The Mission of the Port Townsend Symphony Orchestra is to entertain, inspire and engage our community through musical excellence and affordable concerts.
Join us for a spectacular 2026-2027 concert season as four extraordinary finalists take center stage, each bringing their unique passion, artistry and vision in pursuit of the role of PTSO Conductor/Artistic Director.
| MATTHEW SALVAGGIO | HSING-HUI HSU | FAITH FOSTER | THOMAS BLOMSTER |
| Oct. 25, 2026 | Dec. 6, 2026 | Feb. 28, 2027 | April 25, 2027 |
December 6 Conductor and Program
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Hsing-Hui received her Bachelor of Arts in Clarinet Performance from Rice University and became a software engineer for several years. She helped found the Amazon Symphony, working with Seattle area non-profits where she discovered how orchestras can create a sense of connection between people of diverse backgrounds. She now dedicates herself full time to music, both conducting and playing with Washington groups. She is acting principal clarinet of the Yakima Symphony, founded and conducts the Emerald City Chamber Orchestra, and is a frequent guest player in other Seattle area professional orchestras. Hsing-Hui lives in Seattle.
PROGRAM
Overture to The Magic Flute by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Through The Bay by Joe Jaxson
A Letter from Sullivan Ballou by John Kander – Cassandra Willock, soprano
Symphony No. 8 (Unfinished) by Franz Schubert
Waltz of the Flowers (from Nutcracker Suite) by Tchaikovsky
A Musical Voyage. The first time I came to the Pacific Northwest, the natural beauty of the mountains and waterways took my breath away. I will never forget that experience riding on the ferry through Puget Sound, feeling the wind and the wildness of the region as I stood on the deck. Now, nearly fifteen years later, I still feel that same exhilaration when I am on the water — an exhilaration also experienced by young Texas-based composer Joe Jaxson on his first ferry ride on the Salish Sea. Having this voyage by ferry, such a quintessential part of life in the Pacific Northwest, encapsulated in music seemed to be the perfect focal point for a concert with the Port Townsend Symphony Orchestra. The music of Franz Schubert also represents a voyage — sometimes turbulent, other times through peaceful waters — but an adventure in its own way. (Photo taken from the air by Hsing-Hui Hsu.)
BIOGRAPHY. Hsing-Hui Hsu is the music director and co-founder of the Emerald City Chamber Orchestra, a Seattle-based ensemble specializing in string repertoire. She has been a guest assistant conductor with the Seattle Symphony, and has also guest conducted the Seattle Collaborative Orchestra, Saratoga Orchestra, Seattle Festival Orchestra, and Puget Sound Symphony Orchestra. She was a founding member of the Amazon Symphony Orchestra and served as Music Director, collaborating with other arts organizations in the Seattle area as well as charitable organizations such as Mary’s Place. Hsing-Hui is currently in her second season as assistant conductor of Harmonia Orchestra and Chorus.
In addition to conducting, Hsing-Hui is an active clarinetist. Last season, she served as acting principal clarinetist with the Yakima Symphony Orchestra, where she also serves as bass clarinetist. She has played with the Pacific Northwest Opera, Sustain Music Project, Tacoma Opera, Seattle Philharmonic, Philharmonia Northwest, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber Orchestra, and Puget Sound Symphony Orchestra. She received her Bachelors of Music in clarinet performance from Rice University, where she also served as Music Director of the Rice Light Opera Society.
Soprano Cassandra Willock is praised for her charm and versatility. Cassandra sings a diverse repertoire – equally comfortable on opera stages, concert halls, and in ensembles. She joined Olympia Opera Theatre as Laeticia in The Old Maid and the Thief, she also sang Noémie in Vashon Opera’s Cendrillon. Cassandra has done two tours with Northwest Opera in Schools Etc. (NOISE), where she had the joy of engaging with the future generations of music-lovers. Her roles with NOISE include the Mother in Hansel and Gretel and Pamina/2nd Lady in their outreach production of The Magic Flute.
Cassandra regularly performs in concert and ensemble programs. Notable solo concert repertoire from this past season include JS Bach’s Cantata 51 and Handel’s Israel in Egypt. In June she performed as the soprano soloist in Einhorn’s Voices of Light. She has sung with Emerald City Chamber Orchestra and in 2024 she joined Evergreen Ensemble, through which she has had the pleasure of performing with the Seattle Bach Festival. She is a staff soprano and featured soloist with Harmonia.
Cassandra received a Master’s of Music from McGill University, where she studied with Dominique Labelle. Her Bachelor’s of Music is from Pacific Lutheran University, where she studied with Cyndia Sieden.
Fun fact: “I love baking, and as I write this I am baking a blackberry pie from freshly picked berries. Gotta take advantage of the PNW summer foraging!”
Symphony concerts are Sunday afternoons at 2 pm at the Chimacum School Auditorium, 91 West Valley Road, Chimacum. Open dress rehearsals are held at 7 pm on the Friday evening before each Sunday afternoon concert. No tickets or reservations are required. 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.
Port Townsend Chamber Music Series
Thank you to Michael Carroll, piano; Joel Wallgren, clarinet; Pamela Roberts and Bennett Clark, cello; Tamara Rotz, flute; and Sung-Ling Hsu, viola for another outstanding Port Townsend Chamber Music Series concert! (Photo by Josie Morales)
Our next chamber concert is on
February 6, 2027 at San Juan Baptist Church in Port Townsend.
PROGRAM
P. Schoenfeld Cafe Music
Piazzolla Grand Tango for Cello and PIano
Stephanie Neumann short pieces for Saxophone
And more…
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 each concert.
Details here!
Mark your calendars for our spring chamber music
concert on May 8 at 2 pm at the Port Ludlow Beach Club.
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
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