Eugene Symphony Association

In 2022/23, Eugene Symphony Association (ESA) produced a full season of performances at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts, comprising nine subscription Symphonic Series concerts, two single-ticket Special concerts, and two single-ticket family concerts. The events drew a total 19,607 patrons of all ages. Highlights included the world premiere of Angelica Negron's Symphony No. 1 and the Pacific Northwest premiere of Gabriella Smith's One (both co-commissioned by ESA and Santa Rosa Symphony as part of the joint First Symphony project); the second installment of ESA's three-year "elevated recital" production of Wagner's Tristan und Isolde; the Pacific Northwest premiere of The Fretless Clarinet by David Krakauer and Kathleen Tagg, with clarinetist Krakauer in his Eugene debut; ESA premieres of works by Lili Boulanger, Marianna Martines, Lera Auerbach, Jessie Montgomery, Haydn, and Brahms; ESA debuts by pianists Orion Weiss, Clair Huangci, and Pallavi Mahidhara; violinists Keila Wakao and Julian Rhee; clarinetist Carey Bell; and conductors Nicholas McGegan and Joseph Young; and the launch of a new holiday event, the New Year's Celebration. ESA also broadcast its Hult Center performances on classical radio KWAX, reaching 45,000 potential listeners region wide. An additional 14,430 children and adults took part in the Symphony's Education and Community Outreach (EdCE) activities.

ESA strives to foster an appreciation of classical music among people of all ages and backgrounds. Through its Education and Community Engagement (EdCE) Program, ESA annually extends quality opportunities for music education, participation, and enrichment to youth, adults, and seniors throughout the Willamette Valley. As a professional orchestra residing within a particularly active music community, ESA also strives to mentor regional musicians at every stage of their musical development and to serve as an incubator for the next generation of classical music talent. To this end, ESA regularly collaborates with area music programs--including the University of Oregon (UO) School of Music and Dance, community-based youth orchestras, and numerous middle- and high-school ensembles--to provide ongoing artistic development opportunities for pre-professional and aspiring musicians. Through remote and in-person activities, ESAs 2022/23 EdCE programs have served 14,309 community members of all ages to date, and have extended participation to residents in six counties (Lane, Benton, Douglas, Clackamas, Marion, and Multnomah).