Olympia Symphony Orchestra
The lights dim and a hushed anticipation settles over the audience. The rustling of programs ceases as the conductor steps onto the podium, raising her baton. And just like that, the first notes of the Olympia Symphony Orchestra resonate through the theater, rich and immersive, transporting you to a different realm.
Olympia Symphony Orchestra
The Olympia Symphony Orchestra is a community-based, semi-professional orchestra based in Olympia, Washington, that serves the South Puget Sound region. Our mission is to provide the highest quality live music to enrich, educate, and entertain an expanding audience. Founded in 1947, it serves as a platform for local musicians to come together and perform orchestral music, enriching the cultural life of the region. The OSO has grown to become the premiere orchestra in the South Sound, acclaimed for its commitment to both community and artistic excellence.
The orchestra’s typical season includes five regular season concerts at the Washington Center for the Performing Arts, a free outdoor summer concert and holiday concert, and various chamber music performances at retirement communities, schools, and public events.
Meet the Conductor
Working with the most important ensembles and figures in both classical and pop music, Alexandra Arrieche possesses an innate talent for moving adeptly between musical genres. She commands a wide range of musical leadership skills, engaging a variety of audiences and communities joyfully and with resounding success. These qualities distinguish her as one of the most unique and exciting conductors of her generation.
Currently Alexandra serves as Music Director of the Henderson Symphony Orchestra (NV), Principal Conductor of the Antwerp Philharmonic Orchestra and was recently appointed Music Director of the Olympia Symphony Orchestra.
As a guest conductor Alexandra has appeared with some of the finest orchestras on three continents including the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Sinfonietta, Classical Music Institute, the Sarasota Orchestra, OFUNAM (Mexico) and Mexico National Orchestra, Filarmed (Colombia), and the Orquestra Sinfonica de Porto Alegre (Brazil).
Sweeney Todd: The Deamon Barber of Fleet Street - a dark, witty, Tony Award-winning tale of love, murder, and revenge set against the backdrop of 19th century London. Sweeney Todd is a bloody, worldwide success since being awarded eight Tony’s (including Best Musical), for its Broadway premiere. Stephen Sondheim’s and Hugh Wheeler’s tasty, thrilling, theatrical treat has simultaneously shocked, awed, and delighted audiences across the world. This musical must be heard with a full orchestra, organ, and choir!
Reflecting our desire for exploration and expression, this season is a kaleidoscope of all the ways music touches our lives and engages us, while fostering joy, creativity, and connection.
Fostering Musicians' Success Through Education
Education is a core element of our mission. We are proud of our collaborations with Student Orchestras of Greater Olympia (SOGO) and hope to expand our educational programs and outreach in the coming years. We have long-standing relationships with other arts organizations such as Ballet Northwest, Olympia Youth Chorus, Emerald City Music, Bridge Music Project, and Olympia Choral Society.