About Us
Who Are We? The Des Moines Community Orchestra (DMCO) is composed of musicians whose love of music brings them together to perform great symphonic works, both new and old.
DMCO is deeply committed to making classical music concerts free for everyone and does not charge admission for its regular season concerts. Donations from our audience help sustain the orchestra and allow us to continue this tradition.
We invite you to come experience our love of music firsthand by attending our concerts, or by sitting in with the orchestra for our dress rehearsal. We invite students of all ages to come and sit with us on stage during dress rehearsals and experience what it is like to play in an orchestra - contact our DMCO Board President, Dr. Kevin Allemagne.
Donate
Concert Schedule
DMCO is deeply committed to making classical music concerts free for everyone and does not charge admission for its regular season concerts. Donations from our audience help sustain the orchestra and allow us to continue this tradition.
We invite you to come experience our love of music firsthand by attending our concerts, or by sitting in with the orchestra for our dress rehearsal. We invite students of all ages to come and sit with us on stage during dress rehearsals and experience what it is like to play in an orchestra - contact our DMCO Board President, Dr. Kevin Allemagne.
Donate
Concert Schedule
Mission
Organized in 1976, the Des Moines Community Orchestra provides opportunities for local amateur and semiprofessional musicians to perform varying styles of classical and popular music, and share their love of music with the public through live performances and collaborations with community organizations benefiting the central Iowa region.
Conductors and History
Current Conductors:
The Des Moines Community Orchestra is currently conducting a search for their next conductor, which will be selected during the Summer of 2026. The DMCO has three guest conductor candidates for the Fall, Winter, and Spring concerts during the 2025-2026 concert season. Please check our website for updated concert information throughout our 2025-2026 season.
Check out the PDF files below to learn more about the history of the DMCO:
Past Conductors:
Janice Wade
Rod Sharpe
Richard Gerstenberger
Carl Johnson
DMCO Background and History
The Des Moines Community Orchestra is currently conducting a search for their next conductor, which will be selected during the Summer of 2026. The DMCO has three guest conductor candidates for the Fall, Winter, and Spring concerts during the 2025-2026 concert season. Please check our website for updated concert information throughout our 2025-2026 season.
Check out the PDF files below to learn more about the history of the DMCO:
Past Conductors:
Janice Wade
Rod Sharpe
Richard Gerstenberger
Carl Johnson
DMCO Background and History
DMCO PARTNERSHIPS
Iowa Public Television- The DMCO has performed its Fall Concert in conjunction with Iowa PBS for several years. DMCO is proud of the partnership and the extra educational opportunities it has provided for concert goers of all ages!
Tallgrass Theatre Company produces a live Broadway Musical in the Summertime and collaborates with the Des Moines Community Orchestra for providing live music for the show. Check out their performance schedule at: Tallgrass Theatre Company – West Des Moines' Community Theatre