President's Message

Thank you for being part of the Daytona Beach Symphony Society’s 60th anniversary season. Over the decades we have presented such artists as Van Cliburn, Eugene Ormandy, Itzhak Perlman, Marion Anderson, Roberta Peters, André Watts, Pinchas Zuckerman, James Galway, Sarah Chang and Joshua Bell. World-renowned orchestras such as the Cleveland Orchestra, Orpheus, National Philharmonic of Russia, Pittsburgh Symphony, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields and the Boston Pops have given memorable performances at the Peabody Auditorium.

We pay tribute to our beginning, so many decades ago. In 1952 a small group of music lovers, headed by the late publisher of the Daytona Beach News-Journal Mr. Julius Davidson, saw a need to “foster and promote musical works.” The community leaders realized that a significant cultural base was vital to the growth and development of our area. That vision resulted in the formation of the Daytona Beach Symphony Society, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to enriching the area with a wide range of musical and cultural programs.

From John P. Evans, the first president of the Symphony Society, to the present, we are committed to reach as many people as possible through great performances, music education and special events. We begin our 60th year with the dedication of all of you who attend our concerts, the hard work of our Board of Directors and Artistic Advisory Council, and the Symphony Guild with its hundreds of volunteers.

I hope you enjoy the season.

Signed:
Skip Diegel
President

Mission Statement
The mission of the Daytona Beach Symphony Society is to bring the excitement of classical and modern music, dance and opera to the widest possible audience. We inspire and encourage the students of Volusia County to develop an appreciation for music. By bringing the highest quality national and international symphonic orchestras and soloists to Volusia County we generate an awareness and appreciation of music, dance and opera for all residents and visitors.