“Symphonic music provides immense value to the human condition as it offers profound emotional and intellectual experiences. . . It bridges cultural divides, fosters community identity, provides therapeutic benefits, and offers a timeless exploration of human struggles and triumphs,” said J. David Arnott, Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra (DSSO) Executive Director and Director of Orchestra Operations.
“As a professional orchestra, the DSSO provides a wide variety of the highest quality programming from Beethoven to Star Wars,” he added. “For a community the size of the Twin Ports to have such an ensemble in their midst is truly exceptional.”
Besides his administrative duties, Arnott plays the viola for the DSSO.
He is also a working musician and conductor, playing gigs in the Twin Cities and conducting the Northshore Philharmonic Orchestra, the Twin Ports community orchestra. He will be conducting The Nutcracker with the Minnesota Ballet in December.
“When I have time, I work for Local 32, the Duluth chapter of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. Working as a stagehand has been an extremely valuable learning experience in my capacity as DSSO Director of Operations. It cured me of my fear of heights,” he said.
In addition to playing the viola for a number of musical operations, including in Texas, Illinois, Alabama, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, Arnott has conducted, been a concertmaster, and directed youth orchestras for a number of music organizations. He has served as Past President of the Minnesota Viola Society and has been a member of a number of professional music organizations.
Arnott is proud of the DSSO’s 95-year history. “The DSSO has always enjoyed the support of the community as concert-attending patrons as well as financial supporters. We have been the recipients of a variety of estate planning gifts, which we continue to cultivate,” said Arnott.
He added, “Our concert sponsors have provided much of the necessary support to keep our organization thriving. We have also been the recipients of generous local, regional, and state grants and foundation funding. We are currently in the process of attracting a new generation of orchestra patrons—particularly those under 21 who have never been to a live orchestra concert. These folks are the future of orchestral music in the Twin Ports.”
Bringing a Movie to Musical Life
The DSSO is performing John Williams’ legendary score live to a screening of Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark, part of the DSSO’s “Pops 2” series. The event on April 11 and 12 features the full 1981 film on a big screen with the orchestra performing the soundtrack in real-time.
Arnott noted, “Raiders of the Lost Ark is a great story and an even greater soundtrack. I’m old enough that I saw the original release in a theater in my hometown when it came out in 1981. The music really drives so many of the scenes—especially the action scenes—the truck chase scene in particular, which is an epic nine minutes of absolutely intense music. The music truly makes the movie in this case.”
Arnott explained that on the technical side, there are several levels of difficulty in playing a score with a film running live. The timing must be absolutely precise so the conductor has a click track in their ear and their own video monitor at the podium. The tempos have to be perfect so that the beginning of the music and the end match the film.
The technical requirements include a 32 ft. screen, two projectors (a spare is needed), and amplification of the orchestra balanced with the dialogue.
“John Williams’ music is hard. It’s as challenging as a Richard Strauss Tone Poem. The orchestra has one rehearsal Friday night to go through everything, one rehearsal Saturday morning with the movie, and then it’s show time,” said Arnott.
When he took over as Executive Director last, some of the legwork for Star Wars had already been done, including contracting with Disney for the rights to show the film. Arnott was responsible for contracting with the production company that actually brings the film to the DECC and runs the projection, as well as contracting with the Stagehands Union and Sound Central, a production company right here in Duluth.
“In my capacity as Director of Orchestra Operations, I also hire and manage all the musicians, making sure everyone has a place to stay, and I run payroll when it’s all over. There are so many moving parts—all need to be scheduled and managed. It’s a daunting undertaking, but highly satisfying when it all works. The sound the audience makes as the credits roll is truly an unforgettable experience,” Arnott stated.
More Information About DSSO—Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark
DSSO performs the Score to a Live Screening of Indiana Jones
April 11, 7:00 pm and April 12, 2026, 2:00 pm
Tickets are currently available online at destinationduluth.co/IndianaJones or the DECC box office.
DECC Symphony Hall
350 Harbor Dr
Duluth, MN 55802
(218) 722-5573
