Auburn Symphony previews next season, education programs on Auburn on Main podcast

Jonathan Glover, communications manager for the city of Auburn, and cohost Chester Boyd featured leaders of the Auburn Symphony Orchestra on the Auburn on Main podcast to discuss the orchestra’s remaining season, upcoming education programs and community concerts.

Rachel Perry, executive director of the Auburn Symphony Orchestra, said, “I think a lot of people don't realize that Auburn Symphony is a fully professional orchestra right here in Auburn.” She and Wes Schultz, the orchestra’s conductor and music director, described the ensemble’s year‑round programming and the group’s efforts to reach families and local audiences.

Why it matters: The orchestra programs a mix of classical repertory, contemporary works and film music aimed at broad community audiences, and it runs education offerings that pair musicians with local institutions. Perry said the organization plans to announce its full 2025–26 season in April, signaling continued public programming and outreach in Auburn.

Key facts and upcoming performances

- April program (early April): an all‑American program featuring music by Aaron Copland and Samuel Barber and a recent work by composer Carlos Simon (his suite of “four Black American dances”).

- May program (season finale): Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, including a full chorus and vocal soloists, which Schultz described as “music that we need… the message of it is unity, brotherhood, kindness, compassion.”

- Season announcement: Perry said the full 2025–26 season will be announced in April on the orchestra’s website, AuburnSymphony.org.

Education and community programs

- Rhythm and Rhymes: Perry described a new education program at the Postmark Center pairing an Auburn librarian with a musician for story time and live music aimed at children ages roughly 3–8. Sessions will run in April, May and June.

- Chamber and small‑venue programming: the orchestra’s musicians appear in smaller chamber concerts at the Postmark Center; Perry noted a March chamber program and a March 21, 7:30 p.m., chamber/jazz program by the ensemble Different Drummer at the Postmark Center.

Other community listings mentioned on the podcast

- March 13, 5 p.m.: Salvadoran folk art block‑printing workshop at the Postmark Center (sign‑up via the city community calendar).

- March 19, 6 p.m.: “Hunting, Fishing and Native Sovereignty,” a free program at the White River Valley Museum (wrvmuseum.org).

What the guests said about musicians and programming

Perry noted many Auburn Symphony players work across the region and in other professional ensembles and recording sessions. Schultz described the conductor’s role and said programming ranges from film music to contemporary scores and the classical canon; he emphasized the orchestra’s aim to present concerts that are “inviting to the whole Auburn community.”

How to find more information

Perry directed listeners to AuburnSymphony.org for tickets and season details and said many events are listed on the city’s community calendar and the Auburn WA newsletters.

Ending

Perry and Schultz encouraged local audiences to attend remaining season concerts and education programs; Perry reiterated the April season announcement and the orchestra’s ongoing outreach through Postmark Center events and family programming.