About Us
Marlan Carlson, Music Director
103 Years of Great Music
“Great Music for a Great Community” is more than just a motto. It has become everyone’s expectation for the Corvallis-OSU Symphony Orchestra.
As the longest continually-operating orchestra in the state, the Corvallis-OSU Symphony Orchestra is a major force in the music scene of the mid-Willamette Valley. From its inception in 1906 as a collegiate orchestra composed of nine male members, the symphony has grown into a highly regarded, 60-member ensemble performing six major concerts each season. High-profile soloists from around the world complement the musical artistry of students, faculty and community members, along with professional musicians from Portland, Salem, Eugene and Corvallis. Professional musicians who grew up and began early music training in Corvallis are occasionally among the soloists featured with the orchestra.
Program highlights
Regular season offerings are enhanced by an annual children’s concert; a holiday family concert that affords university choruses the opportunity to perform with an orchestra; an annual chamber concert; and often a major choral work featuring the combined voices of university choruses and community singers.
The citizens of Corvallis take classical music seriously. A highly educated and knowledgeable audience, they respond well to high-level repertoire. You will not hear the performance of “novelty” pieces typical of many community orchestras. There is a comfortable, approachable feel to the concerts, which provide exceptional quality without pretentiousness or formality.
One might say that the Corvallis-OSU Symphony offers classical music with a northwest flair: The concerts are affordable, and a bit of background information and education is usually provided for the audience. Oregon State University students are admitted free of charge when seats are available.
The Corvallis-OSU Symphony Society
In 1964, the Corvallis-OSU Symphony Society began as a ladies’ support group. This vital organization has evolved and now determines policy, produces the concerts, and raises the major portion of funds needed to underwrite each season. Recently, the Society established an independent endowment designed to support the orchestra for many years to come.
Additionally, a group of independent supporters and members of the Symphony Society raised money during the 2005-2006 season to purchase a Steinway concert grand piano for the LaSells Stewart Center. This centerpiece of the concert hall will enable the orchestra to continue attracting high quality solo performers, thus enhancing and expanding the 102-year tradition of “Great Music for a Great Community.”
The Corvallis-OSU Symphony and OSU Choirs performing Beethoven’s 9th.