About the Oregon East Symphony

For over 30  years the Oregon East Symphony & Chorale has provided Pendleton and its surrounding rural region with high quality musical experiences and events. A volunteer Board of Directors guides the organization, which is administered by a management team consisting of an executive director and office support. This team, with the help of many devoted volunteers, facilitates an annual concert season 

Our Music Director and Conductor, Beau Benson, travels from Waco, Texas, to rehearse and conduct three of our symphony performances.

Musicians with the Oregon East Symphony & Chorale come from around the Pacific Northwest region to play. They hail from as far away as Portland, Eugene, Joseph, Baker City and La Grande in Oregon; and Spokane, Pullman, Vancouver, Tacoma, Ellensburg, Yakima, Tri-Cities and Walla Walla in Washington. The OES wishes to encourage all musicians, young and old, to find their musical roots and join in the music. You will always be welcome in the orchestra that fits your level of performance.

In addition to its regular concert series, the Symphony is committed to a unique and comprehensive youth music education project - Playing for Keeps - that supports, among other activities, two preparatory orchestras, a mentorship program for young musicians, scholarships for instrument rentals and music lessons and free concert tickets for students.

Our Board of Directors

John Wilson - President Michele Grable - Vice President

Mona Hern - Treasurer Kate Bottorff - Secretary

Steve Bass

May Benson - Youth Board Member

Nika Blasser

Kimberly Chavez-Sierra

Sylvia Clawson

Carolyn Frasier

Harriet Isom

Cheryl Marier

Sue Peterson

Ian Shadle

Jacob Try

Peter Willis

Mireya Wolf

Wanda Wyrick