Mission

The Oregon Symphony moves music forward. Our vision is bold and adventurous: to inspire audiences with exhilarating performances, present outstanding musicians in a range of styles, shine a light on contemporary issues, and represent our region as a Symphony for All. Founded in 1896, the Oregon Symphony is the oldest orchestra on the West Coast and brings music to more than 350,000 people annually. Led by Music Director David Danzmayr, we hold 100+ concerts onstage at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in downtown Portland each season, ranging from our core classical series to genres like jazz, indie, hip hop, gospel, mariachi, and film music. Our work is nationally renowned for excellence, with three recent recordings garnering Grammy nominations and a co-commission winning the 2021 Pulitzer Prize. The Symphony also hosts more than 200 Education & Community Engagement events across Oregon and SW Washington every year, using the power of music to inspire joy, heal suffering, and bring people together. These programs include hands-on activities that introduce young children to music, songwriting workshops for people experiencing houselessness, and free concerts for people living with chronic illness. We partner with hundreds of schools, shelters, health care providers, senior centers, correctional facilities, and social service nonprofits to host these programs, enriching our entire region and helping to build a vibrant, thriving culture for all.