The Inland Northwest Musicians are preparing for the 24th season of providing orchestral and choral music to Northeastern Oregon and Southeastern Washington.

The region served by the orchestra is vast — as far north as Connell, Washington, east to Joseph, south to John Day and west to Condon. Admission to concerts is free thanks to donations, sponsors, grants and sustaining memberships. Performers volunteer their time and talent.

R. Lee Friese is the music director and conduction. Originally from Ohio, Friese has lived in the area for over 40 years, and is active in the Athena community.

This year, Phillip Simpson has been added to the artistic staff as an associate conductor.

Simpson, who has played in the brass section of the orchestra for several years, grew up on an apple farm in Milton-Freewater. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Pacific Lutheran University in 1984, and a master’s degree from Southern Oregon University in 1999.

He has taught instrumental music in the Washington public schools for 38 years, the last 26 years in the Kennewick School District.

Besides performing with the Inland Northwest Orchestra, Simpson has also played with the Yakima Symphony, Mid-Columbia Symphony and Walla Walla Symphony, and spent many years conducting the orchestras for the Columbia Basin College Summer Showcase musicals. He currently plays with several performing groups. He lives in Kennewick with his wife Carisa, son Carey and daughter Bailey.

Also new to the program this year is a beginning strings instruction class which started on Aug. 12 in Hermiston. Currently nine students are learning violin, viola, cello and bass and meet twice a week at the ARC building in Hermiston for lessons with two instructors.

Season

The Inland Northwest Orchestra will begin the season with a concert sponsored by Wallowa Valley Networks in Enterprise on Saturday, Oct. 15, 4 p.m. at the Enterprise Christian Church.

The Chorale plan their opening concert of the season on Saturday, Oct. 29 in Boardman with funds provided by the Morrow County Recreational District.

On Thursday, Nov. 10, there will be a fall Young People’s Concert in Wallowa sponsored by the Wallowa Future Foundation.

The Willowcreek Symphony will perform a pair of concerts the weekend of November 19 and 20 (locations TBA).

The Christmas concerts with both the Orchestra and the Chorale will be on Saturday, Dec. 17 in Stanfield and Sunday, Dec. 18 in Connell, Washington.

Looking at 2023, the Orchestra will play Feb. 18 in Heppner, and the Chorale’s early spring concert on March 4 will be in Waitsburg, Washington.

A spring Young People’s concert is scheduled for March 16 at the Hermiston Community Center with a public performance to follow March 18 in Irrigon.

A Young Artist Competition is planned for March 5 and winners of that competition will join the Orchestra on April 29 at the Hermiston Community Center for a public performance.

The season will conclude for both the Chorale and the Orchestra with the summer Pops Concert on June 11, 2023, in Baker City for the opening concert of the Powder River Music Review summer concert series.