Classical music can seem daunting to some first-time concertgoers, but there’s no reason to stress. We at the Delaware Symphony want you to be able to relax and enjoy the music, and make your visit exiting and memorable. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about our concerts: 

 

Have any other questions? Give us a call or send an email using the form on this page, and we'll be happy to answer them for you!

Why?

“Art and life are not two separate things.”

Felix Mendelssohn, German composer and conductor.

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The Delaware Symphony Orchestra is dedicated to enriching lives through inspiring musical experiences.  It will be valued and praised for performances that inspire, enrich, and enlighten the lives of audiences everywhere. The DSO’s core values are: Building and Sustaining Trust; Commitment to Quality; Access for All; Curiosity, Openmindedness, and Exploration; and Fiscal Responsibility.

Classical music helps bring communities together.  It is not static and is ever evolving.  It embraces the world around it and serves as a reflection of the times.  Once perceived as entertainment only for the wealthy, classical music now serves an inclusive and diverse audience. 

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“Unfortunately the work of a woman composer is preconceived by many to be light, froth, lacking in depth, logic and virility. Add to that the incident of race—I have Colored blood in my veins—and you will understand some of the difficulties that confront one in such a position.”

Florence Price, 1943, female African American composer

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Increasing the accessibility of classical music and opportunities for musicians, composers, and conductors, as noted by Florence Price over 75 years ago, has not been easy and mirrors our own societal progress.  The Delaware Symphony Orchestra is committed to this endeavor, recognizing the importance of its place within the community.

The impact of professional arts groups on a community is great—important in attracting a high-level workforce, maintaining a vital downtown or arts district, and contributing economically to the community.

Yes – The DSO offers a multifaceted educational program:

  • Explorer Concerts: Concerts held each May in Copeland Hall and downstate, designed for students in grades 3-5 grade levels—often their very first live concert experiences—currently in conjunction with the educational arm of Carnegie Hall. The concerts involve the students not only in listening, but performing.
  • Other educational programs are the innovative “Math and Music” program for fourth graders, combining music with Math learning (fractions);
  • Build the Orchestra for middle school strings students, master classes by visiting soloists, and open dress rehearsals.
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