Join us for the culminating event of the 9th Annual Cascade Conductors and Composers Workshop at the University of Puget Sound.

Led by Sarah Ioannides, the final orchestral concert features outstanding emerging conductors from around the world leading the Cascade Conducting Orchestra in a dynamic program of Stravinsky, Debussy, Farrenc, Strauss, Tchaikovsky, Granados, and Reinecke, and featuring soloist Mary Jensen. Performed by an orchestra led by Symphony Tacoma principal musicians, the concert celebrates a week of intensive collaboration, artistry, and mentorship at one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier conducting workshops.

Cascade Conducting

With the motto of "Excellence through Equity," Cascade Conducting is dedicated to bringing world- class musical education to talented and diverse musicians from the US and around the world. Conceived by Paula Madrigal, Sarah Ioannides, and Teo Benson in 2017, Cascade Conducting is officially a program of Orquesta Northwest, a 501(c)3 non-profit.

Since 2018, Cascade Conducting has given out 30 full tuition scholarships equaling more than $70,000 to exceptional young conducting and composing students, with a focus on engaging talented BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) musicians who may not have access to traditional avenues or opportunities.

Gaining truly international status, the Orchestral Masterclass has welcomed conductor's from England, Australia, Iran, China, Argentina, Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica, Israel, and Ecuador.

A unique pedagogical philosophy has formed the mission of Cascade Conducting, which seeks to provide a unique map for navigating the world of music and conducting, and to find balance between the demands of the business, and the preservation of one’s individual musicianship as a necessity to achieve excellence.

In 2020, in a partnership with Symphony Tacoma, Cascade Conducting teamed up with Symphony Tacoma composer in residence, and now Dean of the School of Music at Julliard, David Serkin Ludwig, to create the first Cascade Composers Workshop with David Ludwig, and culminated in the performance of "The Final Conquest" presented by Symphony Tacoma. Now in it's 4th full year, the Cascade Composers Workshop has welcomed composers from around the US and the World including composers from Venezuela, Hong Kong, Beijing, and Israel.

In 2022, Cascade Conducting added a Choral Conducting Masterclass, led by Director of Choral Activities, and Music Director of Symphony Tacoma Voices, Dr. Geoffrey Boers. This year's Choral Conducting Masterclass is comprised of 13 talented and emerging choral conductors from all across the US and Canada.

The Orchestral Masterclass with Sarah Ioannides, Third Annual Choral Masterclass with Geoffrey Boers, and fourth Annual Cascade Composers Workshop will run from June 15th- June 21st, 2026, giving participants from each class the opportunity to learn from all of the faculty and disciplines at the Eighth Annual Cascade Conducting Masterclass with Sarah Ioannides.

Experience an inspiring evening of choral and orchestral music during the final concert of the 2026 Cascade Choral Conducting Masterclass with Geoffrey Boers. Held in the warm acoustics of Schneebeck Concert Hall at the University of Puget Sound, the performance features talented emerging choral conductors leading Symphony Tacoma Voices and the Cascade Conducting Chamber Orchestra in a program exploring artistry, collaboration, and expressive communication through music. Join us for a vibrant evening celebrating the next generation of choral artistry alongside professional musicians and singers from across the Pacific Northwest.

This concert will also be live streamed. Go to the website link below.

Join us in beautiful Schneebeck Concert Hall at the University of Puget Sound for the orchestral reading session of the 9th Annual Cascade Composers Workshop with David Serkin Ludwig. Experience an exciting afternoon of discovery and collaboration as emerging composers from around the world hear their brand-new works brought to life by the Cascade Composers Sinfonietta and conductors from the Cascade Conducting Masterclass. Featuring world premiere performances written exclusively for this event, the reading offers audiences a rare glimpse into the creative process as composers, conductors, and professional musicians shape new music in real time.

This concert will also be live streamed. Go to the website link below.

Join Orquesta Northwest and Ballard Civic Orchestra to Celebrate YOU! Tickets are always free, donations excepted through Give Butter - link up closer to concert

You will not want to miss Rainier Chorale’s 2026 Masterworks Concert! Featuring the world premier of From the Dark by Daniel Elder, Schubert’s Mass in G, and Illuminare by Elaine Hagenberg

You will not want to miss Rainier Chorale’s 2026 Masterworks Concert! Featuring the world premier of From the Dark by Daniel Elder, Schubert’s Mass in G, and Illuminare by Elaine Hagenberg

Following in the footsteps of his French forefather Gabriel Fauré, Maurice Duruflé composed a Requiem of immense warmth and comfort, rather than a reminder of the day of wrath. We perform this iconic work inspired by, and elaborating on, Gregorian chant in its chamber orchestration, joined on the program by Caroline Shaw’s refugee cantata, To the Hands. Her work is in turn inspired by, and elaborates on, Dietrich Buxtehude’s cantata of the same name, Ad manus. Two works, at once modern and ancient, that remind us of the importance of comforting and welcoming one another in times of need and strife.

Following in the footsteps of his French forefather Gabriel Fauré, Maurice Duruflé composed a Requiem of immense warmth and comfort, rather than a reminder of the day of wrath. We perform this iconic work inspired by, and elaborating on, Gregorian chant in its chamber orchestration, joined on the program by Caroline Shaw’s refugee cantata, To the Hands. Her work is in turn inspired by, and elaborates on, Dietrich Buxtehude’s cantata of the same name, Ad manus. Two works, at once modern and ancient, that remind us of the importance of comforting and welcoming one another in times of need and strife.

Join us for our 6th Annual Death and Dying Conference for those caring for the living, the dying, and the dead. This will be a day full of thoughtful, important conversations that help expand the ways we can provide care.

Date: Saturday March 7th 2026

Time 11:00 am - 5:30 pm Conference

10am - 11am Social Time and Resource and Art perusing - Cello Solo Music

Topics:

11 - 11:30 Welcome

Update on A Sacred Passing and A Place to Die Importance of supporting the things that operate outside of the systems Introduction of the Washington State Deathcare Coalition A community rooted state wide coalition to support deathcare education, advocacy and policy. This coalition will be strongest when it is made of members from all sides of care.

11:30 - 12:30 Caring for Complicated Clients

Gain skills on learning how to close care relationships with people are are causing harm. Ending a care relationship can be difficult and Dr. G has experience and a skills offerings for attendees to glean from.

12:30 - 1:30 Panel: Education over Certification: The Ethics of Death Doula Certification

Health care is vanishing as are ways to meet many complicated care needs. Care has a long history of inaccessibility. As deathcare is monetized and capitalized upon, certifications are being created. A panel will discuss the possible outcomes of death doula certification.

1:30 - 2:30 Lunch Break - look at the groups tabling and vending - Solo Cello Music

2:30 - 3:30 Shaping the Outcome: Bias in Charting

Medical charts are one side of the story and only from the perspective of medical providers. The power to shape outcomes lies between the words, commas, summaries and interpretations of the person entering the notes. Together we will review chart notes for bias, racism, and misinformation. Words matter so much and we need to learn how to counter this bias for the people we are caring for.

3:00 - 4:00 VSED: It’s Not Always Plain and Simple

Listen to very different VSED stories and how advocacy made choice possible.

4:00 - 5:00 Centering Community Care in our movement work

There are so many roles for us to take up, in rebuilding our future. A future that we want to be in, thrive in, grow in and well... simply, exist in.

5:00 - 5:30 Closing

This is an in-person event. Recordings will be shared at a later date. We are limiting in-person attendance and littles are welcome to join this year because of the space we have.

** If we get necessary sponsorship, we will have a hybrid conference.

View our website www.asacredpassing.org for updates and past conference information

Celebrating Women across the globe! Tickets are free, donations excepted through Give Butter. Link will be up closer to event date to reserve free tickets.

⭐ Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Seattle. Get your tickets now to discover the music of 90s Hip-Hop on Strings at Sparkman Cellars under the gentle glow of candlelight.

General Info 📍 Venue: Sparkman Cellars ⏳ Duration: 60 minutes. Doors open 45 minutes before the show. No entry once it starts. 👤 Age requirement: 8 years old or older. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult ♿ Accessibility: this venue is ADA compliant 🪑 Seating is assigned on a first come first served basis in each zone

Tentative Program

Fugees and Lauryn Hill Medley (Ready or Not, Doo-Wop, Fu-Gee-La, and Killing Me Softly) Jay-Z Medley (Can I Get A…, Big Pimpin, Money Ain't a Thing, and More) Nas Medley (It Ain't Hard to Tell, N.Y. State of Mind, The World Is Yours, and More) Outkast Medley (Rosa Parks, Elevators (Me & You), SpottieOttieDopaliscious, and More) Missy 'Misdemeanor' Elliott Medley (The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly), Sock It to Me, and More) A Tribe Called Quest Medley (Can I Kick It, Check the Rhime, Scenario, and More) Wu Tang Clan Medley (C.R.E.A.M. (Cash Rules Everything Around Me), Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing Ta F' Wit, Protect Ya Neck, and More) 2Pac Medley (Dear Mama, California Love, and more) The Notorious B.I.G. Medley (Juicy, Big Poppa, Hypnotize, and More) Dr. Dre Medley (Still D.R.E., Forgot About Dre, Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang, and More) Gin and Juice - Snoop Dogg

Performers

String Quartet - Range Ensemble - Seattle

⭐ Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Seattle. Get your tickets now to discover the music of 90s Hip-Hop on Strings at Sparkman Cellars under the gentle glow of candlelight.

General Info 📍 Venue: Sparkman Cellars ⏳ Duration: 60 minutes. Doors open 45 minutes before the show. No entry once it starts. 👤 Age requirement: 8 years old or older. Anyone under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult ♿ Accessibility: this venue is ADA compliant 🪑 Seating is assigned on a first come first served basis in each zone

Tentative Program

Fugees and Lauryn Hill Medley (Ready or Not, Doo-Wop, Fu-Gee-La, and Killing Me Softly) Jay-Z Medley (Can I Get A…, Big Pimpin, Money Ain't a Thing, and More) Nas Medley (It Ain't Hard to Tell, N.Y. State of Mind, The World Is Yours, and More) Outkast Medley (Rosa Parks, Elevators (Me & You), SpottieOttieDopaliscious, and More) Missy 'Misdemeanor' Elliott Medley (The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly), Sock It to Me, and More) A Tribe Called Quest Medley (Can I Kick It, Check the Rhime, Scenario, and More) Wu Tang Clan Medley (C.R.E.A.M. (Cash Rules Everything Around Me), Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing Ta F' Wit, Protect Ya Neck, and More) 2Pac Medley (Dear Mama, California Love, and more) The Notorious B.I.G. Medley (Juicy, Big Poppa, Hypnotize, and More) Dr. Dre Medley (Still D.R.E., Forgot About Dre, Nuthin' but a 'G' Thang, and More) Gin and Juice - Snoop Dogg

Performers

String Quartet - Range Ensemble - Seattle

Christmas Eve Service w/String Quintet

Christmas Eve Service w/String Quintet

Celebrate the Holiday Season with Las Posadas! Ballard Civic Orchestra

You will not want to miss Rainier Chorale’s 2025 Holiday Concert!

Check back later this fall for details and to purchase tickets.

You will not want to miss Rainier Chorale’s 2025 Holiday Concert!

Check back later this fall for details and to purchase tickets.

Special thanks to 4 Culture, Kent Arts Commission, and ARTSWa for their generous support of these performances.

To celebrate the many ways trees inspire us to work together for the future, Northwest Sinfonietta will open the evening performing Viet Cuong’s “Next Week’s Trees.” This eight-minute cello and percussion piece is based on Mary Oliver’s poem, ‘Walking to Oak-Head Pond.’ Through their art, Oliver and Cuong invite us to reflect on trees as a powerful symbol of our shared belief in the promise of tomorrow.

I can see the light spilling like a shower of meteors into next week’s trees, and I plan to be there soon… - Mary Oliver, ‘Walking to Oak-Head Pond’

PROGRAM

7PM Land Acknowledgement | Kim Camara, Windz of Change Alliance

Northwest Sinfonietta “Next Week’s Trees” | Viet Cuong

Maria Scherer Wilson, Cello Jeffery Lund, Percussion

7:20PM Mike Carey, Urban Forestry Manager, City of Tacoma City of Tacoma Councilmembers Olgy Díaz and Kristina Walker Jaala Smith, Planting Director, Tacoma Tree Foundation Lowell Wyse, Executive Director, Tacoma Tree Foundation

8:15PM Toast to tomorrow’s trees at our post-event social

Registration begins at 6:30PM. Please plan to arrive by 6:45PM.

Celebrate those whom have passed at Orquesta Northwest's Dia de los Muertos celebration with performances by Ballard Civic Orchestra, dancers and more.

The Day of the Dead is a deeply rooted Mexican cultural tradition that honors the deceased and celebrates the lives of those who have passed away. The beliefs and practices related to the Day of the Dead have their roots in pre-Columbian indigenous cultures, such as the Aztecs, and have been mixed with Catholic influences after the arrival of the Spanish.

Some prominent elements of the celebration include: Ofrendas (Offerings): Families create decorative altars in their homes or in cemeteries to remember their departed loved ones. These altars are adorned with flowers (especially marigolds, known as "flower of the dead"), candles, photographs of the deceased, personal items, and food and drinks they used to enjoy.

Sugar Skulls and Pan de Muerto: Sugar skulls and pan de muerto, a special bread with skull or bone-shaped decorations, are made and placed on the altars and shared during family gatherings. Cemetery Visits: Families visit cemeteries to clean and decorate the graves of their loved ones, often spending the night there to remember and honor the departed. Parades and Artistic Representations: In some regions of Mexico, there are parades and theatrical performances involving skulls and skeletons, including the famous "La Catrina," created by artist José Guadalupe Posada. Music and Dance: Traditional music and dance also play a significant role in the festivities, with mariachis and other musical groups playing specific Day of the Dead songs. Catholicism and Indigenous Beliefs: The celebration combines Catholic elements, such as the observance of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, with indigenous beliefs and practices related to life and death.

The Day of the Dead is a celebration that varies in form and style throughout Mexico, with different regions and communities having their own traditions and specific approaches. It is a vibrant, symbolic, and meaningful holiday that celebrates the relationship between the living and the dead, remembering those who have passed in an atmosphere of respect and joy.

Wayne Horvitz, the iconic keyboardist celebrates his 70th birthday — and his long tenure as a prime mover in Seattle beyond-jazz innovation — with a live premiere of a new work with a large ensemble exploring chamber textures.

This is a Seattle premiere of Music for 10 Musicians with Abbey Blackwell (bass), Maria Scherer Wilson (cello), Greg Sinibaldi (bass clarinet), James Falzone (clarinet), Mike Gebhart (drums), Ray Larsen (trumpet), Rose Martin (vibraphone), Steve Vacchi (bassoon), Neil Welch (baritone Sax), and Horvitz (piano and electronics).

Following his ensemble piece, is a rare solo piano performance by Horvitz.

Recipient of the 2019 American Prize in Orchestral Composition, composer Wayne Horvitz performs extensively throughout Europe, Japan, and North America. In addition to creating work for his own ensembles, he has created new work for The Kitchen, BAM, Seattle Symphony, Berlin Jazz, Nocco, Vienna Radio Orchestra, Centrum, and ACT among others. He has received awards from, MAP, McKnight Foundation, the NEA, Meet the Composer, and The Shifting Foundation, among others.

“…a dazzling sonic playground full of some wild rides…stretches the art of sound collage into new frontiers.” National Public Radio

Wayne Horvitz photo by Daniel Sheehan