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

The PTSO board would like to thank our former Conductor/Director Tigran Arakelyan for his devoted 9-year service to our organization. We wish him all the best as he explores new musical opportunities and adventures.

The 2026/2027 concert season features a talented group of four finalists for the position of PTSO Conductor/Artistic Director.

Here are their names and concert dates!

The response to this position opening was outstanding. The selection committee interviewed many highly qualified candidates so it was a difficult task to choose only four finalists from such a strong field. This season we will feature each finalist in a full concert that is planned, rehearsed and conducted by them. We hope audience members are as excited as the orchestra members are to meet these talented conductors and to enjoy their unique musical offerings in concert.

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.

CANDIDATE & CONCERT DETAILS

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Port Townsend Chamber Music Series

We take summers off, but the Port Townsend Chamber Music Series will return with a new schedule of three concerts in Fall 2026, Winter 2026 and Spring 2027. Stay tuned!

Details here soon!

PTSO Young Artist Competition

We will be scheduling another Young Artist Competition in spring 2027 and all the details will be posted here. Musicians ages 4-22 may participate.

Click here for details from last year.

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 sup port 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

Conductor & Artistic Director

The PTSO board looks forward to featuring the biographies and photos of our four finalists above for the position of Conductor/Director.

Each finalist will conduct a full concert during the 2026/2027 season.

At the end of the 2026-2027 concert season our new Conductor/Artistic Director will be announced. Join us!

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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Latest Press!

PTSO Press – check it out!

Guitarist Mark Hilliard and our former 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 cli cking 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