Dakota Valley Symphony and Chorus

Celebrating 36 years of bringing quality orchestral and choral performances to the south metro.

The Dakota Valley Symphony and Chorus is a nonprofit, volunteer community arts organization based in Dakota County. The organization was created in 1986 to provide an opportunity for musicians to perform and to provide quality musical experiences primarily for residents of the south suburban Twin Cities area, including Burnsville, Eagan, Prior Lake, Savage, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Shakopee, and Hastings. The Symphony began as a small chamber orchestra and has grown into a full 60-member symphony orchestra, a 40-member mixed chorus and a 90-member Summer Pops orchestra and chorus. 

The orchestra is under the direction of founder and music director Stephen J. Ramsey.  Our regular season is performed in the beautiful Ames Center in Burnsville, MN, and provides a wide variety of repertoire for audiences to engage in, including symphonic works, chamber music, premiere works, Broadway, jazz, and pops. Our summer pops performances take place in area parks each July. These free, family friendly performances brings in thousands of listeners each summer. Beyond concerts, our volunteer musicians also perform at businesses and senior living facilities throughout the south metro.