The Oregon Symphony is an American symphony orchestra based in Portland, Oregon. Founded in 1896 as the Portland Symphony Society, it was also known as the Portland Symphony Orchestra before adopting the Oregon Symphony name in 1967. It is widely recognised as the oldest orchestra in the western United States.
After early seasons as a co-operative ensemble, the orchestra developed into a permanent professional organisation following its 1947 reorganisation. Important music directors have included Jacques Singer, Lawrence Leighton Smith, James DePreist, Carlos Kalmar and David Danzmayr. Under DePreist, the orchestra became a full-time ensemble and moved to Portland’s Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in 1984.
The Oregon Symphony principally performs classical orchestral repertoire, while also presenting pops, film-music and contemporary programmes. Its recordings include "Bravura", "Music for a Time of War", "This England", "Spirit of the American Range", "Haydn Symphonies" and "Aspects of America". "Music for a Time of War" received two Grammy nominations, and the orchestra has received multiple Grammy nominations overall.
