Chamber Camp of Portland Musicians are FINALISTS!

Two musicians that participated in Chamber Camp of Portland 2009 have been selected as finalist performers for the Metro Arts Inc Young Artists Concert on April 18, 2010.

Pianist JJ Guo and violinist Michael Siess are two of thirteen young musicians featured in this year's concert. Metro Arts Inc holds an annual competition under the direction of Niel DePonte, Principal Percussionist of the Oregon Symphony.

JJ, who is a student of Dorothy Fahlman, will perform the first movement of Mozart’s Concerto for Piano, no.13, K.415 (387b), in C Major.



Michael, who studies with Carol Sindell, will perform a work with pianist Alex Zhu. Michael's mom Stacy Edgar, is a member of the Violin I section of the Portland Columbia Symphony.

Angie Zhang: A Girl to Watch!

Music Director & Conductor Huw Edwards told the members of the orchestra that Angie Zhang was something special! And after Friday night everybody in the audience knew it too.

Ms. Zhang's complete love for the instrument and the music showed as she "played with intelligence and instinct, letting the lyricism of Chopin’s music sing from the keyboard. Zhang also had plenty of power in the passages that required forte and above. In her hands the Chopin sounded natural, unforced, and completely alive." James Bash, Oregonmusicnews.com

Congratulations on a beautiful performance and best wishes for her continuing success!

A Midwinter Night's Dream - Gala 2010

We come together once a season for a festive Gala Dinner Concert & Auction. Saturday, January 30 was no exception!

With the theme of things inspired by Shakespeare, over 175 guests joined forces at the Portland Marriott to raise funds to keep Portland Columbia Symphony on the stage for the rest of 2009-2010 season. It's always amazing and heartwarming to see the community come together with such generosity to support the arts. Thanks to Tom Fletcher of the Portland Trailblazers for helping us out.

We also honored our favorite Maestro, Huw Edwards, for his ten years at the podium. Under Huw's leadership, the Orchestra has flourished and matured and inspires musicians and audiences alike. Thank you Huw!

During the Paddle Raise portion of our auction, we were able to offer a dollar-for-dollar match from the Community Fund of Southwest Washington. If you can contribute cash (and take a 100% donation) so we can take full advantage of our Matching Grant by February 15, 2010, please click here:

To view more photos from our event (Barb Parker Photography), click here and select the CSO 2010 Slideshow.

Jennifer Pittsley Honored at Golden Note Award

Portland Columbia Symphony was proud to honor Jennifer Pittsley as our Volunteer of the Year at the Golden Note Awards on Tuesday, January 26. Jennifer has served CSO in various capacities for the past eleven years, most recently as Board President for three seasons.

The Awards Luncheon is presented by the Gresham Chamber of Commerce as they honor 30 volunteers from area non-profit agencies in the community.

Thank you Jennifer---we love ya!

Coral and Josh Talk Up Shakespeare

Thanks to the volunteer team at Metro East Community Media, Portland Columbia Symphony was able to promote its upcoming November concerts on the live Community Hotline program. The show can be viewed on Wednesdays, 7 pm LIVE on CH 21; Thursdays, 5 pm on CH 21; Fridays, noon on CH 22; Saturdays, 6 pm on CH 30; Sundays, 7:30 pm on CH30; Mondays, noon on CH 22; Mondays 9 pm on CH 11; Tuesdays, noon on CH 22; Wednesdays, noon on CH 22.

Soprano Coral Walterman and Actor Josh Fuhrer gave us great nibble of the Shakespeare program to come. Tune into the recorded version of the promo spot on the MetroEast site.

And in the words of the Bard the question is "To Be" at the concerts on November 20 & 22!

Touching the Heart - Monday, October 26, 2009

Over 75 women joined together over a beautiful lunch at the Historic Multnomah Hotel (Embassy Suites) to support CSO's education program, MEET the BEAT.


With a backdrop of pink, the Ladies were treated to the talents of the Yoon Trio (Lauren, Ashley and Taylor) and the vocal dessert of Coral Walterman, who is the guest soloist for the November 20 & 22 concerts of the orchestra.






All the profits from this lovely event
go directly to support all the activities
associated with MEET the BEAT including the upcoming performance of Peter & The Wolf on December 6.

The Ladies of Perkins & Company!

Models Dawn Carter and Camilla Wilson Scott

Auction fun - - - there are couple of great items left that are up for auction until November 15, 2009. See the list here.

The Two Carolyns

Portland Columbia Symphony's Principal Clarinetist Carolyn Arnquist was featured recently in the Yamhill Valley News Register. Carolyn is a teacher, soloist, and chamber and orchestra musician. She has played continuously with CSO for 27 (count em) seasons!

Thank you Carolyn for sharing your craft with young musicians and with us.

Read Carolyn's complete bio on the CSO Website: columbiasymphony.org