A Look Into the Oregon Symphony

With the dissolution of the Salem Symphony on Aug. 31, the Oregon Symphony is now the closest symphony to Salem. Located in the Arlene Schnitzer concert hall in Portland, the Oregon Symphony is one of the oldest symphonies in the United States and offers a variety of performances throughout the majority of the year.
For their Classical Series, the Symphony performs two prepared concerts on three dates a month. A concert will often contain three separate pieces, one of which headlines the other two. Upcoming highlights of the classical series include Mozart’s Jupiter Symphony opening on Oct. 28, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue starting Nov. 4, and Grieg’s Piano Concerto beginning Dec. 2.
Ada Martin ’19 has been to the Oregon Symphony at least three times, and is looking forward to Beethoven’s Second Symphony this season, which opens on Nov. 18. Her love of classical music comes from the time she has spent playing piano.
“I think having a symphony in Oregon is important because music is something that can really bring people together, and I feel like with classical music you need to appreciate the music that people had back then and how it has evolved into what we have now,” Martin said.
A Pops Series and Kids Series are also offered at the Symphony, with dates varying depending on the concert. A Star Wars Spectacular will take place on Nov. 12 as a part of the Kids Series, and Phantoms of the Orchestra, a special Halloween concert, opens on Oct. 21.
Special performances, often featuring guest performers, are scheduled throughout the season. One-night only performances from virtuoso pianist Yuja Wang and Broadway lyric soprano Audra McDonald are set to happen in May.
Concerts are normally scheduled for either 7:30 p.m. or 2:00 p.m, and prices range from $24 to $115 depending on seating. The Oregon Symphony offers gift cards, as well as student tickets priced at $10 for select concerts.