Daegu Symphony Orchestra

Founded in 1964, the Daegu Symphony Orchestra (DSO) is a leading arts organization of Daegu, which is recognized as a UNESCO Creative City of Music.

Throughout its 60-year history, the DSO has used its wide-ranging repertoire—which includes everything from the classics to contemporary pieces—and innovative techniques and designs to contribute to the advancement and distribution of classical music within Korea.
To expand Korea’s classical music fan base, the DSO presents diverse performances year-round that are consistently popular with citizens, including: the regular concert, which is grounded in an authentic classical repertoire; the special concert; Citizen Happiness Concert and Concert on Wheels, designed to make cultural pursuits more accessible to all; the Young Artist Concert and Rising Artist Concert, to discover teen and university-aged talent; and events that make music fun and easy for youth to enjoy (e.g. School Concert, Classroom Concert).
 

Overseas activity began in 2010 with concerts in Tokyo and Osaka.

In 2011, the DSO began gaining visibility by performing at Asia Orchestra Week in Tokyo as the Korean representative for the opening concert. In 2015, it performed in Hiroshima for “Daegu Day” as well as for the 50th anniversary of Korea-Japan diplomatic relations. In 2016, the DSO embarked on a European tour of three countries: Germany (Philharmonie Berlin), Czech Republic (Smetana Hall, Municipal House), and Austria (Musikverein).

In September 2025, the orchestra strengthened its exchanges with major Japanese cities through a tour of Fukuoka, Hiroshima, and Osaka for Japan’s World Orchestra Festival, which was held in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of Korea-Japan diplomatic relations. It also continues to be active domestically via invitations to feature in Seoul Arts Center’s Orchestra Festival and many other major music festivals and concert halls.
 

The DSO is permanently based in Daegu Concert House, a venue exclusively designed for classical music that was reopened in November 2013 after extensive renovations.

In October 2023, Baek Jin-hyoun was inducted as the 11th principal conductor and music director. Baek’s leadership and passion for music is bringing high-quality classical music to places all over the country.