The SARATOGA CHAMBER ORCHESTRA, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, was formed in 2007 as an expansion of the Saratoga Chamber Players founded by Whidbey Island’s legendary violinist and arts supporter, Michael Nutt. 

MISSION STATEMENT

The Saratoga Chamber Orchestra is a professional orchestra whose mission is to:

• Entertain, educate and enrich through music;

• Present a unique and varied musical repertoire and perform in a professional manner, with the highest standard of artistic integrity;

• Enhance the awareness and reputation of Whidbey Island as a cultural destination;

• Collaborate with other artistic disciplines to augment and enhance the concert experience;

• Foster and mentor exceptional local music students in study and performance.

• The Saratoga Chamber Orchestra will play a primary role in promoting orchestral music as an integral component of our community and culture.

CONDUCTOR

Legh W. Burns has been the music director and conductor of THE SARATOGA CHAMBER ORCHESTRA since its inception. He is Professor Emeritus of the University of Oklahoma School of Music and former first trumpet with the United States Air Force Band in Washington D.C. where he founded and conducted the Washington Chamber Ensemble. Additionally, Mr. Burns has taught at Springfield (IL) Junior College and the University of Denver, where he founded the National Trumpet Symposium and was founder and conductor of the Festival Chamber Orchestra of Denver.

Mr Burns is a graduate of The University of Miami (FL) earning a Master of Music degree in Trumpet Performance. He lists Pierre Monteux, Herbert Blomstedt, Richard Lert and Renee Longy as conductors and musicians with whom he has studied.

He is also very interested in the development of young musicians, having founded and conducted the Oklahoma Youth Orchestra and the Oklahoma Youth Symphonies and founding The Guy Fraser Harrison Academy for the Performing Arts. Youth orchestras under his direction have successfully undertaken performance tours in thirteen foreign countries, including a concert tour of The People's Republic of China in 1981. For this, he was awarded the Music in Education Award by the Governor of Oklahoma.

Mr. Burns and his wife Judith live in Langley, on Whidbey Island, Washington.

THE ENSEMBLE is comprised of musicians from all corners of Whidbey Island and individual members of the SCO have held or currently hold positions in the Seattle Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Diego Symphony, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Boulder (CO) Philharmonic, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Everett Symphony, Seattle Philharmonic as well as other regional and community orchestras and musical ensembles.  The unique multi-generational membership of the SCO, allows talented youth of the community to perform alongside adult members in a professional-educational setting.  

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mike Lauver, President
Legh W. Burns, Artistic Director
Dr. Julie Hadden
Neal Noorlag
Randy Pleasance

Larry Heidel, Executive Director
Betty Eisenbrey, Treasurer
Marly Eidsness, Orchestra Represenative

Orchestra Advisory Committee
Marly Eidsness

Chris Harshman

Larry Heidel
Roxallanne Medley
Paula Pugh
Charles Terpenning
Rae Terpenning
Patrice Weed Shearer

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Photo: Kim Tinuviel