About Us
Mission and History of Skagit Symphony
Skagit Symphony’s mission is to present exceptional orchestral experiences to a growing and inclusive audience; to enrich, entertain, educate, and inspire our community through music.
Although our roots go back to 1961 when musicians at Skagit Valley College formed a college orchestra, “Skagit Valley Symphony” was officially born in 1979 as an all-volunteer orchestra under the auspices of the College Foundation. In 1992, the Symphony separated from the Foundation to form an independent nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization managed by a volunteer board of directors.
Today our orchestra, Skagit Symphony, has more than 70 volunteer members representing many communities of our region: Anacortes, Arlington, Bellingham, Bow, Burlington, Camano Island, Coupeville, Everett, La Conner, Lynden, Mount Vernon, Oak Harbor, Sedro-Woolley, and Silvana. Our talented and dedicated musicians range in age from 17 to 80+. Some have been playing in the orchestra for over 40 years!
The orchestra rehearses on Monday evenings. They prepare for four evening concerts and a Pops! concert over the course of the season, all performed at McIntyre Hall. The orchestra also presents three School Concerts and a community Family Concert at McIntyre each year, as part of Skagit Symphony’s Music Education Program.
In addition to our Music Director and Assistant Conductor, the Symphony currently has four employees who manage the administration of the organization: Executive Director, Operations Manager, Orchestra Manager, and Administrative Assistant. Several contractors provide additional services (music library management, equipment transport, etc.), to complement the work of our regular staff and the efforts of our many volunteers who organize fundraising events, help out at the Symphony office, and serve on the Symphony’s multiple committees.
Our volunteer board of directors meets monthly, and oversees the health and well-being of the entire organization. The Music Director and Executive Director report to the Board President.
We recently moved into our permanent home in West Mount Vernon. You can visit us any time at 615 W Division St, Mount Vernon WA, 98273. If you have something you’d like to mail us, please send it to PO Box 1302, Mount Vernon WA, 98273.
Organization
Skagit Symphony is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization powered by more than 100 volunteers, including our orchestra musicians, Board of Directors, committee members, and many others who contribute their time and skills to support our mission. The Music Director, Executive Director, Operations Manager, Assistant Conductor, Orchestra Manager, and Administrative Assistant are employees of Skagit Symphony.
Music Director
Assistant Conductor
Board of Directors
Ray Horak, President
Al Call, Past President
Ruth McNally, Treasurer
Dave Cross, Secretary
Philip Buri
Dawn Chaplin
Beverly Dooley
Virginia Elizondo
Paul Hanson
Susan Macek
Barbara Marie
Doug Robertson
Joanna Sikes
Deborah Smeltzer
Adrienne Stewart
Mandy Walters Whitaker
Administrative Team
Caroline Omdal, Executive Director
Jennifer Watson, Operations Manager, Graphic Designer
Shannon Coyne, Orchestra Manager, Website Administrator
Anjali Prakash, Administrative Assistant
Priscilla Legg, Music Librarian
Music Education Committee
Deborah Smeltzer, Chair
Caroline Omdal, Executive Director
Shannon Coyne, Orchestra Manager
Sebastian Serrano-Ayala, Assistant Conductor
Dave Cross
Beverly Dooley
Marna Fletcher
David Kingsbury
Wendy La Prade
Ginger Orsini
Carol Taylor
Mandy Walters Whitaker
2024 Garden Committee
Jennifer Watson, chair
Karen Beckner
Kathy Brown
Dawn Chaplin
Anita Davis
Margaret Horak
Ray Horak
Lisette Mast
Karen Parnell
Kriss Rainwater
Betsey Swenson
Honorary Board Members
Eileen Andersen
Vicki Archer
Mona Beach
Karen Beckner
John & Kristen Boyes
Celia Chandler
Anita Davis
Jim Glackin
Larry Larson
Lisette Roozen Mast
Dr. & Mrs. Armin Mohr
Karen Parnell
Joyce Rozendaal
Jacqueline Stegner
Chris Terrell