BainBridge Symphony Orchestra

The Bainbridge Orchestra was founded in 1972 by the late David Pence, when the Island’s population was less than 13,000. Adopted under the BPA umbrella in the spring of 1993, and changing its name to the Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra in 2006, the Symphony serves a musically rich role in our community uniting artists spanning generations and skill levels, and coming from all walks of life, to share their love of music and learn from each other. The Symphony has consistently enjoyed superb leadership throughout its history in such diverse venues as the Bainbridge High School LGI Theater, Saint Barnabas Church, Bloedel Reserve, Bainbridge Alliance Church, and Schneebeck Hall at the University of Puget Sound.

Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra and Bainbridge Performing Arts are enduringly grateful to the countless members of the community who have dedicated their time, energy, money, and audience support to this volunteer organization.

The 2024 BSO Chair Society Fundraiser

Join us at the Buxton Center for Bainbridge Performing Arts on Saturday September 21, 3-6pm, to celebrate and support the BSO by attending the 2024 BSO Chair Society Fundraiser, featuring special guest performer Nathan Chan, performances from BSO members, a chance to meet the new Music Director, Ryan Dakota Farris, speciality drinks and refreshments, and exciting opportunities to support your community orchestra.

BUY SINGLE-CONCERT TICKETS

THE Young Artist Concerto Competition RETURNS SEPTEMBER 29.

For the first time since the arrival of COVID-19, the Young Artists Competition returns to the Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra.

This year’s competition is open to all instruments. The competition winner(s) will have the opportunity to perform their piece with the Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra on their April 2025 concerts.

This competition is open to Washington State residents aged 12-23. Participants must have an accompanist and ideally perform their repertoire from memory. All participants’ repertoire choices must be approved by the Music Director prior to confirmation. The judges may select up to 2 winners (depending on length/choice of repertoire) to perform with the orchestra.

The competition will be held on Sunday, September 29th at the Buxton Center for Bainbridge Performing Arts. There is a $25 participation fee, payable on the day of the competition. Any questions should be directed to: rdfarris@bainbridgeperformingarts.org

PAST WINNERS

2020 – Winner, Senior Division – Yvette Kraft, violin, Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E minor, Op. 64 (1st movement)
2020 – Winner, Junior Division – Daniel Stein, cello, Édouard Lalo’s Cello Concerto in D minor (1st movement)
2019 – 1st Place Winner – Emily Jeeho Park, piano, Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Major, Op. 26 (1st movement)
2019 – 2nd Place Winner – Renee Ruiyi Qin, harp, Handel’s Harp Concerto in B-Flat Major, Op. 4 No. 6
2019 – Runner Up – Yvette Kraft, violin, Karl Goldmark’s Violin Concerto in A minor (1st movement)
2018 1st Place Winner – Phoebe Rawn, flute, Flute Fantaisie by Hüe
2018 2nd Place Winner – Carson Ling-Efird, cello, Sant-Saens Cello Concerto in A
2018 Honorable Mention – Owen Espinosa, piano, Ravel’s Concerto in G
2018 Honorable Mention – Adlai Erickson, cello, Popper’s Hungarian Rhapsody
2017 Winner – Charlotte Marckx, violin, Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, 1st movement
2016 Winner – Leah Deobald, piano, Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, op. 37, 1st movement
2015 Winner – Andrew Barnwell, piano, Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor, 1st movement
2015 Runner Up – Shintaro Taneda, violin, Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole, 1st movement
2014 Winner – Christopher Son Richardson, piano, Schumann’s Piano Concerto in A minor, op. 54, 1st movement
2013 Winner – Marianne Martinoli, violin, Julius Conus: Concerto for Violin in E minor

THE CHAIR SOCIETY

The Chair Society is a group of dedicated patrons who choose to sponsor a chair to help us cover programming and operations costs. The support we receive from the Chair Society each season provides vital funds to ensure the BSO can continue their mission of enriching our community with the magic of symphony. In fact, only about 30% of BSO's revenue comes from ticket sales; the remainder is sourced from generous donations from our supporters.

As a Chair Society member, your name will appear in each program beneath the chair you sponsor. This can be your name, a family member's, a friend's, or even your business's name. You can also choose to honor a music enthusiast or musician dear to you.

Your Chair Society contribution will be valid for the entire 24-25 season and can be renewed annually if you choose.

There are several options

• PODIUM: $1,500

• GUEST ARTIST: $1,000

• CONCERTMASTER CHAIR: $500

• PRINCIPAL CHAIR: $300

• SECTION CHAIR: $200

To join the Chair Society, click register below and select your desired level during checkout. For questions, contact us at 206.842.8569.

JOIN THE BSO

Although our audition date has passed, players of all instruments are encouraged to contact our General Manager if interested in auditioning for our substitute musician list or future seasons.

Interested parties are requested to email symphony@bainbridgeperformingarts.org to arrange an audition appointment.

Those auditioning should prepare two contrasting works of their choice that display the depth of their musical sensitivity and range of technical ability. Sight-reading for all instruments will be requested; music will be provided on site. Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra rehearses on Wednesday evenings, 7:00 – 9:30 p.m. at Bainbridge Performing Arts.

Music has always been at the heart of the BPA mission, and the organization’s commitment stands undiminished to this day. It has the backing of a well-organized Board and a thriving institution. It takes a lively community of volunteer musicians and listeners to make such a commitment sustainable, and BPA thanks the BSO musicians and audience members for their part in keeping the classical music program lively and growing.

Helpful Links

About

performances

Join the Symphony

Past SEASONs

Young Artist Competition

SUPPORT BainBridge Symphony Orchestra

BPA’s classical music program thrives precisely because of your contributions!

BSO Chair Society

The Chair Society was founded by DeeAnn Sisley. It lends vital support to Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra through named sponsorships, honoring the tremendous gifts of talent and time that our volunteer musicians contribute to this thriving organization. The Chair Society was established to honor BSO members, friends, and loved ones with gifts that help underwrite music acquisition, guest artist honorariums, equipment upkeep, orchestra purchases, and more.

The Goodfellow Fund/Musical Chairs

Generous contributors to The Goodfellow Fund attend or support our annual Musical Chairs event each fall. Gifts to The Goodfellow Fund, named in honor of our beloved Jean Goodfellow, contribute to the Conductor/Music Director’s annual salary and enshrine the legacy of Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra.

Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra is a cornerstone program of Bainbridge Performing Arts, and however you choose to give, please know that every bit of your support is celebrated in every note we play. Thank you!

For questions or to make a contribution to Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra please contact BPA at 206.842.4560.

Helpful Links

About

performances

Join the Symphony

Past SEASONs

Young Artist Competition

BSO Staff

BSO Manager: Kathy Connelly

Librarian: Diana Davidson

BAINBRIDGE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PAST SEASONS

November 9 & 10, 2019: DISTANT LIGHT
February 8 & 9, 2020: WOMEN OF POWER