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.
