About the Northwest Symphony Orchestra

The Northwest Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1987. Since that time, the orchestra has received local, regional, and national acclaim, having been featured several times on National Public Radio. Music Director Anthony Spain and the NWSO have recorded two CDs (on the KOCH and Albany labels of New York). These CD’s have been highly praised by sources including the American Record Guide “…sound is beautiful, playing excellent” and Fanfare “... first class orchestra…This is a first class production all around”. Melinda Bargreen of the Seattle Times has described Dr. Spain and the Northwest Symphony Orchestra performances as “…strong, committed impassioned performances. “Shard” a CD of music by Michael Nicolella with the NWSO and Anthony Spain conducting, was voted CD of the month in the June/July 2006 issue of “Guitare Classique” in France.

Mission

The mission of the NWSO is to be the premier orchestra in performing and promoting the music of contemporary northwest composers while also performing, and educating, the public in the full spectrum of classical music.

Commitment to Northwest Composers and to the community

The NWSO’s commitment to northwest composers is unparalleled, first coming to national attention in 1996 with a mention in a front page Wall Street Journal article regarding up and coming arts groups. Recently, the NWSO reached the milestone of performing 100 works by local northwest composers in its history. This strong commitment to local composers in the northwest has garnered seven national ASCAP (American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers) awards for “Programming of Contemporary Music” (Two first place national awards in 2007 and 1994, one second place national award in 2001, and four third place national awards in 2004, 1998, 1996, 1993).

The NWSO has performed with a variety and eclectic mix of internationally known artists including Alice in Chains, Anne and Nancy Wilson of Heart, and most recently in May 2009 with the legendary Natalie Cole. The NWSO home and base of operations is the Highline Performing Arts Center in Burien and the Highline School District. The NWSO receives funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, 4 Culture and Washington State Arts Commission, as well as from the cities of Burien and SeaTac. The NWSO also performs an annual benefit concert for Seattle Children’s Hospital in Benaroya Hall in downtown Seattle.