The idea turned out to be a very good one, and after nine years of performances, the decision was made to establish a full orchestra requiring a name change in 1958 to the Fort Dodge Symphony.

Performances grew in popularity and in 1963, a group of local businesses and citizens decided it was time to organize around the mission of promoting and growing performance opportunities in the Fort Dodge area.

The Fort Dodge Symphony would come to be known as the Fort Dodge Area Symphony. This entity celebrates its 75th concert season this year.

“Fort Dodge is an arts treasure in our state,” said Joshua Barlage, the symphony’s music director and conductor. “Supporting a symphony orchestra for 75 years is no easy feat.”

“I feel privileged to build upon these musical traditions in leading this orchestra into our 75th anniversary season and beyond,” he added.

To honor and celebrate the 75 years of FDAS, Barlage has created another season that includes classical favorites, a world premiere, contemporary pieces including a salute to Broadway, and a showcase that highlights the talents of young Iowa musicians.

With the first concert, “Back to School,” under their collective belt, the Fort Dodge Area Symphony now focuses on the remaining three concerts. Next up is the holiday showcase, “Joy to the World,” featuring selections from Tchaikovsky’s “The Nutcracker,” Wagner’s “Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral,” and other favorites filled with the spirit of the season, including the traditional encore of “Sleigh Ride.”

Barlage always likes to invite audience members onstage for the finale. Who will it be this year? Join the Symphony on Dec. 8 to find out.

On Feb. 23, the Symphony will welcome Des Moines-based vocalist Gina Gedler for “Best of Broadway!” Truly a “best of” concert, it will include selections from

classics like “Fiddler on the Roof,” “West Side Story,” and “The Music Man,” to name a few, as well as more recent hits like “Wicked” and “Sunset Blvd.” This program has been a long time in the making, and sharing it in celebration of the 75th concert season is intentional.

The season concludes with the Young Artist concert, “Pictures at an Exhibition.” This concert features the winners of the 58th annual Young Artists Competition held in January. On the program is the “Overture of the Maygreen Sprite” composed by 16-year-old Iowa composer Adalyn Sidon. The music commences at 2:15 p.m. April 6 with the Youth Honors Recital, followed at 3 p.m. with the Symphony concert.

Reflecting on this concert season and his time with the Symphony, Barlage said personal highlights include performing with bluegrass group Ortonville Circus and well-known brass quintet Jive for Five, collaborating with the Fort Dodge Choral Society and the Senior High A Capella on “Faure’s Requiem” and, most recently, presenting the world premiere of Matthew Kennedy’s Symphony No. 2.

“And, I feel that our Orchestra’s commitment to sponsoring a Young Artists Competition speaks to the core of our mission,” he said, “Since its inception in 1966, we have nurtured the musical development of 217 young musicians born or studying in Iowa.”

Please join the Symphony this season as it celebrates 75 years of dedication to the mission of promoting and growing performance opportunities in the Fort Dodge area. Paul Franklin and the founding string musicians would be proud of what their vision has become.

All Symphony performances are held in the Fort Dodge Middle School Auditorium, 800 N. 32nd St., at 3 p.m.. Admission is by season pass (available for purchase at Rieman Music-Fort Dodge) or individual concert ticket available for

purchase at the door. Students and children are admitted free of charge with an adult.

FDAS 75th Concert Season ~ Remaining Concerts

Joy to the World

Dec. 8, 2024, 3pm

FDMS Auditorium

Best of Broadway!

Feb. 23, 2025, 3pm

FDMS Auditorium

Pictures at an Exhibition

April 6, 2025, 3pm

Youth Honors Recital

2:15pm

FDMS Auditorium