Whidbey Island Orchestra

12/04/2025

Join us for some holiday tunes performed by your friends, family and neighbors!

03/09/2025

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11/14/2024

If you already saw this poster, note the location change!

09/11/2024

Musicians Wanted! Whidbey Island Orchestra will start rehearsals on October 10 for our inaugural concert under the baton of Assistant Conductor James Hinkley! We have some old favorites and some exciting new works. We will play several selections from the Nutcracker Suite, including an arrangement by James. We will have not just one ‘Sleigh Ride’, but three – the traditional Leroy Anderson, a Brazilian-style by Percy Faith, and a selection from Prokofiev. We’ll have carol arrangements, ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’, Bizet’s ‘Farandole’, and a narrated musical piece not yet finalized.

Rehearsals are Thursday evenings, 6:30 – 8:30 pm, at Island Church of Whidbey in Langley.

The orchestra welcomes musicians of all ages who play at intermediate level and above. We especially invite young musicians, with or without previous orchestra experience. We’ll take good care of you and give you time to develop. Adults pay $35 dues per concert series to defray music purchase, conductor stipend, and orchestra administration. Youth (age 18 and below) do not pay dues. Details on the ‘Info for Members’ page of the website.

Our Christmas concerts are scheduled for December 13 at Island Church of Langley and December 15 at Trinity Lutheran Church.

Check out our website for more! A link to much, but not yet all, of the music is on the ‘Rehearsals and Concerts’ page. More scores will be coming in the next couple of weeks.

08/20/2024

A message from the Board:

Cynthia Morrow is the heart and soul of our orchestra. Since she became our Principal Conductor in the 2015-2016 season, she has developed the orchestra in terms of repertoire, musicianship, cohesiveness, and musical direction.

As some of you already know, Cynthia suffered a stroke on August 4, 2024. It now appears that Cynthia's rehabilitation from the stroke will take time, and it is unclear when or if she will be able to return to her former activities. The Whidbey Island Orchestra Board has had to make some decisions about the near future.

Fortuitously, James Hinkley came on board as Assistant Director in April. The vision was that he would gradually grow his involvement in the orchestra over time. That time is now compressed. James is passionately dedicated to the orchestra, as Cynthia is, but he has other commitments that he cannot just drop.

The Board and James have elected to cancel the October 31 concert at WICA and the November 17 community concert at Trinity Lutheran. James will start rehearsals mid-October for the Christmas concerts which we will hold on December 13 at Island Church and December 15 at Trinity. We will also present the Skylark concert on December 14 at WICA's Zech Hall. A date for resuming Skylark rehearsals has not yet been set. The remaining concerts for the concert year will be held as scheduled.

Cynthia has developed the orchestra into a capable, fulfilling, supportive, and fun group. We expect this will continue. In his week as conductor of the Summer Sightreading Workshop, James made a great impression for his preparation, clarity, good humor, and historical knowledge. He treated the musicians with respect and enthusiasm, while filling in knowledge gaps and inspiring the best performance from each of us.

The orchestra depends on its musician members for its success. A hearty turnout once rehearsals resume is the best way to honor Cynthia and continue her vision for the orchestra.

05/11/2024

Need something to do with Mom? This is going to be a lovely concert Sunday afternoon at Trinity Lutheran. Our own young violinist Josephine Chia will play, and the Island Consort Singers will accompany the orchestra in Lux Aeterna, and you'll all love the Haydn! Admission by donation, 3 PM (get there a little earlier) Sunday, Mother's Day.

04/30/2024

Join us for Mother's Day and this lovely concert featuring Josephine Chia, Violin, The Island Consort Singers, and the Whidbey Island Orchestra!

02/24/2024

07/31/2023

We had a great time at Dancing Fish yesterday playing at Whidbey Island Orchestra’s “An Evening in Granada” Gala!
Photo: Victoria Karno

06/08/2023

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