The orchestra raised a record $12.2 million in its annual-giving campaign, an amount greatly helped by a $1.5 million challenge grant from board chair Jim Nicholson, former board chair Peter Cummings, and Sam Frankel.

In August, the orchestra reported increased attendance and ticket sales for 2004-05.

The DSO still faces financial challenges. The past two seasons have seen the orchestra's expenses severely limited, including a pay cut for musicians, in order to address a $2.2 million deficit. This season, the musicians' salaries increase by a total of nearly $1 million, and their current contract runs out after the 2005-06 season.