RICHLAND, Wash. – The Mid-Columbia Symphony is set to begin its 81st season with a Halloween-themed concert, “Spooky Revelry,” this weekend.
Originating during World War II, the symphony has grown from a community orchestra into a professional ensemble.
Interim Director Adrienne Fletcher noted the historical roots of the symphony, stating, “They loved music. So they got together and created this ensemble. And it has since grown into a professional orchestra from back in the day when it was just a community orchestra.”
This year’s opening concert promises a unique experience as it combines the symphony orchestra with an interactive murder mystery, inviting the audience to participate in solving the mystery.
Fletcher, stepping into her role for the first time, is focused on engaging the community and addressing financial challenges. She explained the need for financial diversification, saying, “We have been around for a very long time, one of our very large, one long-time donors is no longer to give it the capacity that they’ve been so grateful to that person for all that they’ve done for us over the years. But it really showed to us how we need to diversify our revenue streams.”
Looking ahead, Fletcher is optimistic about the season and hopes to strengthen the symphony’s financial standing while continuing to provide entertainment to the Tri-Cities. She emphasized the importance of live performances, sharing, “Something that’s really special about live performances in particular is the emotional connection that it provides us. The kind of community building that we don’t get in a world of screens. Experiencing something live together all at one time and each all of us individually processing that and having a personal connection to it, but collectively all together.”
The Mid-Columbia Symphony’s commitment to the community is evident as they strive to deliver engaging performances for years to come.
