he Spokane Symphony continues a long tradition as the largest and most active professional performing arts organization in the Inland Pacific Northwest. The 2008-2009 Season marks its 63rd year.
The 70-piece professional orchestra performs for more than 150,000 listeners each season and provides a wide variety of exceptional educational experiences. The orchestra presents critically acclaimed performances featuring some of the world's most respected soloists.
The orchestra is lead by Eckart Preu, our outstanding Music Director, who has taken this fine orchestra to the next level of artistic achievement. The East German-born conductor was selected from a field of more than 200. He is assisted by Resident Conductor Morihiko Nakahara.
The Symphony performs more than 60 concerts this year. The regular season includes a 10-concert Classics series with performances on Saturday evenings and Sunday matinee, and the Casual Classics, an informal Friday night series of 3 concerts. These are held at the beautifully restored Martin Woldson Theater at the Fox., In addition, the Symphony gives a series of six SuperPops concerts at the INB Performing Arts Center, including our popular Holiday Pops. (Beginning with the 2009-2010 Season, the SuperPops will be held at the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox.) The Symphony also presents The Nutcracker Ballet, a holiday tradition for many families in the Inland Northwest. A highly successful Chamber Soiree Series takes place in the Davenport Hotel's stunning Marie Antoinette Room, with two additional performances to be held at the Jacklin Arts and Cultural Center at the Old Church in Post Falls. Two performances of the very popular Symphony on the Edge at the Knitting Factory (formerly known as the Big Easy Concert Hall) nightclub are scheduled during the season.
Originally incorporated in 1945 as the Spokane Philharmonic, it became the Spokane Symphony Society in 1962. The 2003-2004 Season marked the premier of a new Youth Exploration Series - Symphony YES! In addition the Symphony performs numerous educational and family-oriented programs including free outdoor parks concerts at Comstock Park and Liberty Lake. Each summer, the Symphony is featured at the Festival at Sandpoint, Idaho and as a further outreach; Classics and Casual Classics concerts are broadcast on 91.1 KPBX-FM.
The Spokane Symphony is dedicated to cultivating new audiences. The educational activities offered by the Spokane Symphony include performances and coaching by Symphony musicians in area public schools. Free music education resources and concert tickets are made available to schools and community centers. The Spokane Symphony is also breaking new ground in the field of distance learning with their work using internet II.
In 2001, the Junior Chamber Artists Program became a part of the Symphony's educational program. A lunchtime and pre-concert series of informal discussions with guest artists is offered to help foster a greater appreciation of and enthusiasm for classical music.
A non-profit organization, the Spokane Symphony is governed by a 40-member volunteer Board of Trustees. The Symphony also enjoys the generous support of the more than 300-member Spokane Symphony Associates, the Orchestra's volunteer organization.