LA GRANDE — The Grande Ronde Symphony Association will present a Chamber Series concert “Jazz it Up!” on Friday, June 14, in La Grande.

As a part of its Grande Rendezvous music series, the concert will be at Riverside Park pavilion, beginning at 7 p.m. It will feature the Blue Yesterdays.

Tickets are $12 general or $2 for children and students, and are available only online at GrandeRondeSymphony.org.

Special pricing is available for families and groups — inquire about “Grace Notes” at the door.

Blue Yesterdays

Blue Yesterdays plays big band music from yesteryear with members from Baker City, La Grande and Pendleton areas. It is a community jazz ensemble that was started in 1984 in Baker City.

The Blue Yesterdays was created as, and still is, an eclectic group of local professional and amateur volunteer musicians who come together out of a love of learning and playing big band era music.

The group has performed at the Powder River Music Revue in Baker City, as well as fundraising events. Several of the members also play in the Grande Ronde Symphony.

The Riverside Park pavilion is located at the corner of Spruce Street and Fruitdale Lane in La Grande. The pavilion has 12 picnic tables and there will be a few rows of chairs available, but those attending are encouraged to bring chairs.

About the symphony

The Grande Ronde Symphony Orchestra is believed to be the oldest continuously operating community symphony orchestra west of the Mississippi.

The orchestra began at Eastern Oregon College in 1946 with faculty and student musicians. The first meeting of the newly formed Grande Ronde Symphony association was held at Eastern Oregon College on Dec. 5, 1951, followed quickly by the adoption of a constitution, bylaws and election of officers and board members. The organization has been going ever since.

The orchestra presents an annual series of three concerts in Eastern Oregon University’s McKenzie Theater in Loso Hall and one concert in Baker City. The orchestra also performs at other events, such as the annual Holiday Music Festival. Many of the musicians in the orchestra form smaller ensembles to perform chamber concerts in area homes, as well.

For updates and season pass information, visit GrandeRondeSymphony.org.