Dimensions in Sound & The Studio Orchestra - DISSO

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Dimensions in Sound & The Studio Orchestra - DISSO

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Our big band and full orchestra perform musical concerts at Dane County senior living communities. Dimensions In Sound and The Studio Orchestra, Inc.

(DISSO) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Madison, Wisconsin since 1977. The organization’s two separate music ensembles are dedicated to performing for people living in senior retirement and assisted living facilities who may be unable to seek out big band and orchestral entertainment because of their advanced age or disabilities. HISTORY:
In 1977, former Van Hise Middle School music teacher Lonnie Nofzinger began the development of Dimensions in Sound and The Studio Orchestra. The groups grew out of a 1976 Hill Farms neighborhood Fourth of July parade where Lonnie created a marching band with parents of his band students. Both our groups have been playing music and delighting audiences throughout Dane County and beyond. In addition to concerts for the general public, we specialize in delighting audiences at retirement homes and senior care assisted living centers with professional quality music. We enjoy being able to provide the extraordinary gift of music to those who are unable to travel, yet still have a desire to hear songs that conjure up memories and nostalgia. Our tight-knit group is comprised of local citizens with a passion for playing – many of whom played an instrument in high school and decided to pick it back up again years down the road. Dimensions in Sound rehearses or performs on Tuesday evenings, September through May. The Studio Orchestra rehearses or performs every Wednesday evening, September through May. Both groups are also available for performances at other times. We welcome musicians of any instrument with a high school or more level of experience. DISSO is a non-profit governed by a board of directors with underwriting by sponsors, both public and private, who help make our series of concerts and rehearsals possible. We are very appreciative of the support that enables us to pay our directors, rent rehearsal space and purchase rights to music and equipment. Every penny donated goes toward providing music to area residents. Our focus is to bring professional quality music to nursing home and retirement center residents and their friends and families, an audience of those no longer able to seek out this type of music because of advanced age or disabilities. The organization also provides a structure for musicians who want to volunteer their talents in their community the opportunity to do so.

10/14/2026

NEW for SALE: In addition to the coffee, we now have Tumblers and Handcrafted Stoneware Mugs for sale

💧 TUMBLER - $20
To quench your thirst during rehearsal or anytime of the day! This is a 30 oz Vacuum Insulated Tumbler with Flip Top Spout, made of 18/8 stainless steel. Double-wall insulation that keeps beverages cold for up to 24 hours. 10" H x 3.5" diameter. Recommend hand wash only. Not for use in microwave or freezer.

Cherry red color with a white DISSO 50th Anniversary logo!

☕️ HANDCRAFTED STONEWARE MUGS - $25
12-14oz stoneware mug. Recommend hand wash, but also dishwasher safe. Disclaimer: exact coloring and shape will vary due to the nature of the glaze. Due to the production of these mugs, they will be delivered in Jan/Feb 2027.

Available in two colors: Red or Cranberry with a sand white dip and embossed DISSO 50th Anniversary logo!

PLACE YOUR ORDER ON THE COFFEE SPREADSHEET OR EMAIL MELISSA at [email protected].

10/09/2026

COFFEE FUNDRAISER & NEW DESIGN // We are starting our Annual Just Coffee Fundraiser!

This year, we have our two signature blends: a dark roast “DISSO After Dark” and a light roast “DISSO Delight”. Both will feature a new 50th Anniversary design!

We also have Just Coffee’s Dream Big Decaf, as well as hot chocolate available for purchase!

☕️Coffee: $15 (please specify whole bean or ground)
- Dark Roast (“DISSO After Dark”)
- Medium Roast (“DISSO Delight”)
- Dream Big Decaf

🍫 Hot chocolate: $11

TO ORDER:
Contact a DISSO member or fill out the form here: https://www.disso.org/news/just-coffee-fundraiser-2026

Please submit your orders by Saturday, October 31 at 10pm. This will ensure we will have sufficient time to place and receive the orders around Thanksgiving.

08/11/2026

Do you play cello, viola, oboe, or trombone?

The Studio Orchestra is looking for players for our fall season, which is starting up in September!

If you want to join our orchestra or know of another musician who might be interested please visit: https://www.disso.org/join

Fill out the form on our website to find out more! While are actively recruiting cello, viola, oboe, and trombone players, all interested musicians are welcome to reach out! 🎶

Join our groupsBoth our groups are always looking for enthusiastic musicians to play with us!If you play a band or orchestra instrument at a high school level and want to play for a fun group that gives back to the community, join us!🎺 Did you play a string, woodwind, brass or percussion instrume...

07/29/2026

Go watch both our big band and orchestra perform in our Community Concert from April 27, 2026:

DISSO had a Community Concert on April 25, 2026 at St Luke's Churc...

07/04/2026

Happy July 4th! As we celebrate our nation’s 250 birthday, the date is also special to DISSO!

In spring of 1976, our founder, Lonnie Nofzinger, who was the music director at Van Hise (now Hamilton) Middle school, was contacted by the Hill Farms Neighborhood Association for help in putting together a band of adults and students to March in a July 4th parade celebrating America’s 200th birthday. Lonnie did just that! Some of the adults shared that it was such fun getting their instruments out again and wished to keep playing.

Nothing came of it that year. The next spring Lonnie was again asked to help with a band for the parade that they wanted to make an annual event. And again, some spoke of wishing to continue playing. This time Lonnie decided to try starting an adult band and began contacting potential members. The band began meeting in September of 1977 and would become Dimensions in Sound. The orchestra began in 1979.

DISSO will celebrate our 50th anniversary in 2027! You’ll start hearing more about it starting this fall - what we’ll be doing during the year, how you can get involved, etc.

Though not from that very first parade, here is a photo of Lonnie leading a 4th of July parade band in Hill Farms on Madison's west side! 🎶🇺🇸

05/11/2026

Thank you so much to The Pines Senior Living for hosting The Studio Orchestra's String Ensemble for a Mother's Day concert! 🌷

04/28/2026

Thank you so much to The Pines Senior Living for this sweet shoutout! 🎶

04/27/2026

It has been a wonderful weekend of DISSO performances! Today the Brass Quintet and the String Ensemble performed for residents at a senior living facility in Prairie du Sac! These musicians have been working hard, and we are so glad to have them going out into the community to bring music to seniors! 🎶

04/26/2026

Dimensions in Sound and The Studio Orchestra is grateful for our friends, family, and the community members that came out to see us perform yesterday! Your enthusiasm made our 2026 Spring Concert truly special!

We are so appreciative of our directors and of the musicians for their efforts to make the concert a special event. Congratulations on a wonderful performance! 🎶

Address

7337 Hubbard Ave
Middleton, WI
53562

Website

http://disso.org/

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