Orchestra History

The Whatcom Symphony:
4 Decades of Great Music

Over the past four decades, the Whatcom Symphony has grown into a nationally-recognized orchestra, attracting acclaim from audiences, critics and artists.

Revered pianist Garrick Ohlsson exclaimed that he had “rarely worked with a community orchestra that played with such enthusiasm and commitment.” Famed violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg marveled at the orchestra’s “ability to adjust quickly to anything and everything happening musically”.

The Whatcom Symphony was founded in 1975, when local music mavens Claire Vg Thomas and Ethel Crook brought together a small group of area musicians to prepare a concert celebrating the Bicentennial. Joanne Donnellan, one of those founding members, recalls that "We were intent on coming together to put on a good concert. But we enjoyed the experience and camaraderie so much, we decided to continue on!”

With enthusiastic community support, the Orchestra continued to perform, first as the Whatcom Community Orchestra (under the baton of Frank Nielsen), and eventually as the Whatcom Symphony Orchestra with Nicholas Bussard conducting.

In 1991, the WSO became the resident orchestra of the historic Mount Baker Theatre in downtown Bellingham. “Oh, when we moved into the Theatre, everything really changed,” said violinist Jane Lund. “After years of wandering from auditorium to auditorium, we finally had our very own home!”

In 1993, WWU professor Roger Briggs was named Associate Conductor, and later, Artistic Director upon the retirement of Mr. Bussard. During Maestro Briggs’ tenure, the Orchestra has grown in size and stature, attracting world-class guest artists and winning national awards such as a 2010 ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming from the League of American Orchestras.

Today, the WSO is comprised of over 80 volunteer musicians, including local music teachers, active and retired professional musicians, and talented community members from all backgrounds. The orchestra performs six subscription concerts at the MBT each season, plus maintains an ambitious calendar of community outreach events.