Madison Symphony Orchestra League

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Madison Symphony Orchestra League Love the Symphony, Join the League The organization began as the Women’s Committee of the Madison Civic Music Association in June 7, 1956 when founders Mrs.

Helen Marling Supernaw and Mrs. Viola Ward gathered ladies in the home of Mrs. Adolph Bolz to form a group to support the Madison Symphony Orchestra. Based on an idea that they had gleaned while attending an American Symphony Orchestra League convention, the group was by invitation only and limited to 100 women. It wasn’t until twenty years later when president Marian Bolz opened the membership to “anyone desirous of” supporting the MSO. The name was changed to the Madison Symphony Orchestra League as it is known today. In the early years concerts were free, held on Sundays at a local high school and comprised not of professional, paid musicians, but of people in the community who loved making music together. The Women’s Committee provided refreshments at intermission for the orchestra, delivered flowers to performing artists and acted as concert hostesses and greeters. Before the MSO had an Education Director on staff committed volunteers functioned as the education department and designed a docent program to prepare elementary students for attending Fall Youth Concerts. Over the decades the MSOL has raised funds to support the Madison Symphony. Among the creative activities undertaken by the MSOL:

- Sharing members’ recipes in two cookbooks: Composition for Cooking and a sequel, Composition for Cooking Opus II;
- Turning the LaFollette home in Maple Bluff into the first Symphony Designer Showhouse; more than 14 other homes were decorated and opened to the public to benefit the Symphony;
- Modeling the latest fashions at the first Style Show; these Style Shows continued for more than 20 years;
- Transporting music lovers to a virtual Vienna at New Year’s Eve Viennese Balls;
- Creating Concert on the Green a golf tournament, concert and gourmet picnic now in its 23rd year;
- Introducing “Parties of Note,” a series of small, themed parties;
- Launching the John DeMain Award for Outstanding Commitment to Music awarded at the Symphony Gala. Although the world has changed greatly since 1956, what hasn’t changed is the League’s commitment to the Symphony’s artistic, financial and educational mission. The connective thread that weaves through the decades is a passion for music, the joy of the friendships and the sense of community that has come from supporting our Symphony.

Get to know your Madison Symphony Orchestra! What’s your favorite instrument??
10/16/2026

Get to know your Madison Symphony Orchestra! What’s your favorite instrument??

Madison Symphony Orchestra "Home is Where the Art Is" Musician Story: Q&A with Jordan Allen, cello.

Learn about Laura Jackson's debut concert!MSOL Discovery TalkTuesday, October 27, 5:30-7 pmFree benefit for MSOL members...
10/09/2026

Learn about Laura Jackson's debut concert!
MSOL Discovery Talk
Tuesday, October 27, 5:30-7 pm
Free benefit for MSOL members.
Please join us for an enlightening evening where you'll gain insight before the November 6-8 Symphony Orchestra Concert: the debut concert of the MSO’s new Music Director designate, Laura Jackson! Discover how the lives of Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky were entwined with their Piano Concerto No. 2 and Symphony No. 4, and about Carlos Simon’s fun 2019 piece AMEN!, which Maestra Jackson had a hand in commissioning. This Discovery Talk will be led by MSO historian and former MSO trombonist, Dr. J. Michael Allsen at Oakwood Village - University Heights.
https://madisonsymphony.org/ticket/discoverytalk/

🥂 LAST CALL FOR CHEERS! DINNER TICKETS! 🥂Planning to attend the Madison Symphony Orchestra’s Opening Night with Joshua B...
09/12/2026

🥂 LAST CALL FOR CHEERS! DINNER TICKETS! 🥂
Planning to attend the Madison Symphony Orchestra’s Opening Night with Joshua Bell on September 18?
PLEASE NOTE: Concert tickets and dinner tickets are sold separately. 🎻 A concert ticket does not include the dinner.
If you would like to join us for the special “Cheers to Our Second Century” dinner, purchase a separate dinner ticket here:
https://madisonsymphony.org/event/cheers/
🍽️ Dinner • Conversation • Celebration •

Supporting the Madison Symphony Orchestra

Dinner tickets are limited, so don’t wait. Registration closing soon

Enjoy a reception, elegant dinner, and lively conversation with guest artist Joshua Bell immediately following the Opening Night concert.

MSOL Party of NoteOlbrich Botanical Gardens Royal Thai Pavilion September 9, 2026 9:00 - 11:30 a.m.One of Madison’s gre...
08/25/2026

MSOL Party of Note
Olbrich Botanical Gardens Royal Thai Pavilion
September 9, 2026
9:00 - 11:30 a.m.
One of Madison’s greatest treasures is also one of its least-known stories. Tucked inside Olbrich Botanical Gardens is the only authentic Royal Thai Pavilion in the continental United States. Join us for coffee, pastries, and an exclusive presentation by Thai Garden Horticulturist Dan Schuknecht, who will share the remarkable story behind this extraordinary gift from Thailand, its recent restoration, and the beautiful garden that surrounds it.
Register to attend at https://madisonsymphony.org/parties-registration/

We are so excited to welcome you to Madison and the Madison Symphony Orchestra! Glad it was a beautiful day for you! ...
08/25/2026

We are so excited to welcome you to Madison and the Madison Symphony Orchestra! Glad it was a beautiful day for you! 😎🫶

08/10/2026

A Message from New Music Director Designate Laura Jackson of the Madison Symphony Orchestra!

Address

222 W Washington Avenue, Ste 460
Madison, WI
53703

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 12pm

Telephone

+16082573734

Website

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