It's free, it's fun, and it's for everybody. Virtuoso soloists are featured every week. A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS FOR THIS YEAR! DSM Musicians' Asso.
Music fills the air in a beautiful setting on the west grounds of the Iowa State Capitol ... for over 75 years, Music Under The Stars has been central Iowa's favorite way to spend a summer evening. Music Under The Stars is dedicated to the performance of the highest quality concert band and instrumental music for the entertainment, enjoyment, inspiration, and education of central Iowans. The featu
06/06/2026
This weekend: A night full of music, stars and amazing musicians! Don't miss your chance to hear Iowa's Professional Musicians as Music Under The Stars opens the season with "Home Grown!" this Sunday, June 7, at 7:00 PM at the Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park. Learn more on our website 👉 https://www.musicunderthestars.org/
06/03/2026
Join us this Sunday, June 7, at 7:00 PM at the Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park for our Season Kickoff, “Home Grown,” featuring guest vocalist Max Wellman! Learn more on our website 👉 https://www.musicunderthestars.org/
05/15/2026
Summer 2026 is (almost!) here: Check out our website and mark your calendars now for great Sunday concerts!
FREE SUMMER CONCERT SERIES For decades, central Iowans have packed their lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic baskets, gathered friends and family, and come to enjoy memorable performances of band music. Concerts feature a diverse variety of standard and contemporary works by premier composers performed by Iowa's own profession....
07/10/2025
Music Under the Stars will be back next summer! We look forward to seeing our dedicated audience and supporters again next year!
07/08/2025
That’s a wrap on our season! It was a blast to perform at Hoyt Sherman Place this year. Thank you to our Director Dr. Kenney, to all our performers this summer, and to the guest artists who joined us. And of course - thank you to our amazing audience!
07/07/2025
What a great way to end the season! Thanks for coming out to support our 78th summer of free music in Des Moines. We can’t wait to see you again next summer!
07/06/2025
Join us tonight for Music Under the Stars with Iowa's professional musicians and our guest vocalist, Max Wellman alongside Kristen Ronning on horn and Clarence Padilla on clarinet! We hope to see you at the Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park at 7:00 PM! The more the merrier. Grab your friends and family to enjoy a free night of music! 👉https://www.musicunderthestars.org/
07/05/2025
We hope you had a great Fourth of July. Tomorrow is our final performance with Kristen Ronning on horn, Clarence Padilla on clarinet, and Max Wellman as our guest vocalist joining Iowa's professional musicians. "78 RPM" is a showstopper of a performance to close out the season. Grab your picnic basket and join us tomorrow night for an unforgettable evening! Mark your calendars now, and remember we will be at Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park! Learn more 👉https://www.musicunderthestars.org/
07/01/2025
Thank you for joining Iowa's professional musicians this past Sunday Hoyt Sherman Place! Be sure to come to Lauridsen Amphitheater at Water Works Park next Sunday, July 6 for a "78 RPM" performance with Kristen Ronning on horn, Clarence Padilla on clarinet, and Max Wellman as our guest vocalist for our last concert of the season! Learn more 👉https://www.musicunderthestars.org/