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“I believe in building communities through music, involving and inspiring the community through the orchestral experience.”

Tigran Arakelyan
Conductor & Artistic Director

(Photo from 40 under 40)

Port Townsend Symphony Orchestra 2025/2026 Concert Dates

October 26, 2025
December 7, 2025
February 22, 2026
April 26, 2026

Symphony concerts are Sunday afternoons at 2 pm at the Chimacum School Auditorium, 91 W. Valley Road, Chimacum.

Open dress rehearsals are held at 7 pm on the Friday evening before each Sunday afternoon concert.

PTSO concerts are FREE to attend, but not free to produce. Donations are always gratefully accepted at the door, through the mail or with Paypal.

Symphony season details here

UPCOMING CONCERT: OCTOBER 26, 2025

Featuring composer Antoine Martel on Guitar, Piano, Electronic/Digital Music

​Antoine Martel was born and raised in Bellevue, Washington, and has been playing music for 27 years. A McGill University graduate with a degree in music (composition), his primary instruments are synthesizer/keyboards, piano, and guitar (acoustic & electric) though he plays many more than those 3. He’s a founding member and currently plays in “High Pulp” & “sunking,” two bands signed to Anti- Records, as well as being a professional composer & producer going by the name of “sous chef.” He has been playing piano since the beginning, guitar for 16 years, and synthesizers for 12, studying both locally (once a Music Works student himself), and internationally in Montreal. He previously served on the faculty of the Academie de Musique de Montreal, and is a past director of Music Works’ Rock Shop summer camps. He is excited to share his love and passion for music & art with others.

In Antoine’s words, “Music. What is it? How is it made? Why are we, as a species, creating it? Playing it? Or even listening to it? As one of the most widely accepted artistic forms of self expression, music allows us to tap into something outside of ourselves. It transcends you, me, even our planet, and there is no greater gift than to be a part of it. This is a gift I would love to share with you!

PROGRAM

William Grant Still, Threnody In Memory of Jan Sibelius
Antoine Martel, Pas un Monde Mais un Miroir for keyboard, piano, electronics and orchestra *Premiere

intermission
Tchaikovsky Symphony no. 2

Details here

Port Townsend Chamber Music Series

DATES FOR 2025/26 COMING SOON!

This FREE concert series features local award-winning soloists, recitalists, chamber musicians and PTSO members. Donations are always gratefully accepted at the door. Seating is limited and no tickets or reservations are required. We hope you can join us for a short reception after the concert.

Details here

PTSO Young Artist Competition

Senior level participants and prize winners in the 2025 PTSO Young Artist Competition. (Photo by Karl Perry)

The 2026 PTSO Young Artists Competition date is not yet set, but is usually held in March. The date will be posted here in the fall of 2025 so stay tuned and keep practicing!

Click here for details.

How to Support PTSO

The best way to stay up-to-date about PTSO concerts and activities is to:

Subscribe to the PTSO newsletter

Follow us on Facebook

Your gift helps us play on.

You can support PTSO via PAYPAL

About the Symphony

The Mission of the Port Townsend Symphony Orchestra is to entertain, inspire and engage our community through musical excellence and affordable concerts.

Artistic Leadership

Tigran Arakelyan
Conductor & Artistic Director

Tigran Arakelyan is an award-winning conductor, who holds a number of posts in addition to the Port Townsend Symphony. He is the Music Director of Northwest Mahler Festival and ORS of Tacoma. Previously, he was the assistant conductor of California Philharmonic and made his Walt Disney Concert Hall conducting debut in 2019. Tigran played alongside Sir James Galway during Galway’s induction into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. Most recently, 425 Business named Tigran in the 40 under 40 for 2023. He received a Doctorate in Musical Arts from the University of Washington.

http://www.tigranarakelyan.com/

“I believe that it is the conductor’s duty to communicate with the audience throughout the concert to make it an enjoyable and a learning experience for everyone involved.

I believe in building communities through music, involving and inspiring the community through the orchestral experience. An orchestra is an integral part of the community and should work as such through collaborations.

The goal of a symphony orchestra should include, providing education for the community through a variety of projects. This can be done through concerts but most importantly through collaborations. Collaborations with local artists, choirs, dance companies, museums, galleries, theaters, community and professional arts organizations are vital for the growth of a symphony orchestra.”

Fiona Skidmore and Lisa Minnihan show off their fun scroll toppers knitted by fellow violist Amelia Breithaupt.

Joining PTSO

The Port Townsend Symphony Orchestra was formed in 1987. Orchestra members are your friends, neighbors, and co-workers — the people you see and work with every day in the community. PTSO is an all-volunteer orchestra. We welcome accomplished musicians of all ages and backgrounds. Auditions are held on an as-needed basis. To learn more about joining the Orchestra, please drop us a note.

Email PTSymphony

Rehearsal Schedule

  • Rehearsals are typically held Tuesday nights from 7-9 pm. Please contact PTSO for rehearsal location.
  • Rehearsals run through the months of September, October, November, January, February, March and April.
  • Often, but not always, the second rehearsal is a strings sectional.

Concert Dates

Dates can change, but this is the standard formula:
Last Sunday in October
First Sunday in December
Last Sunday in February
Last Sunday in April

Dress Rehearsals

Dress rehearsals are on the Friday evenings before each performance from 7:00 to 9:00 at the concert hall at Chimacum School Auditorium, 91 W Valley Rd, Chimacum, 98325.  Dress rehearsals are casual.

Concert dress

Ladies, all black (slacks, dresses, or skirts), including hosiery and shoes: no bare legs or feet. Dresses and skirts at least knee-length when seated. Long or 3/4 length sleeves: no bare arms. Gentlemen, black suits with jacket, white shirt and black bow tie, black socks and shoes.

Performance call time is 30 minutes before the concert begins.

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Conductor Tigran Arakelyan displays unique concert dress below during a program featuring movie music by John Williams, including Superman Returns.

Latest Press!

PTSO Press – check it out!

Guitarist Mark Hilliard and conductor Tigran Arakelyan celebrate after another successful PTSO program.

News articles about PTSO concerts and activities are archived here.

Our full orchestra photo portrait can be accessed by clicking here!

Get Involved!

You Can Get Involved!

We invite your active involvement with the Port Townsend Symphony Orchestra! Below are links to information related to being a Donor, Sponsor or Volunteer. Click on “Learn More” for details and if you have any questions feel free to contact us. We would love to have you on our team!

Be a Donor

Every dollar you can give helps us continue to perform great music and supports our special programs to promote music learning and engagement in the Port Townsend community.

Learn More

Be a Sponsor

We work with many types of sponsors and grants, including matching grants, sponsorships for licensing music for recording and broadcasting, and sponsorships for special programs.

Learn More

Be a Volunteer

Our volunteers run the donations and refreshments tables at our performances, help guests find seating, take photos for our social media and marketing endeavors, and man the lighting and sound booth.

Learn More