When it comes to friends, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra (DSO) is really feeling the love thanks to Linda and Mitch Hart. Thanks to the generosity of the Harts over the past 30 years, such programs as the Linda and Mitch Hart Domestic Touring Fund, Linda and Mitch Hart International Touring Fund, Linda and Mitch Hart Young Adult Education Fund, Linda and Mitch Hart Musicians’ Retirement Fund and the naming of the Hart Atrium and Hart Symphony Suites on the lower level of the Meyerson have been created.
In addition to their financial support, Linda has served as chairman of the Dallas Symphony Association (DSA) Board of Governors (1997-2000) and vice chair of the DSA Board of Governors from 2012-2013, as well as being a member of the Dallas Symphony Foundation Board of Directors and an active member of the DSA Council of Past Chairs.
When the Meyerson celebrated its 25th anniversary, Linda and Mitch served on the host committee.
But now, they’ve just added to their list of contributions to the DSO with a $3M gift to “pave the way for DSO’s emergence from a challenging year for live concerts.” This brings the total to a whopping $10M that the Harts have provided for the sound of music.
As Linda explained, “The Dallas Symphony Orchestra is a cornerstone of Dallas’s culture and artistic history. It is important for us to ensure its future for the next generation of patrons and to help nurture the youngest artists in Dallas.”
While such a gift would be amazing in its own right, its timing only shows how the Harts appreciated the impact of the pandemic on the North Texas arts. While they have “contributed $10M to the Dallas Symphony during their lifetime, their latest generosity will propel the DSO’s $100M ‘Your DSO — Excite, Inspire, Engage’ campaign, forward.”
The goal of the campaign is to emerge from the months of limited access and once again showcase the talents of the DSO to a greater range of people.
As DSA Board of Governors Chair Sanjiv Yajnnik put it, “The importance of connecting with one another in creative ways while supporting our community is felt now more than ever. ‘Your DSO – Excite, Inspire, Engage’ will expand access to the DSO’s inspiring musical performances and help the DSO impact the broadest possible audience in DFW and beyond. It is an honor to have Linda and Mitch’s support to bolster this initiative.”
According to Mitch, “We have been inspired by the new DSO leadership team which is transforming the organization. We are pleased to support the work of the Dallas Symphony, and we hope our gift will inspire others to take a closer look at the incredible momentum and groundbreaking work being done at the DSO.”
In recognition of their philanthropy, the Meyerson lobby has been named the Linda and Mitch Hart Lobby.
According to Dallas Symphony Orchestra Ross Perot President/CEO Kim Noltemy, “The past year has been devastating for the arts with a recent DFW survey putting losses in the sector at $95 million. This crucial gift during such a challenging period helps us build on our efforts to creatively serve our community and continue our vital work for the city. We are incredibly grateful for the leadership and devotion of the Harts, who have been instrumental to the success of the Dallas Symphony for decades. Linda and Mitch are among the most generous Dallas Symphony donors, and we are thrilled to be able to recognize them with the naming of the Lobby.”