Madison Symphony Orchestra League

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.

04/09/2026

Chris Allen provided the MSOL an exciting preview of the weekend Madison Symphony concert! Join us!

04/09/2026

Looking forward to great concert! Hope to see you there!

04/09/2026

Chris Allen provide a taste of what you will hear at the Madison Symphony Orchestra weekend concert! Chris and local instrumentalists from the Madison Classical Guitar Society will be performing in the Overture Hall Lobby.

Friday evening (6:45-7:15 p.m.) - Tom Nauman and Christopher Allen
Saturday evening (6:46-7:15 p.m.)- Gabor Szava and students
Sunday afternoon (1:15-1:45 p.m.) - Matt Ackerman and Katie Hanson

The MSOL Music Discovery Talk with Chris Allen yesterday provided a wonderful backdrop for the Madison Symphony Orchestr...
04/09/2026

The MSOL Music Discovery Talk with Chris Allen yesterday provided a wonderful backdrop for the Madison Symphony Orchestra weekend concert. Chris spoke about Joaquin Rodrigo and his music, the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, the local Madison Classical Guitar Society, and performed on his classical guitar.

MSOL's Award-winning Parties of Note are off to a great start this year with the kick-off event, Taft Violins: Madison’s...
04/06/2026

MSOL's Award-winning Parties of Note are off to a great start this year with the kick-off event, Taft Violins: Madison’s Violin Experts. We have a couple of parties planned for April and May that will be just as amazing and you won't want to miss this opportunity to support the Madison Symphony Orchestra Education and Community Engagement programs. Consider joining us at the following PON: Weaving Workshop with Lauren Paul at the Textile Arts Center – April 19, 2026 and Finding your Family History at the Wisconsin Historical Society – May 11, 2026
Register TODAY!
https://madisonsymphony.org/parties-registration/

Madison has been truly blessed by John DeMain and we will miss his energy, drive for excellence, and the joy he demonstr...
04/06/2026

Madison has been truly blessed by John DeMain and we will miss his energy, drive for excellence, and the joy he demonstrates each time he takes the stage.

MADISON — The Madison Symphony Orchestra is celebrating a century of music with a bittersweet milestone as longtime Music Director John DeMain prepares to step down after more than three

Congratulations on a wonderful performance!
04/06/2026

Congratulations on a wonderful performance!

Searching for Volunteers - On Saturday, June 13, and Sunday, June 14, the Madison Symphony Orchestra will host an ALL-FR...
04/02/2026

Searching for Volunteers - On Saturday, June 13, and Sunday, June 14, the Madison Symphony Orchestra will host an ALL-FREE, two-day Centennial Festival Weekend at the Overture Center. With 25 hours of music, 50+ artists, and performances across 5 stages, it promises to be an unforgettable celebration of 100 years together in music.

To ensure everything runs smoothly, we are seeking enthusiastic volunteers for a variety of roles. Most involve greeting and directing guests and require standing or moving around during your shift. Volunteers will receive a t-shirt to wear during their shift, and as a thank-you, it’s yours to keep.

You’ll find all the details—including volunteer roles, time commitments, and training information—on our SignUpGenius page. Signing up is quick and easy:

👉 https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0448ACAA2CA3F4C25-62582737-centennial
(Check your spam folder if you don't receive a sign-up notification email after signing up.)

Whether you can give a few hours or more, your time and energy will make a meaningful difference. And of course, we hope you’ll also take time to enjoy the festival!

If you have any questions about signing up, please reach out to [email protected].

REQUEST FOR VOLUNTEERS The Madison Symphony Orchestra’s 100th Anniversary Celebration is in full swing! The culmination of this extraordinary year will be a FREE two-day festival weekend, featuring 25 hours of music, more than 50 artists, and performances across five stages at the Overture Center ...

02/11/2026

Take your valentine out to the Madison Symphony Orchestra!

01/24/2026

Join us in enjoying the Madison Symphony Orchestra!

01/01/2026

Happy New Year! Surprise someone special with tickets to the MSO and join us to celebrate great music in 2026!

Sharing some of our very merry MSOL Holiday Party pictures at Maple Bluff Country Club! This has become a cherished eve...
12/17/2025

Sharing some of our very merry MSOL Holiday Party pictures at Maple Bluff Country Club! This has become a cherished event for MSOL members and guests!

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

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