LATEST NEWS

The latest stories, updates and information from Darwin Symphony Orchestra.

Symphony of the Soul: Jon Tooby’s Grand Finale Performance with Darwin Symphony Orchestra

18 November 2025

Darwin Symphony Orchestra’s 2025 season will conclude with a spectacular grand finale and a heartfelt farewell to Artistic Director and Chief Conductor, Jonathan Tooby. This special concert will be a joyful yet poignant celebration of Jon’s remarkable artistic vision and his transformative contribution to DSO over the past several years.  This concert promises a thrilling journey through…

Soloist Spotlight: Rob Llewellyn

17 November 2025

Rob Llewellyn’s musical career spans performances with the Sydney, Melbourne, Queensland, and Tasmanian Symphony Orchestras, Opera Australia, and the Australian Ballet. He has collaborated with world-renowned artists including Vladimir Ashkenazy, Simone Young, Nigel Kennedy, Charles Dutoit, Jaap van Zweden, Dame Joan Sutherland, John Farnham, The Whitlams, Sarah Blasko, and The Wiggles. A career highlight was…

A world premiere of Wuyal’s Journey headlines Darwin Symphony Orchestra’s Darwin Festival performance Heaven and Earth 

24 July 2025

The Darwin Symphony Orchestra (DSO) is excited to announce the world premiere of Wuyal’s Journey, as part of their forthcoming concert Heaven and Earth, presented in collaboration with the Darwin Festival and supported by Charles Darwin University, their First Nations Lead Sponsor.  This landmark performance showcases a powerful collaboration between DSO Composer in Residence Netanela Mizrahi and Rirratjiŋu songman Banula Marika, bringing to life the story of Wuyal, the Sugarbag Man – an ancestral being from…

From the Archives: Darwin Pops Orchestra

21 February 2025

DSO Life Member Kevin Davis AM sat down with us to share about the story behind the Darwin Pops Orchestra In 1991, Kevin Davis was Deputy Vice Chancellor of the previous Northern Territory University, which we now know as Charles Darwin University. At the time, the government tasked 12 universities with attracting international students to…

In the Spotlight: Clare Gorton

21 January 2025

We sat down with DSO’s new Principal Viola, Clare Gorton. Clare is from Melbourne and has now been in Darwin since 2021. She is a high school teacher who in her spare time plays and performs with DSO. This year she landed the job as Principal Viola. What drew you to the Viola?  I started…

Musician Spotlight: Toby Koefoed

28 November 2023

Toby Koeford is a talented violinist and DSO Young Artist Program (YAP) graduate, now performing alongside Darwin Symphony Orchestra. Toby has been with DSO’s Young Artist Program since 2021 after moving to Darwin from Melbourne. How did you come to be a part of DSO’s Young Artists Program (YAP)? How many years have you been…

DSO Resident Conductor Stephen Pevely takes the stage for Other Worlds

05 October 2023

On October 28th, DSO will take the stage for an incredible and immersive concert that will take audience members on an exciting and colourful journey through some of film, TV and gaming’s most iconic landscapes.

DSO Resident Conductor Stephen Pevely will guide the orchestra through a program of exciting, dramatic and moving works that will be instantly recognisable by audience members of all ages.
In less than 2 weeks’ time, she will be stepping out in front of the orchestra for the first time to perform Brett Dean’s stunningly mysterious and incredibly virtuosic ‘Siduri Dances’ in DSO’s Darwin Festival concert, Destiny and Desire.

Introducing our new Chairperson, Claire Kilgariff

07 September 2023

Claire has been part of Darwin Symphony Orchestra since the beginning, initially joining the Darwin Concert Band, and eventually the Darwin String Ensemble in 1979, and growing with the organisation until the Orchestra was formally assembled in 1988. 

In less than 2 weeks’ time, she will be stepping out in front of the orchestra for the first time to perform Brett Dean’s stunningly mysterious and incredibly virtuosic ‘Siduri Dances’ in DSO’s Darwin Festival concert, Destiny and Desire.

Soloist Spotlight: Tania Watts

10 August 2023

Tania Watts is DSO’s multi-talented, musical gem. Not only is she Principal Flute, but also DSO’s Orchestra and Operations Manager. 

In less than 2 weeks’ time, she will be stepping out in front of the orchestra for the first time to perform Brett Dean’s stunningly mysterious and incredibly virtuosic ‘Siduri Dances’ in DSO’s Darwin Festival concert, Destiny and Desire.

Behind the Scenes with Kieran Hurley

16 May 2023

Have you ever wondered how our orchestra transforms all your favourite pop and rock classics into stunning orchestral arrangements for our Amphitheatre concerts each year?

Kieran Hurley is DSO’s mastermind behind these wonderful arrangements. Read on to learn about Kieran’s job as a professional music arranger and the process involved in getting all this fantastic music ready for our musicians to perform at DSO Rhythm of the 90s concert!