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.
Announcement:
Skagit Symphony Announces New Executive Director
May 27, 2024
Skagit Symphony is pleased to announce the appointment of Caroline (Carrie) Omdal as Executive Director. She succeeds Marna Fletcher, who is retiring on June 30.
Ray Horak, Skagit Symphony President, and a team of volunteers, Board members and key staff members conducted a thorough search and the Board is pleased to have found someone with Carrie’s background and skill set, especially so close to home.
Carrie comes to Skagit Symphony after 20+ years in the Air Force, retiring as a Lt. Colonel after having served as a Squadron Commander and Flight Commander. Carrie was deployed more than a few times to bases worldwide, including Germany, Afghanistan and Iraq. She also taught cadets for several years at the U.S. Air Force Academy. After they retired from the Air Force, Carrie and her husband Chris were eager to return to Chris’s hometown of Bow, or at least Skagit County. They now reside in Burlington, where they are firmly rooted.
Carrie has over 25 years of leadership experience, has managed large and small organizations, both military and civilian, and large budgets and fundraisers. She has 8 years of experience in the non-profit sector. As a bonus, Carrie is an accomplished musician who has played with Skagit Symphony.
Carrie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University, a Master of Science in Political Science from Troy University, and a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.
Announcement:
Skagit Symphony Executive Director Retires
April 2, 2024
Marna Fletcher, Executive Director of Skagit Symphony for the past nine years, has announced her retirement from that position effective June 30.
Marna’s relationship with Skagit Symphony began in 2009 as a volunteer on the Music Education Committee. Marna was Volunteer Coordinator and President-Elect in July 2015 when asked by the Skagit Symphony Board of Directors to step in as interim Executive Director. She immediately made a positive impact and quickly earned the permanent position. Through her individual efforts, and staff efforts under her guidance, Skagit Symphony has grown and prospered.
President Ray Horak and the entire Skagit Symphony Board thank Marna for her many years of dedicated service and are pleased that she enthusiastically has agreed to continue in some capacity to support 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