Oregon East Symphony

The OES Youth Orchestra, under the direction of Sam Ross, will present their free, Spring Concert at 7:00pm. Thursday, May 14th, 2026 at the Vert Auditorium (480 SW Dorion Ave, Pendleton, OR). Works to be performed include Norman Leyden's Serenade for String Orchestra, the Finale from Gustav Holst's St. Paul's Suite, Antonio Vivaldi's Concerto for Strings in D Major RV121, John F Paul's In Memoriam, and Aaron Copland's Rodeo. They will be joined by the Preludes Youth Orchestra, under the direction of Melinda Tovey with assistance from Emma Norquist, as well as students from Symphony Strings, an afterschool beginning strings program produced in collaboration with the Pendleton School District. The concert will be followed by a light reception with punch and cookies in the Vert Clubroom.

The OESYO and Preludes will also present an encore performance at the Pendleton Farmers Market, at 5:30pm, Friday, May 15th, 2026, on Main Street, Pendleton.

This concert is made possible with support from Funky Pup Cuts.

Join us at 2:30pm, Sunday, June 7th, 2026 at the Vert Auditorium (480 SW Dorion Ave, Pendleton, OR) as we celebrate the grand finale of our 40th Anniversary Season with a vibrant and compelling program that showcases the full range of the orchestra’s artistry.

The concert culminates in the dazzling 1946 revision of Petrushka by Igor Stravinsky - a colorful and rhythmically electrifying ballet score that brings to life the story of a tragic puppet caught in a world of magic and illusion.

Continuing a beloved season tradition, members of the orchestra step into the spotlight as featured soloists. Acting Concertmaster Việt Block and oboist Lauren Nebel perform Concerto for Violin and Oboe in C minor, BWV 1060R by Johann Sebastian Bach, a work of elegant interplay and expressive dialogue.

Opening the program is Odyssey Overture by Oregon composer Nicole Buetti, whose music brings a contemporary voice and local connection to the stage.

We will also present the OES College Scholarship to two young musicians who developed their musicianship within Playing for Keeps.

Celebrate four decades of music-making with an afternoon of brilliance, storytelling, and community.

This concert is made possible with the support of Amazon, Columbia Bank, the Port of Umatilla, Tom & Patricia Winn and Karen Campbell.

Reserved balcony and floor may be purchased online or at the Oregon East Symphony Office (10am-2pm, Mon-Thu, 345 SW 4th, Pendleton, OR; 541-276-0320)

Thanks to the Pendleton Foundation Trust free, unreserved floor level tickets are available from A Piece of Pendleton, CAPECO, Children's Museum of Eastern Oregon, Crow's Shadow Institute of the Arts, Great Pacific, Hamley's & Co. Western Store, Heritage Station Museum, Nicht-Yow-Way Senior Center, Oregon Grain Growers Brand Distillery, Pendleton Art and Frame, Pendleton Center for the Arts, Pendleton Ceramics, Pendleton Chamber of Commerce, Pendleton Music Company, Pendleton Recreation Center, Pendleton Public Library, Prodigal Son Brewery & Pub, Pendleton Underground Tours, Rainbow Cafe, Umatilla County Public Health, Unity Collectibles, Zimmerman’s Hardware and the Oregon East Symphony office.

The Oregon East Symphony's volunteer board of directors will present the Bach Yard Party fundraiser at 5pm, Saturday, June 13th, 2026 at The Secret Garden (480 SW Dorion Ave, Pendleton, OR). Proceeds from the Bach Yard Party will support Playing for Keeps, the Oregon East Symphony's classical music education program for rural youth.

There will be food and wine as well as an auction featuring a wide variety of items up for auction.

This event is made possible by Pioneer title Company of Umatilla County.

Early Bird Tickets- $65.00 (Sales ending May 18th)

Regular Tickets- $80.00

Tickets can be purchased online or by calling/visiting the OES Office (541-276-0320, 345 SW 4th, Pendleton, OR, 10am-2pm, M-Th).

Our mission is:

“To sustain a symphony orchestra, chorale and music education program to enhance the cultural richness of Umatilla and Morrow Counties and the Umatilla Indian Reservation.”

2025-2026 Season programming made possible with support from the Oregon Cultural Trust