Philharmonia Northwest / Orchestra News

Orchestra News

Mar. 6, 2026 – by Libby

Our annual Orchestra Meeting will be held on Tuesday May 19 starting at 7:15pm at Shoreline Unitarian Universalist Church in Shoreline. (Same space as the last few years.). Please plan to attend to find out the repertoire planned for next season, review the financials, socialize, and learn about the behind-the-scenes work from the board and staff. Please bring a potluck snack and/or beverages.

  • Tuesday, May 19 7:15 – 9:30ish
  • Shoreline UU (14724 1st Ave NE, Shoreline, WA 98155) – smaller building (not dome)
  • Bring goodies!
I will share the meeting on Zoom, so if you can’t attend, you can view my presentation on zoom. (Link to be shared the day of the event.)

Jan. 14, 2026 – by Libby

KING FM Northwest Focus Live

We have been invited to perform on KING FM radio for their Northwest Focus Live segment on Friday March 27. We will play snippets from all three pieces on our program for the March 29 concert, and our soloist Sandra Wright Shen will perform a solo piece as well. Michael is currently working on exactly which pieces will be played. There will be short interviews with Michael and Sandra. This is a great opportunity to get publicity for our concert and for Philharmonia in general!

Michael and I have been to the space which is the rehearsal room for the Seattle Opera. There is room for all of us there, and we’ll be one of the largest groups to perform live on King.

Parking may be a challenge so carpooling is encouraged. If folks want to gather afterwards for bites and brews I recommend McMenamins (200 Roy Street, 2 blocks from the Opera house).

I’ll send more information as it becomes available. Here’s what I have so far:

For now, please consider Fri 3.27.26 confirmed in our calendar for Philharmonia Northwest – we look forward to collaborating with you next year.

    • Timing: On the performance date, we ask that you and any collaborators arrive at the Classical KING station in the Seattle Opera building by 5:15 PM. The production will run until 8:30 PM, and we will need your availability for this entire timeframe.
    • Music Selection & Interview: For the show, please prepare two or more pieces, totaling approximately 40-45 minutes of music. The rest of the broadcast will consist of an on-air interview with a Classical KING radio host.
    • Instrumentation: We have a grand piano available in the studio for your use. If your performance includes other musicians or collaborators, please make arrangements to bring them along, as we are unable to provide additional performers.

October 6, 2025 – by Libby

Tomorrow, 10/7 we will be in the auditorium at Shorecrest for rehearsal. The schedule has changed:
Tues. Oct 7
7:15  Meyer
7:45  Puts – Intro, I, and III
8:15  Break
8:25  LvB (spots and transitions)
9:15  Puts – IV
Also tomorrow – we are having a Zoom meeting with Jessica Meyer, the composer of Turbulent Flames! Michael will be interviewing her and we’ll learn more about her and the work we are playing. This interview will be recorded. If you have any questions about the piece please email me today and we’ll ask her, or join the call!
Tues. Oct 7 9:00am – Zoom Interview with Jessica Meyer
Some exciting news to share: we will be featured on KING FM’s Northwest Focus Live on March 27! We will promote our March 29 concert and hope to have our soloist perform. More details to follow – save the date! Time TBD but I think it’s at 7:00pm.

 

September 5, 2025 – by Libby

It’s almost time to play together again! Our first rehearsal is next Tuesday for strings only. I have attached the Rehearsal Schedule and have also saved it on the MembersOnly page of our website.
We have recordings of the Meyer and the Puts. You are welcome to listen to these recordings as you prepare. Please don’t share these—the recording of the Puts is unofficial (bootleg!). Here are links to the recordings. Please let me know if you need access to the Google drive.

 

Fun Gatherings

 

August 26, 2025 – by Libby

Concert Updates
  • The first rehearsal is strings only. Michael is working on bowings.
  • Folders aren’t ready yet because the rental for the Puts has been delayed. We have parts for the “Turbulent Flames” and I have saved them on our Google Drive. (Let me know if you need access.). I have saved the scores and parts. Here is the link to the folder for the first concert: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1PG9sU7AhsxzKQOGkQ47BHwcCheXeVwXx
  • We will have the Beethoven original parts in our folders. Until then, find your part on IMSLP: Beethoven
 
Musician Updates
  • Geoff Groshong is returning to the oboe section later this year! We are thrilled to welcome him back from his orchestra sabbatical.
  • A member of our horn section just got married! Hayley Stephenson is now Hayley Conwell. Congrats, Hayley!
  • Four of our musicians who double on saxophone performed the National Anthem at the Mariners game on August 24. I went to cheer them on and it was so fun! Congratulations to Sarah Peniston, Michael Murray, Sara Jolivet, and Michel Jolivet – the saxophone quartet known as the Bi-Saxuals. ;-). They played great and the audience was huge!

August 11, 2025 – by Libby

Hi everyone! The PhilNW staff has been working over the summer on lots of details for next season. Here are some highlights.

  • New Members section in our website! This is in development so check back for updates.
  • Music Folders will be ready by August 25, 2025. Sarah Peniston is our new Librarian! You’ll hear from us as soon as folders are ready.
  • We have an ad in the Encore Performing Arts guide – take a look if you receive it.
  • Our first rehearsal on September 9 is for strings only.
  • Season postcards will be sent to print this week and we’ll have some to share at rehearsal.
  • The rehearsal on November 22, 2025 has been cancelled. Please update your calendar.
  • We added a sensory-friendly concert for our Children’s Concert day on 11/23 at 12:00pm. The traditional concert will be at 2:00pm.
  • Our final concert of the season will be April 26, 2026 with KCS at the new Northshore Concert Hall at Inglemoor High School. We are excited to perform at Northshore for the first time.