Seattle Symphony Orchestra

Seattle Symphony, a vital part of the Pacific Northwest cultural scene, is recognized for its extraordinary performances, programming, recordings and community engagement. With a dedicated subscriber base of more than 36,000 patrons, the Symphony performs or presents nearly 220 performances annually to an audience of more than 315,000 people. In both 2007 and 2008, Seattle Symphony won Emmy Awards for its first two self-produced television specials, Seattle Symphony From Benaroya Hall, and Seattle Symphony From Benaroya Hall: Brahms, Kernis and Kodály.

From its first performance on December 29, 1903, Seattle Symphony has held a unique place in the world of symphonic music. During its formative years, it was the charismatic Sir Thomas Beecham who most developed the Orchestra's skill and reputation. In 1954, Milton Katims began his 22-year tenure as Music Director, greatly expanding the Symphony's education programs. Rainer Miedél, Music Director from 1976 until his death in 1983, led the Orchestra on its first European tour in 1980.

Since Gerard Schwarz's appointment in 1983, the Symphony has experienced an era of unprecedented artistic growth, with a reputation for innovative and adventurous programming and recording. Seattle Symphony has made more than 100 recordings and garnered 11 Grammy nominations. The Orchestra has given 70 premieres since 1983, including commissions by seven major American composers in celebration of the Symphony's Centennial Season in 2003–2004. Both in live performance and on recordings, Seattle Symphony has devoted itself to presenting often-neglected masterpieces by mid-20th century composers, whose music is once again establishing itself in the hearts of American concertgoers. Many of these works can now be heard on re-mastered recordings recently issued on the Naxos label.

In 1998, Seattle Symphony inaugurated its new home, Benaroya Hall, noted for its architectural and acoustical splendor, and now celebrating its 10th Anniversary. Three years later, the Orchestra opened Soundbridge Seattle Symphony Music Discovery Center, where people of all ages explore the world of symphonic music through exhibits, classes and live music presentations. The Symphony’s education programs, alongside its nationally recognized community engagement programs, bring classical music to nearly 90,000 people of all ages each year, including students at 190 schools in the Pacific Northwest.