Founded in 1896, the Oregon Symphony is older than the state fair and prouder than ever — one of America’s oldest orchestras, performing under the glowing “Portland” sign of the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. Its season arcs from Beethoven and Mahler to live film scores, where thousands watch a beloved movie with the orchestra thundering beneath the screen.
The Symphony’s heart beats beyond the hall: free Waterfront Concert each summer draws tens of thousands to Tom McCall Park for music and fireworks, school programs reach tens of thousands of Oregon students, and its recordings have earned Grammy nominations.
Music Director David Danzmayr keeps the programming adventurous — a premiere one week, a mariachi celebration the next. In Portland, the symphony isn’t an occasion; it’s a habit, and a happy one.
