The Dallas Chamber Symphony accomplishes its mission by presenting diverse, innovative concerts involving dance, film, narration, and new music for audiences in the intimate setting of the Moody Performance Hall, and entertaining, educational concerts in community venues where they live, learn, and heal.
Since its inception, the DCS has received excellent reviews from music critics: Scott Cantrell praised the 2017 season finale for the "fully engaged, shapely performances" of the orchestra and virtuosity of several orchestra soloists (Dallas Morning News, 4/19/2017). The chamber orchestra's innovative programming earned the ensemble successive annual "Best of" reviews from major media outlets, including the Dallas Observer, D Magazine, Modern Luxury Magazine, and Theater Jones (which declared the recent sold out, multi-media production "Metropolis" one of the year's top three productions). From this foundation, the DCS has grown exponentially, engaging over 54,000 annually through expanding programs and new music (the orchestra has premiered 27+ commissions within the past six years). In addition to subscription season concerts at Moody Performance Hall, the Dallas Chamber Symphony offers local and visiting audiences:
- the Dallas International Piano Competition (est. 2012, co-hosted by Southern Methodist University; www.DallasIPC.org),
- TechNotes Youth Education (est. 2013; recognized by National Public Radio for engaging thousands of underserved youth),
- the Sight of Sound film festival (est. 2014; now included in the curriculum at notable film schools; www.SightofSound.org),
- "UnSilent" film screenings with live orchestra (established by DCS through regular commissions),
- DCS Live! Outreach (est. 2015; serving all members of the community where they live, work, and heal), and
- Twist on Risk concerts designed with Dallas County Juvenile Department to encourage positive character development.