BainBridge Symphony Orchestra

BSO with Mario Spring 2019.jpg

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 Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra is currently undergoing a search for a new Music Director as we prepare to return home to the newly renovated Buxton Center for Bainbridge Performing Arts.

THE CHAIR SOCIETY

The Chair Society is a group of dedicated patrons who choose to sponsor a chair to help us cover music royalty costs, introduce new soloists to Bainbridge, and search for our new Maestro. In fact, only about 30% of BSO's revenue comes from ticket sales; the remainder is sourced from generous donations through the Chair Society and the Goodfellow Fund.

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 honor a music enthusiast or musician dear to you. Your Chair Society contribution will be valid for the 2023-24 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.

 

SUPPORT BainBridge Symphony Orchestra

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

BSO with Mario Spring 2019.jpg

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.

 
 

BSO Staff

BSO Manager: Kathy Connelly

Librarian: Diana Davidson

THE Young Artist Concerto Competition IS CURRENTLY ON HOLD.


BSO YOUNG ARTIST CONCERTO COMPETITION

BSO Young Artist Concerto Competition is open to piano applicants only (NO instrumental/vocal) for young musicians, ages 11-16 for the Junior Division, and 17-23 for the Senior Division. The next competition will announced once a new Music Director has been appointed.

The competition winners will have the opportunity to perform with the Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra.

ELIGIBILITY

Strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, harp, and voice, are welcome to audition.

Applicants for the Junior Division should be between ages 11-16 and residents of Kitsap County. 

Applicants for the Senior Division should be between ages 17-23 and residents of the northwest Washington State area.

MUSIC REQUIREMENTS

Works should be between 5 and 10 minutes in length for the Junior Division, and between 5 and 20 for the Senior Division.

Acceptable works for the Junior Division include a movement from a multi-movement concerto from the Baroque and Classical periods, or any other works that fall under public domain.

Acceptable works for the Senior Division include a movement from a multi-movement concerto or single movement solo works that meet the time requirements. Duos and trios are not permitted. Standard repertory works are encouraged, though rental works will be considered provided that applicants are willing to assume the costs of music rental if selected (this can average $400-$900 per concert set).

All applicants must have their works pre-approved for competition by Maestro Torres. This step is required to ensure feasibility by the BSO in regards to personnel, music procurement, and preparation.

COMPETITION RULES

Music must be memorized.

Accompaniment is required.

There is an audition time limit of 10 minutes. Cuts are permissible and will have no negative impact on the judge’s evaluation. Mark any cuts clearly in the scores (i.e. orchestra tutti’s).

Applicants must present two copies of the score for use by the judges (photocopies are permissible). These will be returned. Please number your measures and mark cuts.

The application fee is non-refundable after the application due date.

WINNER / AWARDS

One winner from each division will be chosen to perform with the Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra. These winners will receive publicity from Bainbridge Performing Arts and the privilege of performing with the BSO. The judges may designate a runner-up and/or honorable mention at their discretion. In the event a suitable winner cannot be determined, the judges reserve the right to declare no winner. All competitors will receive written comments from the judges.

QUESTIONS/REPERTORY APPROVAL

Email symphony@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

 

BAINBRIDGE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PAST SEASONS

2019 - 2020 SEASON

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


2018 - 2019 SEASON

 

November 10 & 11, 2018: EMERGENCE
February 16 & 17, 2019: MUSES
April 13 & 14, 2019: REBELLION!
June 8 &9, 2019: SYMPHONY SPECTACULAR: MUSIC FOR ALL


2017 - 2018 SEASON

November 3 & 4, 2017: MOZART AND SIBELIUS
February 17 & 18 2018: FRANCK SYMPHONY IN D MINOR
April 14 & 15, 2018: SUPERHEROES AND VILLAINS!
June 8 & 9, 2018: TCHAIKOVSKY SYMPHONY NO. 4


2016 - 2017 SEASON
 

November 12 & 13, 2016:  THE BRITISH ARE COMING!
March 4 & 5, 2017: MAHLER SYMPHONY NO. 1
April 22 & 23, 2017: SACRED AND PROFANE: CARMINA BURANA
June 2 & 4, 2017: COPLAND TENDER LAND SUITE


2015 - 2016 SEASON

November 14 & 15, 2015: BEETHOVEN'S PIANO CONCERTO No. 4
February 20 & 21, 2016: LEGENDS
April 15 - 17, 2016: MOVIE MUSIC LIVE!
June 3 & 5, 2016: DVOŘÁK’S SYMPHONY NO. 8 IN G MAJOR


2014 - 2015 SEASON

November 8 & 9, 2014: TCHAIKOVSKY’S FIRST PIANO CONCERTO
February 28 & March 1, 2015: RAISE THE ROOF!
April 18 & 19, 2015: SHAKESPEARE: COMEDY AND TRAGEDY WITH THE BPA SHAKESPEARE SOCIETY
May 30 & 31, 2015: GERSHWIN’S PIANO CONCERTO 


2013 - 2014 SEASON

November 23 & 24: TOI TOI TOI! – AN OPERA SHOWCASE
February 22 & 23: PINES OF ROME 
April 12 & 13: VERDI'S REQUIEM
May 31 & June 1: PURA VIDA!


2012 – 2013 SEASON

November 10 & 11: TCHAIKOVSKY’S FIFTH SYMPHONY
February 23 & 24: THE GRAND AND THE PASTORAL
April 20 & 21: ORCHESTRA COMIQUE!
May 31 & June 2: SYMPHONIC METAMORPHOSIS 


2011 - 2012 SEASON

November 12 & 13: NEW BEGINNINGS
March 3 & 4: ONCE UPON A TIME
April 21 & 22: RACHMANINOFF’S SECOND PIANO CONCERTO