Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra (DSSO)

During the 2022-23 season, the dsso will perform 9 programs over 11 concerts at the decc (7 masterworks and 2 pops programs, with each pops concert open to families as part of our casual concert series). As of december 2022, the dsso has more than 1,150 subscribers across all concerts. We added 453 new subscribers this season through our "9 for 90" initative - offering an amazing deal to first-time subscribers after we reconfigured our seating area. Additionally, the dsso supports a robust youth Orchestra program with more than 100 students enrolled each year. The dsso was able to come out of the covid-induced limitations to both audiences and stage musicians in the 2020-21 season to have a very productive 2021-22 season. We were able to return to a mostly normal season, having to change programming for one concert. We were also able to offer six of our nine concerts digitally and for television broadcasts, allowing greater engagement with our community. The dsso returned to a full program of nine mainstage concerts and two casual concerts for the 2021-22 season. We were able to offer six of the nine virtually via partnerships with wdse and storynorth productions, along with the musician's union. Our live audience numbers have been increasing from 500 in attendance at the first concert to more than 1,000 at the last one. The summer of 2022 also saw the dsso revival of its bridge sessions series. This innovative concert concept paired local bands and solo artists with dsso musicians for concerts at the st. louis county depot. With an average attendance of 170 for each event, audiences were energized and enthusiastic with the performances and how the musicians were able to blend together into one ensemble. The dsso has a board of directors that is made up of community members and three musician board members. A minimum of 12 board members and a maximum of 30 are required to govern the organization. The dsso currently has a board of up to 22, 3 of which are musician members from the Orchestra. We have 5 full time paid staff and 8 part time paid staff. The executive director leads the business part of the organization, with our music director setting the artistic tone each season. In addition, the dsso has an all-volunteer chorus that performs at least twice a year with the Orchestra, with 150 to 200 members participating from the community.