2026 DSO 60th Anniversary Concert Series – Subscribe Now

We’re thrilled to put the spotlight on some of the people who have helped to shape the DSO. Of particular importance is Jack Speirs, one of the orchestra’s first Musical Directors until 1989, and it’s a real pleasure to perform his ‘Fanfare’. We welcome back Nicholas Braithwaite (Principal Guest Conductor: 1997 to 2006), and Principal Guest Conductor James Judd will conduct two of our International Series concerts. Other returning conductors are Australian Umberto Clerici and New Zealander Brent Stewart.

Our illustrious soloists include artists who have performed with us for all their professional lives. Flutist Bridget Douglas, bass baritone Jonathan Lemalu and soprano Anna Leese. Pianist Michael Houstoun also makes a welcome return.

Our performance partner for all 60 years has been City Choir Dunedin and they join us for the spectacular Symphony No. 2 by Mahler.

2026 marks another very important anniversary for music in Dunedin: the 100th anniversary of the University of Otago’s School of Music. Three instrument lecturers will perform as soloists in Beethoven’s ‘Triple Concerto’: violinist Tessa Petersen (also DSO’s Concertmaster), cellist Heleen du Plessis (also DSO’s Principal Cello), and pianist Terence Dennis. DSO will also perform two world premières of composition lecturer Anthony Ritchie, one of which is his Cello Concerto (with soloist Wellingtonian Inbal Megiddo).

We’ll also present our full range of community outreach and education projects: from DSO Academy for younger players through to several collaborations with the University.

From the growth in our audiences, outreach project participants, sponsors, funders, donors and volunteers, it’s clear that our orchestra is meeting a real need in our community. We are so grateful for everyone’s support which really does make a difference; we wouldn’t be here without you.

We invite you to join our celebrations!