In 1976, a group of local instrumentalists came together to prepare a concert celebrating the country’s bicentennial. They called themselves the Whatcom County Bicentennial Orchestra, and Frank Nielsen directed its first public performance on March 16th, 1976.
Dream Big and Give Back
Fifty years later, Bellingham Symphony Orchestra’s best-kept secret for its Golden Season is that internationally acclaimed cellist Yo-Yo Ma will perform Elgar’s Cello Concerto with the BSO on April 26, 2026, as part of the symphony’s successful Harmony from Discord series.
“We’re thrilled to have Yo-Yo Ma join us,” Executive Director Gail Ridenour says of this momentous milestone. “We wanted to dream big and give back to our community, which has helped us bring amazing music to Whatcom County for so many years.”
The performance will mark the first time the internationally acclaimed cellist has played in Bellingham.
Half a Century of Change and Growth
The symphony has seen remarkable growth over the years. Its name changed in 1979 to Whatcom Symphony Orchestra while under the direction of Nicholas Bussard. In 1991, the symphony found its permanent home at the historic Mount Baker Theatre; two years later, Roger Briggs was named conductor.
In 2019, six years after current Music Director Yaniv Attar came on board, the nonprofit’s name was changed to Bellingham Symphony Orchestra.
Attar says the Golden Season will be the BSO’s most ambitious yet, both in terms of programming and the extraordinary soloists coming to town.
“Each year, I bring a draft of programs to our artistic committee,” he says. “Together, we refine them, making adjustments and tweaks until we have what feels like the perfect lineup. Then we discuss soloists, carefully considering the best fit for each piece.”
He’s especially excited about the opening concert. Not only because Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony is one of his all-time favorite works, but also because the symphony will be joined by a newly formed BSO Chorus, which is currently auditioning members. The BSO Chorus is under the direction of Dr. Frederick B. Mabalot, who is also the artistic director and conductor of the Bellingham Chamber Chorale.
Another exciting Golden Season concert is Gustav Holst’s The Planets. A rarely performed masterpiece that requires a massive orchestra, this special event will include unusual instruments like the bass oboe, as well as video projections of spectacular original animations and NASA media.
What else is in store for the BSO’s 2025/2026 season?
“As we celebrate 50 years of making music with our community,” Ridenour, “each concert and event has something special.”
In addition to Yo-Yo Ma, guest soloists include Simone Porter and Joshua Roman, plus a work by Grammy Award-winning Jessie Montgomery.
“This 50th anniversary season is a celebration of BSO’s musical journey,” says Attar, “and we want every person in Bellingham to be part of it. Whatcom County is going to have a season of extraordinary music, world-class artists, and unforgettable experiences.”
Other BSO Events, Youth Programs & Local Partnerships
The BSO does more than perform concerts at Mount Baker Theatre.
Chamber music concerts are performed at more intimate venues throughout the year. Many are educational projects, while others are concert experiences.
Concertmaster Dawn Posey leads BSO’s Trailblazers youth engagement program. Trailblazers tells the stories of female composers and historical figures who have paved the way for so many future women to flourish. This string quartet plays several times a year at area schools, the Jansen Art Center, and other events.
BSO’s Soloists in the Schools program brings featured soloists from around the country and the world to schools in Whatcom County. Kids get to meet them, hear their stories, and learn about the music and their specific instrument.
Over the course of a year, the symphony performs more than 50 in-school events, all of which are free.
Bellingham Symphony Orchestra violinist and graphic designer Audrey Negro says the BSO Educational Concerts are an important part of BSO’s mission and extension into the community. They are part of the Mount Baker Theatre Wade King Bennett Educational Series.
“It’s truly incredible that we can fill Mount Baker Theatre with kids of all ages and expose them to all kinds of music,” she says. “The introduction of music—classical or otherwise—to kids at an early age is something the BSO takes very seriously. The BSO’s vision for this is truly unique, both for the youth and for the players on stage.”
As part of BSO’s Classical Kids program, young ones are invited to attend free dress rehearsals the day before concert performances where kids get to meet an instrument and have storytime with the Bellingham Public Library.
“I think we all see the value of sharing the music making experience with the young audience,” Negro adds, “clapping, dancing, and moving in a way that’s authentic and not restrained.”
Part of each Educational Concert is the Instrument Petting Zoo, coordinated with Bellingham Wind Works.
“It’s an opportunity for kids (and their adults!) to discover and participate in music in ways they might not have access to in their everyday life,” says Kat DeVaney of Bellingham Wind Works. Participants learn about the strings and percussion family, the materials the instruments are made out of, how they make their sound, and the differences when materials or sizes change.
The symphony partners with a myriad of other local organizations, as well. The Pickford Film Center screens music-related films in conjunction with the BSO programs, and this August will shut down Bay Street for an evening of silent films backed by live orchestra musicians. Village Books offers music-related books and merchandise at BSO concerts and also holds a BSO Book Club, where readers can discuss books related to each concert’s theme.
“For our 50th season,” says Ridenour, “we wanted to lean into our collaborations and hope the whole community will join us in celebrating.”
To learn more about the symphony, please visit here.
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