OSB is Oregon’s premier symphonic band based in Portland, Oregon (USA). It was originally formed in 1986 to allow local professional and expert amateur musicians (many of them music teachers and band directors) to play challenging wind ensemble music. The award-winning band is comprised of 65 brass, woodwind and percussion musicians. They all volunteer to play together for their love of music. These passionate musicians are some of the area’s best professional and amateur instrumentalists.
OSB has performed extensively across the Portland metropolitan area. Concerts are also held throughout Oregon and Washington including Clatskanie, Hillsboro, Canby, Forest Grove, St. Helens, Scappoose, Vancouver and Camas.
OSB is a 501(c)(3) non-profit arts organization. We are grateful to our supporters for ensuring the continuation of quality band performances.
Giving Back
OSB shares our love of music with school and college students. The OSB educational outreach initiative includes annual performances with the Portland Youth Wind Ensemble. Student admission to all OSB concerts is subsidized and low cost (sometimes free). Band members volunteer at student performance clinics and master classes. School service projects are supported through a variety of student volunteer opportunities.
OSB has been fortunate to have musical directors with expansive knowledge of concert band repertoire. Download the OSB archive of past performances as a reference for bands seeking concert music programming ideas.
Honors
- 2005 Invited performer at the All-Northwest National Association for Music Education (formerly MENC), Eugene, OR
- 2006 Invited performer at the prestigious Midwest Clinic in Chicago, IL
- 2007 Awarded the Sudler Silver Scroll by the John Philip Sousa foundation
- 2013 Invited performer at The Western International Band Clinic in Seattle, WA
- 2015 Invited performer at the American Bandmasters Association annual conference in Reno, NV
- 2022 Invited performer at the Association of Concert Bands annual conference in Santa Fe, NM
Commissions
- Beautiful Oregon by James Barnes for our 20th anniversary
- Bridge of The Gods by James Curnow for our 25th anniversary
- She Flies With Her Own Wings by Ralph Ford for our 30th anniversary
- Seas of the Moon by Robert Buckley
Guest Soloists include Marty Erickson, tuba; Barbara Heilmair; clarinet, Harry Watters, trombone; Bill Watrous, trombone; Jeff Work, cornet; Fred Sautter, cornet; Allen Vizzutti, trumpet; James Walker, flute; Tall Jazz trio; Margie Boule, vocalist; and John Reitz Jr., piano
Guest conductors include Norman Leyden, conductor and arranger; Thomas Lee, UCLA Director of Bands Emeritus; Pat Vanderhey, Associate Professor of Music at Portland State University; Rodney Dorsey, University of Oregon Director of Bands; David Gillingham, Composer and Central Michigan University Professor of Music; Rebecca Phillips, Colorado State University Director of Bands; Douglas Macaulay, Conductor & Founder of Con Brio Festivals.