Our Story - Oregon Symphonic Band

Our Story

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 believes that sharing our love of music with the community and next generation of musicians is vital for a healthy creative arts ecosystem. Our focus on music education and community engagement is central to our mission as a band. All OSB performances are FREE to youth under 18. We are proud participants in the Regional Arts and Culture Council’s Arts for All program, providing discounted tickets to SNAP/EBT card holders, college students and seniors. We regularly invite guest musicians from local high schools and colleges to perform with us; in 2024-25 our honored guests included students from Century High School, Forest Grove High School, Gladstone High School, Oregon City High School, and Pacific University.

Community support initiatives have included fundraising for and awarding a Supplemental Music Assistance grant to school and community youth music programs; chamber music performances at local retirement homes and senior centers; and sending OSB members into schools to provide instrumental coaching. OSB is honored to be the featured musical ensemble at the annual Memorial Day ceremony and service at the Willamette National Cemetery.

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.