Inland Northwest Musicians

Inland Northwest Musicians "Moving Music" (This number continues to grow yearly!) We ARE the only truly regional classical music organization in the Pacific Northwest. R. Mr.

Celebrating the 25th year of successful operation, Inland Northwest Musicians ensembles have performed almost 550 concerts in more than 40 different communities in Eastern Oregon and Southeast Washington. Inland Northwest Musicians operates three different performing ensembles:

● Inland Northwest Orchestra – a full symphony orchestra of approximately 50 members, with rehearsals held in Pendleton

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● Inland Northwest Chorale – a symphonic chorale group comprised of approximately 40 singers, with rehearsals held in Pendleton.
● Willow Creek Symphony – our west-oriented youth/preparatory orchestra comprised of approximately 30 members, currently rehearsing in Hermiston. Developing musicians of all ages (including adults) are welcome to participate in these last two ensembles. All musicians performing in the various Inland Northwest Musicians ensembles are volunteers. They donate their time and talent to participate. Many drive long distances to attend rehearsals and concerts. Musicians are drawn to each of our ensembles from throughout our vast service area. Lee Friese serves as Music Director and Conductor for all ensembles. He has a Master’s degree in both choral and instrumental conducting from Bowling Green University in Ohio. He has over 50 years experience in conducting and in music education. He served as Associate Conductor with the Youth Orchestra of Greater Fort Worth, Texas, Music Director and Conductor for the Walla Walla Symphony, and was Founding Conductor and Music Director of the Oregon East Symphony. Friese was one of the core founders of Inland Northwest Musicians in 1999. Starting in August of 2022, Phillip Simpson of Kennewick, Washington is serving on our Artistic Staff as an Associate Conductor. Phillip has been a valuable and dedicated part of the brass section of the orchestra for the last several years. Phillip grew up on an apple farm in Milton-Freewater, Oregon, graduating from McLoughlin High School. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Pacific Lutheran University in 1984 and a Master’s Degree from Southern Oregon University in 1999. Phillip has been teaching instrumental music in the Washington public schools for close to 40 years. The last 27 years has been spent teaching band, orchestra and general music in the Kennewick School District. Besides performing with the Inland Northwest Orchestra, Phillip has also played with the Yakima Symphony, Mid-Columbia Symphony and Walla Walla Symphony. He also spent many years conducting the orchestras for the Columbia Basin College Summer Showcase musicals. He currently plays with several performing groups, including playing tuba with the Mid-Columbia Brass Quintet, trumpet with the Swing Unlimited Big Band, trombone with the Columbia Basin Jazz Orchestra, and he sings and plays bass with Les Stress and the Testers swing band. He lives in Kennewick with his wife Carisa, son Carey and daughter Bailey.

On Saturday, May 30th, the Inland Northwest Musicians Brass Quintet performed a terrific concert at the Port of Morrow i...
06/02/2026

On Saturday, May 30th, the Inland Northwest Musicians Brass Quintet performed a terrific concert at the Port of Morrow in Boardman in the Riverside Room. Along with the Brass Quintet and Percussion, Amy Bowersox and Phillip Simpson performed a few lovely flute and guitar duets. Thank you goes to the Morrow County Unified Recreation District for funding this concert and to the Morrow County Cultural Coalition for their sponsorship, as well as to the Port of Morrow and Maria Madrigal for the use of the facility so that we could bring this free concert to the community. It was a joy!

The Desert Winds Flute Choir joined with the Inland NW Musicians Brass Quintet to present a wonderful concert in Boardma...
06/02/2026

The Desert Winds Flute Choir joined with the Inland NW Musicians Brass Quintet to present a wonderful concert in Boardman on Saturday, May 30th at the Port of Morrow in the Riverside Room. It was a joy to hear the different sizes of flutes and have an introduction to hear what music they produce collectively. Huge thank you to the Morrow County Unified Recreation District for providing funding for this concert and for the additional sponsorship from the Morrow County Cultural Coalition. Special thank you to Maria Madrigal and the Port of Morrow for the use of the space.

In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, Inland Northwest Musicians, joined by the Baker...
05/29/2026

In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, Inland Northwest Musicians, joined by the Baker City Community Choir, will be performing on Saturday, July 4, 2026 in the Pendleton Convention Center in Pendleton, OR, at 4:00 pm on the 4th of July as the final event after a full day of patriotic activities. We thank our sponsors, the Umatilla County Commissioners, for making this performances possible. Founded in 1999, Inland Northwest Musicians established its purpose as a regional, volunteer-based arts organization. We service 7 counties in Northeastern Oregon and 2 counties in Southeastern Washington, prioritizing underserved communities. This 4th of July concert will feature words and beliefs from two of our notable presidents, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. “Four Freedoms” by Joseph Martin, a brand new commissioned work for the 250th anniversary, is based on the “Four Freedoms” speech given in 1941 by Franklin D. Roosevelt. The piece and speech convey the importance of the four freedoms; Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Fear, and Freedom from Want, to all citizens of the planet. In addition, the orchestra will present “The Lincoln Portrait” by Aaron Copland, narrated by retired State Senator, Bill Hansell. Join us in celebrating Independence Day with an unforgettable afternoon of patriotic music!

In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, Inland Northwest Musicians, joined by the Baker...
05/29/2026

In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States of America, Inland Northwest Musicians, joined by the Baker City Community Choir, will be performing on Sunday, June 28th 2026 at 4:00 pm in the Geiser-Pollman Pavilion in Baker City, OR. We thank our sponsor, the Powder River Music R***e, for making this performance possible. Founded in 1999, Inland Northwest Musicians established its purpose as a regional, volunteer-based arts organization. We service 7 counties in Northeastern Oregon and 2 counties in Southeastern Washington, prioritizing underserved communities. This concert will feature words and beliefs from two of our notable presidents, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. “Four Freedoms” by Joseph Martin, a brand new commissioned work for the 250th anniversary, is based on the “Four Freedoms” speech given in 1941 by Franklin D. Roosevelt. The piece and speech convey the importance of the four freedoms; Freedom of speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Fear, and Freedom from Want, to all citizens of the planet. In addition, the orchestra will perform “The Lincoln Portrait” by Aaron Copland, which
will be narrated by retired State Senator, Bill Hansell. Join us in celebrating this pre-Independence Day with an unforgettable afternoon of patriotic music!

Take a look at our proposed board bylaws changes on our website: https://inlandnorthwestmusicians.com/aboutInland Northw...
05/26/2026

Take a look at our proposed board bylaws changes on our website: https://inlandnorthwestmusicians.com/about

Inland Northwest Musicians Annual Board Meeting:
Saturday, June 20th, 2026 at 10:00am in the Hermiston School District Building

We'll bring live music and fun to you!

On Saturday, May 30, 2026 Inland Northwest Musicians will be presenting the Inland Northwest Brass Quintet partnering wi...
05/13/2026

On Saturday, May 30, 2026 Inland Northwest Musicians will be presenting the Inland Northwest Brass Quintet partnering with the Desert Winds Flute Ensemble with an additional flute and guitar duet. This event will be held in the Port of Morrow Riverfront Event Center in Boardman, OR at 4:00pm. This offering will have a diverse selection of music including the Overture from “The Barber of Seville”, Kiss De’ Girl, Country Gardens, Shepherds Hey, Take the A Train, Pie in the Face Polka, and many more! Thank you to Morrow County Unified Recreation District for funding this event, and thank you to Morrow County Cultural Coalition and Port of Morrow for sponsoring this event. Be sure to mark your calendars, so you don’t miss this special performance!

Reminder for our performance tomorrow! In the Hermiston Community Center at 4:00pm on Sunday, May 3, 2026.
05/02/2026

Reminder for our performance tomorrow! In the Hermiston Community Center at 4:00pm on Sunday, May 3, 2026.

On Sunday, May 3, 2026, Inland Northwest Orchestra will be performing a concert alongside four young artists! The perfor...
04/17/2026

On Sunday, May 3, 2026, Inland Northwest Orchestra will be performing a concert alongside four young artists! The performance will be held in the Hermiston Community Center, Hermiston, OR, at 4:00pm. This performance will feature Ian Baxter (19, violin) on Romance in F Major, Christie Santosa (7th grade, violin) on Violin Concerto in G Major, Elisabeth Smith (11th grade, cello) on Cello Concerto in A minor, and Corrine Williamson (24, trumpet) on Concert Etude op. 49. Alongside our young artists, we will performing Light Cavalry Overture and Academic Festival Overture. This performance is sponsored by: the Kiwanis Club of Hermiston, the Hermiston TRT Fund, and the City of Hermiston. Be sure to see our skilled young artists on May 3rd!

Mark your calendars! Willow Creek Symphony will be performing in the Arlington High School Gym, Arlington, OR on Saturda...
03/17/2026

Mark your calendars! Willow Creek Symphony will be performing in the Arlington High School Gym, Arlington, OR on Saturday, April 4, 2026 at 4:00pm! This is the public concert in a pair of concerts, following our annual Young People’s Concerts on April 1 for grades 4-6 in our area! This performance will include A Pirate’s Legend, Russian Sailors’ Dance, Shenandoah, Simple Gifts, Russian Chorale and Overture, and Sambarina. This collection of pieces will be a unique and exciting offering, and we are looking forward to seeing you there!

We are looking for players for our Willow Creek Symphony! We rehearse on Tuesdays, at 6:30 in the Armand Larive Middle S...
02/26/2026

We are looking for players for our Willow Creek Symphony! We rehearse on Tuesdays, at 6:30 in the Armand Larive Middle School band room! The next rehearsal will be on Tuesday, March 3rd. We are welcoming beginner musicians, musicians that may be a bit rusty, and everything in between! Please contact us, if you are interested, planning to participate, or have questions!

Address

215 W Orchard Avenue
Hermiston, OR
97838

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+15412894696

Website

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