The Tacoma Symphony Orchestra (TSO) has been a vital part of Tacoma’s cultural landscape since 1946, and has operated as a professional symphony orchestra for the past 20.   With 80 contracted musicians and an affiliated community chorus, the TSO brings music into the lives of more than 15,000 citizens annually throughout the South Puget Sound. 

The TSO presents classical, contemporary popular, world music, choral, a new family concert series, in-school assemblies, master classes and educational concerts each season.  Its flagship education program, Simply Symphonic, earns the accolades of educators who value the program’s integrated approach and quality presentation. 

Mission 

Building community through music.

Vision

Capture the imagination of the community with extraordinary performance experiences, educational offerings and community partnerships that bring diverse people together.

The Tacoma Symphony Orchestra’s mission – "building community through music" – is realized through three primary offerings:  its main Concert Series, Family Concerts, and the award-winning Simply Symphonic education program. 

The core music of the TSO’s concert offerings is the great Classical orchestral repertoire.  This magnificent and powerful body of music has inspired generations for hundreds of years. However, the orchestra also performs the music of: Jazz, Rock, World Music, Broadway, Video Games, and even Country.  Our musicians play all of these styles with the same professionalism and delight that they bring to the traditional repertoire.

Education is intrinsic to the TSO’s mission, and the award-winning Simply Symphonic program is our most significant educational offering.  In this day and age, children have few opportunities to experience a live symphony orchestra.  For many, Simply Symphonic marks their first exposure and their first time ever at the Pantages Theater in downtown Tacoma.  The resulting impact must be seen to be appreciated. 

http://www.tacomasymphony.org/index.php/Concerts

Board Members

Board of Directors

Dick Ammerman, Board President

Richard Bowe                             

Don Brown

Dianne Conway

Clark D'Elia, Secretary       

Mike De Luca, Treasurer

Jon Duncan, Past President              

Karla Epperson

Katie Elshire

Andrea Hynes, 2nd Vice President

Hallie Johnston

Kathy Keele

Kenton Lee

Joe Lopez, 1st Vice President

Shannon Michlitsch

Cindy Peterson

Kerstin Shaffer

Kevin Stirret-Jones

Board of Advisors

John Folsom

John Guadnola

Marcia Moe

James Shoemake

William T. Weyerhaeuser