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Dana Oakes, trumpet

Oct 24 2018

Dana attended the New England Conservatory in Boston, where his teachers included Robert Nagel, and Charles Schlueter. He was awarded a performance degree with distinction in 1982.Some of his first professional work during school was with Sarah Caldwell and the Opera Company of Boston, cutting his teeth on many of the operatic workhorses by Puccini, Verdi, Bernstein and numerous contemporaries.

He currently holds positions in the Boston Ballet Orchestra, the Portland Maine Symphony, the Boston Philharmonic, and is principal trumpet of the Boston Landmarks Orchestra, a mostly summer schedule group that plays every concert free to the public. Dana was solo trumpet of Gunther Schuller’s New England Ragtime Ensemble, as well as Boston Musica Viva.

Other groups include the Rhode Island Philharmonic, Albany Symphony, Boston Lyric Opera, Boston Modern Orchestra Project (BMOP), and Chorus Pro Musica.

Dana can be heard on numerous soundtracks for PBS and A&E as both background musician and soloist.

He is adjunct faculty at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, MIT, and The Boston Conservatory.

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Your PSO returns to Seaside Pavilion in Old Orchard Beach for our Summer Series and the culmination of our epic 100th season.

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Never been to a symphony before? Don’t worry, we’re here to help

Find the answers to all the questions about the orchestra you may be too afraid to ask!

Read our First Timer’s Guide

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Bring your class to a youth concert

Coming in 2026…The Portland Symphony Orchestra partners with Carnegie Hall to present Link Up: The Orchestra Moves! Link Up is a fully participatory, school-day concert program. Students will fill Merrill Auditorium to sing, play recorders, move, and listen along with the symphony from their seats. This program is designed for students in grades 3-6 but all are welcome and encouraged to participate!

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An Extraordinary Evening with the Portland Symphony Orchestra

Forte, our must-attend annual fundraiser, is just around the corner! Save the date Thursday, June 12th for an unforgettable evening of live performances, cocktails, gourmet treats, and an exciting live auction. Tickets, tables, and sponsorship opportunities are on sale now!

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Meet the PSO’s Music Director

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