Dunedin Symphony Orchestra

03/06/2026

🎉 NOW ON SALE! 🎉

Join the DSO for **Kiri & Lou – A Family Concert**, where the beloved world of Kiri & Lou comes alive through the magic of a LIVE orchestra!

Bring the whole whānau on a heartwarming adventure filled with friendship, imagination, storytelling and music. This is more than a show – it's a chance to experience Kiri & Lou live before it reaches the big screen.

🦕 Perfect for children, parents and grandparents
🎻 Live orchestra
❤️ Fun for the whole family

🎟 Tickets on sale now! Visit www.dso.org.nz to book online.
Book today and don't miss this magical family experience.

03/06/2026

We are looking forward to welcoming conductor Brent Stewart back to Ōtepoti Dunedin and cellist soloist Inbal Megiddo performing the world première 'Cello Concert' by local composer Anthony Ritchie :)

DSO 60th 'Beethoven, Ritchie and Fauré'

29/05/2026

Step into performances of powerful live music with the us — featuring the world première of Anthony Ritchie’s new 'Cello Concerto' with cello soloist Inbal Meggido, alongside Fauré and Beethoven’s electrifying 'Seventh Symphony'.

Music to lift the spirit!

🎟 Now on sale.

27/05/2026

🎶 60 years of music, community, and inspiration 🎶

As the DSO celebrates our 60th anniversary, our 2025 Annual Report reflects a remarkable year of artistic excellence, growing audiences, and meaningful community impact.

From world-class performances in Ōtepoti Dunedin to inspiring thousands of young people through music education and outreach, the DSO continues to play a vital role in the cultural life of our city and beyond.

Read the full story below and explore the highlights of an extraordinary year in our expanded blog article on the DSO website. 🎻✨

Dunedin Symphony Orchestra

26/05/2026

Well over a thousand people filled the Dunedin Centre & Dunedin Town Hall for 'Mahler’s Resurrection - DSO and New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Unite' concert on Friday 15 May. One of the most encouraging insights from the audience data was the strong attendance from younger people, students and families.

🎶 118 student tickets
🎶 Families, school students and young musicians strongly represented
🎶 Audience members travelled from across New Zealand including Cantebury, Wellington and Auckland to experience this extraordinary performance.
Thank you Dunedin — and beyond — for supporting live orchestral music at this scale.

21/05/2026

Some photos from the pre-concert activities at 'Mahler's 'Resurrection' concert last Friday.

Our naming sponsor Naylor Love hosted a lovely pre-concert event for staff, while Professor Anthony Ritchie’s pre-concert talk drew an overflow audience.

All in all, a truly memorable evening celebrating music, community, and the incredible power of Mahler’s masterpiece.

One of the many wonderful feedback emails we received was from Sarah Michell:

“What an amazing evening last night: stupendous sound, so many magical moments all produced by outstandingly good, world-class musicians. I can’t even begin to imagine the logistics behind putting on such a performance … and it all appeared to work seamlessly, like clockwork! Congratulations and thank you for an unforgettable evening.”

20/05/2026

What an extraordinary bond spanning decades between the University of Otago School of Performing Arts and the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra. As the Music School prepares to celebrate its 100th year in September, alongside the DSO’s 60th anniversary this year, the connection between our organisations was beautifully reflected in Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony.
The concert opened with Anthony Ritchie’s powerful new fanfare Kotahitanga — meaning “to unite”. Anthony has long been part of the fabric of the School of Performing Arts as composition lecturer and former Head of School.
The performance also highlighted the remarkable contribution of SPA staff, alumni and students: internationally acclaimed soprano Anna Leese Soprano, former voice student and lecturer at SPA where she obtained her DMA; Neil Favell, Otago University brass teacher, leading the horns; Nick Cornish leading the oboes; Emily Sterk performing the E-flat clarinet; and first-year trumpet student Mei Admiraal performing both on and off stage.
A wonderful celebration of collaboration, mentorship and musical excellence across generations.