Spokane Symphony

Spokane Symphony
Name	Spokane Symphony
Founded	1945
Location	Spokane, Washington
Concert hall	Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox

Spokane Symphony The Spokane Symphony is a professional orchestra based in Spokane, Washington, presenting orchestral seasons, community programs, and educational initiatives. It performs at the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox and collaborates with regional institutions, touring ensembles, and national artists. The organization engages audiences across the Inland Northwest through classical, pops, film, and chamber presentations.

History

The orchestra traces roots to post-World War II cultural developments in Spokane, Washington, influenced by civic leaders, philanthropists, and regional arts advocates. Early milestones involved collaboration with the Spokane Community College, Gonzaga University, and municipal arts commissions, as well as guest appearances by touring soloists from institutions such as the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and Los Angeles Philharmonic. Throughout the late 20th century the ensemble navigated funding initiatives from foundations like the Gates Foundation and state arts agencies including the Washington State Arts Commission, expanded season programming, and adapted to venue changes including residency at the historic Fox Theater (Spokane). The orchestra’s history includes partnerships with regional festivals such as the Bloomsday Run celebrations, civic commemorations with the City of Spokane, and collaborative projects with local arts groups like the Spokane Civic Theatre and the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox management.

Music Directors and Conductors

The organization’s artistic leadership has featured music directors and guest conductors from American and international backgrounds associated with conservatories and orchestras such as the Juilliard School, Curtis Institute of Music, Royal Academy of Music, Cleveland Orchestra, and Boston Symphony Orchestra. Resident and principal guest conductors have included maestros who have also held posts with the Metropolitan Opera, San Francisco Symphony, and university programs at University of Washington and University of Southern California. Guest soloists and conductors appearing with the ensemble have included artists affiliated with the Moscow Conservatory, Vienna Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, London Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, San Diego Symphony, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, and chamber artists from the Guarneri Quartet and Takács Quartet.

Performances and Seasons

Season programming comprises classical masterworks, pops concerts, film-score performances, and holiday productions with guest artists drawn from the New York City Ballet, Metropolitan Opera, and Broadway tours such as productions associated with Hamilton (musical) and Les Misérables. The orchestra often presents concerto engagements featuring soloists connected to the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Cleveland Institute of Music, Curtis Institute of Music, and the Vienna State Opera. Festival collaborations include projects with the Cœur d'Alene Summer Theatre, Spokane Symphony Children's Chorus workshops, and cross-disciplinary events with the Macbeth Gallery and performing ensembles from Eastern Washington University and Whitworth University. Outreach seasons have included themed cycles of works by composers linked to the Romantic era, Classical period, 20th-century music, and living composers associated with the American Academy of Arts and Letters and the Pulitzer Prize for Music.

Education and Community Outreach

Educational programs partner with regional school districts, conservatories, and nonprofit organizations such as the Spokane Public Library, Spokane Falls Community College, and youth orchestras affiliated with the American String Teachers Association. The orchestra’s initiatives include in-school residencies, family concerts with curriculum ties to the National Endowment for the Arts standards, and mentorship programs connected to university music departments at Gonzaga University and Eastern Washington University. Community outreach frequently intersects with social service agencies and civic events sponsored by the City of Spokane cultural affairs office, county arts initiatives, and philanthropic partners like the Avista Foundation.

Recordings and Media

The orchestra’s recordings and broadcasts have appeared on regional public radio stations linked to the Associated Press and networks akin to NPR, with archival recordings distributed through classical labels and digital platforms used by ensembles such as the Seattle Symphony and the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. Media projects have included live-streamed concerts, radio specials featuring narrators from the Spokane Public Library and interviews with artists associated with the American Federation of Musicians, as well as recorded collaborations with soloists who have appeared with the Metropolitan Opera and chamber partners from the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.

Facilities and Instruments

Primary performance home is the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, a restored landmark venue linked historically to touring presentations by organizations like the Bolshoi Ballet, New York City Ballet, and Broadway companies. Rehearsals and educational activities take place in partnership spaces across Spokane including facilities at Gonzaga University, Spokane Community College, and municipal cultural centers overseen by the City of Spokane. Instrumentation includes standard symphonic forces drawn from professional musicians who have trained at the Eastman School of Music, New England Conservatory, and Peabody Institute, with occasional use of period instruments sourced from collections associated with the Museum of Performance + Design and private lenders.

Category:Orchestras based in Washington (state) Category:Organizations based in Spokane, Washington