We now have two ways to support the orchestra: one that provides for the orchestra today and one that ensures the orchestra’s future success.

STRENGTHENING THE SYMPHONY TODAY
The Skagit Symphony is pleased to announce its new matching program created through the generosity of three patrons. These patrons have pledged to match any donation given to the orchestra at the Duet Level ($250) or higher, beginning January 1, 2008 up to $15,000. The desire is to rejuvenate this fund annually so that patron donations will be doubled throughout upcoming seasons.

KEEPING THE FUTURE BRIGHT
The orchestra is also thrilled to unveil its new endowment campaign intended to keep the symphony strong into perpetuity. Designed with the support and expertise of The Skagit Community Foundation - patrons can now help sustain future symphony programs today. The endowment campaign was initially funded through a $10,000 donation and has a current goal of $500,000. Monies generated by the endowment interest will be used to fund symphony operations including the conductor’s salary and other orchestra expenses such as music purchase and rental. Patrons wishing to support the endowment campaign can do so by sending donations either to the symphony office or to The Skagit Community Foundation.

For more information regarding either of these giving options, please contact Linda Alvarado, Skagit Symphony Executive Director, at 360.770.5203.

Skagit Symphony’s Light Classic Concert Features Stephanie Bethea Talented local flutist, Stephanie Bethea, will be performing Gordeli’s Flute Concerto as the featured soloist at the Skagit Symphony’s Light Classics Concert on Saturday, October 21 at 7:30 p.m. at McIntyre Hall. Since 2000, Ms. Bethea has played principal flute in the Skagit Symphony. Her other principal flute positions have included Skagit Valley Chorale, North Cascades Concert Band, and the Richmond Symphony in B.C. She coached the flute section of the Fidalgo Youth Symphony and acted as flute clinician for the Sedro-Woolley School District. In addition to the Gordeli piece, the Light Classic concert repertoire includes Arnold’s Four Cornish Dances, Dvoøák’s In Nature’s Realm and Still’s Afro-American Symphony. The Skagit Symphony’s Light Classics concert is sponsored by Windermere Real Estate / Skagit Valley. Ticket prices for the Light Classics Concert range from $20 to $35 and are available from McIntyre Hall’s box office at 360.416.7727 (Tuesday – Saturday, 12noon- 6 p.m.) or online at www.mcintyrehall.org. For more information, please contact the Skagit Symphony at 360.848.9336 or execdir@skagitsymphony.com. Talented local flutist, Stephanie Bethea, will be performing Gordeli’s Flute Concerto as the featured soloist at the Skagit Symphony’s Light Classics Concert on Saturday, October 21 at 7:30 p.m. at McIntyre Hall. Since 2000, Ms. Bethea has played principal flute in the Skagit Symphony. Her other principal flute positions have included Skagit Valley Chorale, North Cascades Concert Band, and the Richmond Symphony in B.C. She coached the flute section of the Fidalgo Youth Symphony and acted as flute clinician for the Sedro-Woolley School District. In addition to the Gordeli piece, the Light Classic concert repertoire includes Arnold’s Four Cornish Dances, Dvoøák’s In Nature’s Realm and Still’s Afro-American Symphony. The Skagit Symphony’s Light Classics concert is sponsored by Windermere Real Estate / Skagit Valley. Ticket prices for the Light Classics Concert range from $20 to $35 and are available from McIntyre Hall’s box office at 360.416.7727 (Tuesday – Saturday, 12noon- 6 p.m.) or online at www.mcintyrehall.org. For more information, please contact the Skagit Symphony at 360.848.9336 or execdir@skagitsymphony.com.

Symphony Seeks Executive Director

The volunteer Skagit Symphony Orchestra is seeking a part-time Executive Director to manage all of the human and financial resources needed to achieve the orchestra's mission. The candidate best suited for the position has experience with non-profit organizations, and is skilled in communication, fundraising, grant writing, management, delegation and summarizing information. The candidate should also have energy, focus, and an appreciation for the heritage and future of classical music.

Summary of Responsibilities: The Executive Director will oversee all administrative functions of the organization, including financials, fundraising, marketing, contracts, operations, artistic administration, relationship building and retention, and day-to-day activities. This includes overview of the five concert season, program development and production, marketing and promotion, grant writing, patron and sponsor relations, and support of four annual fund raising events. The individual will report directly to the Board of Directors and will supervise staff, manage volunteers, and work closely and seamlessly with the Music Director. Other duties may be assigned. For complete job description click here.

Applicants with a bachelor degree and a financial background is preferred.

To apply please submit a cover letter, resume, and references to Skagit Symphony, Search Committee, P.O. Box 1302, Mount Vernon, WA 98273.

Deadline: April 9, 2010.

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It is now possible to register for the Skagit Symphony's twelfth annual Smelt Run scheduled for Saturday, February 28th at the La Conner Middle School. The Smelt Run includes a 5K and 10K USATF Certified Race, a 2 Mile Family Walk and a Kids Dash. Interested runners and walkers can pre-register by downloading the Smelt Run Brochure at www.SkagitSymphony.com or online at www.Active.com. Race day registration opens at 8:30 AM with the Kids Dash beginning at 9:30AM and the races and family walk beginning at 10 AM. Preregistration fees are: $20 for the run only and $35 for the run with a t-shirt; $15 for individual walkers and $30 for a walker with t-shirt; and $30 for a family of four walkers. The Kids Dash is free for children 18 month – 6 years old. These fees are $5 higher on race day. Proceeds from the Smelt Run benefit the symphony's youth program which includes school and family concerts. Sponsors for the 2009 Smelt Run include Erin Baker's Wholesome Baked Goods, John Whims – Nationwide Insurance, Evergreen Physical Therapy, Northwest Chiropractic Clinic, Northwest Physical Therapy, Haggen Food & Pharmacy, Samish Point by the Bay Vacation Rental, Mister T's Awards and Embroidery and the La Conner Rotary. For more information about the Smelt Run, call the Symphony office at 360.848.9336.

Tickets are now available from the McIntyre Hall box office for the Skagit Symphony’s Family Concert, “Let’s Play an Instrument,” on Sunday, January 24th at 2:00 pm. This concert, designed to encourage family members of all ages to “play an instrument” features music from Verdi’s La Forza del Destino (Force of Nature), Humperdinck’s Hansel & Gretel Overture, Wagner’s Lohengren Prelude and Rossini’s Barber of Seville Overture. The concert is approximately one hour long and suitable for family members from 3 to 103. For more resources to help prepare children for the performance including details about the repertoire, the composers and the instruments, (click here).

On Thursday, October 15th, teachers from the Skagit Valley met with Maestro Shakarian and members of the symphony's education committee at McIntyre Hall to begin developing the curriculum materials for the upcoming school concert to be held on January 22nd. Once developed, these materials will be available on the Skagit Symphony website for teachers, homeschoolers and parents to use to prepare children for the performances. "Let’s Play an Instrument" is the theme for 2010 during each concert, Maestro Shakarian will encourage children to play an instrument. Orchestra members will share their experiences with the children as well. The 2010 Family Concert will be held on January 24th at 2pm at McIntyre Hall. Children 16 and under are FREE and adult/senior tickets are just $10. Scholarship tickets are available by calling 360.848.9336. Tickets are available now through the McIntyre Hall box office by calling 360.416.7727 ext 2 or visiting www.McIntyreHall.org. The symphony is very grateful to the Anacortes Soroptimist Club, the Burlington Soroptimist Club and the Burlington Rotary Club for their support of the youth program. We are also thankful for our partners - the Skagit Libraries and the Children's Museum of Skagit County.

In January, the Skagit Symphony sponsors several youth concerts, one for public school fifth graders, and another for families. Please visit the Skagit Symphony Education Page for detailed current information and educational resources for these concerts

Registration Materials are now available for the Skagit Symphony’s 13th Annual Smelt Run to be held on Saturday, February 27th at the La Conner Middle School. Proceeds from this 5/10 K Race and 2M Family walk benefit the orchestra’s youth program. Click here to download a registration form or visit www.active.com.

On Saturday, March 14th at 7:30 PM in McIntyre Hall, the Skagit Symphony welcomes guitarist, David Feingold for its Masterpiece Concert. Joining the orchestra for this performance will be guitarist Dr. David Feingold, Chair of the Music Department at Western Washington University. A composer as well, Dr. Feingold has established a unique sound among nylon string guitarists with a blending of Flamenco in his writing. For more information please visit, http://www.wwu.edu/music/bio_shtml/feingold.shtml. Music for this evening performance includes Juan Crisostomo de Arriaga’s overture to the opera Los Esclavos Felices, the Happy Slaves. Known as “the Spanish Mozart,” Arriaga composed this piece at the tender of 13. Born on what would have been Mozart’s 50th birthday, January 27, 1806, Arriaga was busy composing by the age 11 and was the youngest professor ever appointed at the Paris Conservatoire. Unfortunately his life was tragically cut short just weeks shy of his 20th birthday, depriving the world of the wonder he could yet have created. In addition to Arriaga, Maestro Shakarian has selected a work from another more modern Spanish composer, Joaquin Rodrigo, whose Guitar Concerto has become one of the most popular works in the repertory. Unlike Arriaga, Rodrigo lived to the advanced age of 97, composing music throughout his lifetime despite going blind at an early age due to diphtheria. The Masterpiece Concert closes with one of the great symphonies Dvorák’s Symphony No. 9, “From the New World.” Prior to the performance Maestro Shakarian will discuss the music selections during a pre-concert lecture beginning at 6:45PM in the McIntyre Hall loge. Tickets for the symphony’s Masterpiece Concert are available through the McIntyre Hall box office by calling 360.416.7727 or online at www.McIntyreHall.org. Prices range for $22-35 with $3 discounts for seniors and students. For more information contact the symphony office at 360.848.9336.

The Skagit Symphony’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce its executive officers for the 2008-09 season: Dr. John Boyes - president, Clare Drews – president-elect, and Dennis Carman – Treasurer. Joining the board for a three-year term are Dr. David Chaplin, Kathleen Kollmar, Stan Relyea and Dr. Bill Langworthy. Retiring from the board are Barbara Carstens, Celia Chandler, Dr. Armin Mohr, Karen Parnell, Katrina Pierson, Lisette Roozen-Mast, and Nancy Slind.

Welcome the sounds of summer as you stroll through seven distinctively different Samish Island gardens. The third annual Gardens of Note tour of private gardens will be held on Sunday, June 27th, from 10 am to 5 pm. Enjoy listening to live Classical, Jazz, Popular, or World Music in every garden. Discover extraordinary glass installations. Food and wine may be purchased while you relax and admire views of Samish Bay. Tickets are $25 and available by calling 360-424-7591. Advance purchase recommended. Carpooling and bicycling are encouraged.

Season tickets for the Skagit Symphony’s 2008-09 Classics Discovered concert series are now available through the McIntyre Hall Box office, Tuesday – Saturday from 12 noon – 6 p.m. or via phone at (360)416-7727.

For the Symphony’s 2008-09 season, aptly described as “Classics Discovered,” Maestro Shakarian welcomes two new and unusual soloists to the McIntyre Hall stage. Joining the orchestra players for the first time will be world-renowned flutist Jeffrey Cohan, performing Chaminade’s Flute Concertino and Griffes’ Poem, and Western Washington University’s Chair of Music, guitarist David Feingold, performing Rodrigo’s Guitar Concerto. For the three special Holiday collaborative concerts between the orchestra and the Skagit Valley Chorale, only the magnificence of Handel’s Messiah-Part 1 and Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker will suffice. Finally, completing the season is Maestro Shakarian’s youngest discovery of the season, University of Texas Starling Scholar, violinist Rachel Frankenfeld, performing Vaughan-Williams’ The Lark Ascending and Sarasate’s Zigeunerweisen. For more information about the symphony’s 2008-09 season call 360.848.9336.

The Skagit Symphony recently received a $750 gift from the Anacortes Noon Kiwanis Club to help with the expansion of the orchestra’s music library. The gift will enable the symphony to purchase Brahms Symphony #2, and Schumann’s Symphony #3. These pieces will be performed during the orchestra’s Masterpiece and Young Soloist Concerts schedule for March and May of 2010. Brahms’ Symphony #2 is often referred to as his Pastoral Symphony and was described by his friend Theodore Billroth, as filled with “rippling streams, blue sky, sunshine, and cool green shadows.” Schumann’s Third Symphony, the 'Rhenish', was his last symphony (the Fourth was actually written after the First). As its name suggests, the symphony is a celebration of the glorious Rhineland, which inspired generations of German composers, most notably Richard Wagner. The Skagit Symphony is very grateful for the ongoing support from the Anacortes Noon Kiwanis who has sponsored its youth program and various concerts in the past.