Darwin Symphony Orchestra
Season 2024
One Thousand and One Nights
A special season opening of mysterious beauty and radiant music
Saturday 23 March, 7.30pm
Darwin Entertainment Centre
Pärt – Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin Britten
Mozart - Symphony No 41
Rimsky-Korsakov – Scheherazade
The last symphony he ever wrote, Mozart’s playful and brilliant 'Jupiter' is regarded as one of the greatest symphonies of all time. Blending emotional depth with incredible inventiveness, this stunning symphony will transport you to another world.
Hear Pärt’s mesmerising and transcendental ‘Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin Britten’ for string orchestra and bell, a moving tribute evoking the admiration he felt for the “rare purity” of Britten’s music.
Finally, experience the epic and exotic world of Rimsky-Korsakov's 'Scheherazade'. Famous for its lush orchestration and vivid storytelling through music, this piece will transport you to legendary cities and mythical lands filled with adventure, romance, and mystery.
Iconic
An unmissable tribute to the most iconic artists of all time
Saturday 22 June, 6.30pm
Darwin Botanic Gardens Amphitheatre
Join DSO for an electrifying anthology of incredible hits! From Elvis to Aretha, Tina Turner to Adele, AC/DC to Beyonce, this unmissable event brings together legends from across the musical universe.
Featuring full symphony orchestra and a front band of amazing local musicians, this is a celebration of great music and incredible Territory talent. Bring a picnic, gather the family and get ready to sing and dance the night away.
Entry by donation.
Iconic is proudly supported by the Northern Territory Government through Northern Territory Major Events Company and the Community Benefit Fund.
Vital Forces
A breathtaking testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit
Saturday 17 August, 7.30pm
Darwin Entertainment Centre
Lee/Mizrahi New Work (World Premiere)
Ledger Signal Lost (NT Premiere)
Chance Through Changing Landscape (NT Premiere)
Prokofiev Symphony No 5
Join Larrakia Senior Elder Dr Aunty Bilawara Lee and NT Composer Netanela Mizrahi for the World Premiere of their stunning new work commemorating the 50th anniversary of the devastating Cyclone Tracy that forever changed Darwin.
Two other incredible Australian works by Alice Chance and James Ledger have their NT debut. Don’t miss Ledger’s Signal Lost, meditating on the moments where communication fails, and Chance’s irresistibly playful tribute to life's journeys.
This is followed by Prokofiev’s Fifth Symphony. Written in the shadow of war in 1944, this incredible work is in turn joyous, reflective, ominous and urgent. Culminating in a brilliant and charged finale, this vital work is not to be missed.
Heroes
Have you got what it takes to save the world and conquer the universe?
Saturday 26 October, 6.30pm
Darwin Entertainment Centre
Don your cape, mount your broomsticks and journey across the cinematic landscape from Valhalla to Middle Earth in this epic musical odyssey.
Hear iconic themes from Hans Zimmer’s Gladiator, John Williams’ Star Wars and Harry Potter, Wagner’s fearsome Ride of the Valkyries, and the tiny but mighty hero Babe by Australian Composer Nigel Westlake. Don’t miss this performance features majestic musical masterpieces celebrating heroes of all shapes and sizes!
This action-packed homage to cinematic and legendary heroes will be an audio-visual spectacular ideal for all ages.
Voyage
Embark on a journey from stormy seas to enchanting tales with two exceptional guest artists
Saturday 7 December, 7.30pm
Darwin Entertainment Centre
Mills Snugglepot & Cuddlepie
Britten Four Sea Interludes
Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No 2
DSO welcomes leading Australian pianist Stefan Cassomenos for a stunning performance of Rachmaninov’s sparkling and exuberant second concerto, one of the greatest works in the piano repertoire.
Special Guest Conductor Richard Mills takes the helm for this performance, sharing highlights from his cherished ballet Snugglepot and Cuddlepie.
Britten’s Four Sea Interludes, taken from his opera Peter Grimes, travels between different scenic locations and the changing moods of its main character in this stormy and dramatic work.
Education Programs
Music for mini maestros
Family Proms
A magical morning of music and mayhem for all ages
Saturday 11 May, 9.30am & 11am
Palmerston Recreation Centre
Calling all junior maestros! DSO’s popular Family Proms is back for an interactive morning of music with the whole orchestra.
Experience the thrill of seeing a whole orchestra up close, listen to the instruments and learn about the different sounds that make up and orchestra, and move and groove along to recognisable classics.
This concert will feature instrument demonstrations by DSO’s Young Artists, as well as a chance to see your favourite instruments up close!
Family Proms is a fun and engaging way to introduce young eyes and ears to the sights, sounds and spectacle of a Symphony Orchestra.
Ideal for ages 0-10
Symphony of Stuff
Kitchen concertos and bathroom beats
Saturday 20 April, 9.30 & 11am
CDU Theatre
There's a wondrous world of music created from ordinary objects found in our homes! DSO Musicians will transform everyday items such as pots, pans, buckets, and brooms into extraordinary instruments, producing household beats that will have you dancing along.
Be inspired to unleash your creativity and make music anywhere and anytime – in the kitchen, bathroom, living room, and even in the laundry!
Ideal for primary school aged children, this fun and interactive show empowers kids to find and make music wherever they are.
Power Up Parade
Here we go!
July
Presented in partnership with City of Palmerston
Get ready to join our Power Up Parade as Darwin Symphony Orchestra's Young Artists goomba groove through Goyder Square playing the theme from Super Mario.
Create a cacophonous instrument by channeling your inner plumber and blow trumpets made from pipes! Or be like Bowser and beat your own drum. After a short rehearsal, you'll proudly parade through Goyder Square playing the iconic Super Mario Bros theme.
No musical experience required, it's all about fun and fandom.
Registration is free, but spots are as limited, so don't delay—reserve your place before it's "game over"!
Museum of Mysteries
A Choreographed Quest for Curious Young Minds
October 2024
Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory
& In schools
Have you ever wanted to explore the secrets of the Museum?
In this exciting new program, primary school children will bring the MAGNT collection to life through dance and music in a unique creative exploration.
Young learners will be guided through curiosities of history, culture, and nature by experts at the Museum, before joining with DSO musicians and Tracks Dance Animateur Spillett to create an exciting new performance inspired by their newfound knowledge.
Combining music and movement, this dynamic experience will spark creativity and inspire children to explore the world around them.
Museum of Mysteries is a new collaboration between Darwin Symphony Orchestra, Tracks Dance Company and the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory. Presented with primary schools across Darwin and Palmerston in October 2024.
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