Dallas Symphony Orchestra Announces $25 Million Challenge Grant From The O’Donnell Foundation

Grant Launches $100 Million Phase II of the Your DSO – Excite, Inspire, Engage Campaign

Marena and Roger Gault Announced as Chairs

DALLAS, TEXAS (May 11, 2023) – Today the Dallas Symphony Orchestra announced a $25 million challenge grant from the O’Donnell Foundation that will launch Su DSO - Excite, Inspire, Engage, Phase II, a $100 million philanthropic endeavor for the DSO’s endowment that will ensure that residents from across Dallas have access to the DSO’s inspiring concert performances and life-changing education programs for generations to come. The $100 million goal will position the DSO as a leader in artistic excellence, music education and social innovation in the community. The campaign will launch and sustain the key initiatives of the organization’s 2022-2025 strategic plan including Artistic Excellence, Education Program Expansion, Revitalization of the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center y Audience Development and Growth.

Los partidarios de la Sinfónica de Dallas Marena y Roger Gault are chairing Su DSO - Excite, Inspire, Engage...y... Morton H. Meyerson is the honorary chair. The Gaults have a long history of commitment to the organization, beginning with their involvement with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League. Marena served as the DSO League President from 2011-2012 and is a member of the Dallas Symphony’s Board of Governors. Roger is a member of the Dallas Symphony’s Executive Board and Chair-Elect of the DSA Board of Governors, and the Gaults served as the Chairs of the DSO’s 2016 Gala. Their efforts have led to record fundraising results and have had lasting benefits for the DSO in bringing new supporters and new audiences to the organization.

“In our vision to become one of the world’s greatest orchestras, the DSO is simultaneously ensuring that Dallas continues to cultivate a thriving classical music scene,” said Cece Smith, DSA Chairman of the Board of Governors. “This initiative will impact the lives of people across North Texas for years to come, and I am honored that Marena and Roger will play leading roles in this work, as they have long believed in the power of music in transforming communities.”

"Estamos encantados de dirigir esta campaña para la DSO", dijo Marena Gault. "La organización ha significado mucho para nosotros, y sus músicos, personal y mecenas son como una familia".

“The growth and vitality of Dallas depend on cultural organizations such as the Dallas Symphony,” said Roger Gault. “It is our honor to work to secure its future and ensure the viability and impact of these important new programs for future generations.”

Your DSO – Excite, Inspire, Engage, Phase II, will support the strategic direction of the Dallas Symphony.

Artistic Excellence: The DSO will continue to be recognized nationally and internationally for its performances and programming. We will deliver a comprehensive marketing and public relations strategy, professionally produced recorded concerts and expanded media projects. In addition, the orchestra will tour around the world, and, at home, we will ensure that the ensemble includes top talent and the best instruments.

Education Program Expansion: The Young Strings and Young Musicians programs provide free instruments and lessons to over 700 students each year. The DSO will increase the number of students in those programs.

Revitalization of the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center: The Meyerson is one of the most iconic and acoustically significant concert halls in the world. We will ensure the building is impeccably maintained and enjoyed by as many Dallas citizens as possible.

Audience Development and Growth: The DSO will continue to build our presence throughout the community with concerts outside of the Meyerson, including DSO Cares, DSO on the Go, the Concert Truck and other events, while also ensuring that we are reaching broader and more diverse audiences and having a positive impact on the people who come to the Meyerson.

“This is a period of tremendous change and incredible growth in Dallas and at the DSO,” said Kim Noltemy, DSA Ross Perot President & CEO. “We invite the citizens of Dallas to assist us in building financial sustainability that will ensure that the Dallas Symphony grows and enhances our community impact now and in the future.”

SOBRE LA ORQUESTA SINFÓNICA DE DALLAS
The Dallas Symphony Orchestra, under the leadership of Music Director Fabio Luisi, presents more than 150 orchestra concerts at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, one of the world’s top-rated concert halls. As the largest performing arts organization in the Southwest, the DSO is committed to inspiring the broadest possible audience with distinctive classical programs, inventive pops concerts and innovative multi-media presentations. As part of its commitment to the community, the orchestra reaches hundreds of thousands of adults and children annually through performances, educational programs and community outreach initiatives. The orchestra offers more than 200 free chamber concerts throughout Dallas each year, as well as continuing music lessons to more than 700 students as part of its Young Strings and Young Musicians programs.

The Dallas Symphony has used digital and broadcast media to share music beyond its geographic boundaries and has become a leader among American orchestras in digital distribution. The DSO also captures and streams concert performances for distribution online through its Next Stage Digital Concert Series, Presented by PNC Bank. Programs are available on the DSO’s website at watch.dallassymphony.org.

La DSO tiene una tradición que se remonta a 1900 y es una piedra angular del exclusivo distrito artístico de 118 acres del centro de Dallas, que alberga múltiples salas de artes escénicas, museos y parques, el mayor distrito de este tipo en el país. La DSO se financia, en parte, con fondos de la Oficina de Arte y Cultura de la ciudad de Dallas.

ENDOWMENT CONTACT:
Terry D. Loftis | Chief Advancement and Revenue Officer

214.871.4516 | t.loftis@dalsym.com

CONTACTO CON LOS MEDIOS DE COMUNICACIÓN:
Denise McGovern | Vicepresidenta de Comunicación y Medios | Orquesta Sinfónica de Dallas
214.718.7094 | d.mcgovern@dalsym.com