You can still participate! Click here to make a last-chance gift! Stay tuned for more info about WWU Give Day 2025 on April 24, 2025!
Western Symphony Orchestra

Thank you for showing your support for the Western Symphony Orchestra! In addition to funding from the WWU Music Department, the WSO is also largely dependent on individual giving to maintain its vibrant and important programming, including performances of major contemporary and historical works, daytime educational concerts, live-to-film productions like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, engagements with Indigenous composers and guest artists, and international concert tours. More than just a presence on the Western campus, the WSO also a major fixture in the musical constellation of the Bellingham community.


$10 WSO LUNCH SPECIAL

For Give Day 2024, we are focused primarily on engaging as many people as possible between 11AM and 1PM to win the "Lunchtime Crunchtime" challenge, which awards large bonuses to the two campaigns with the largest donor engagement (not dollars raised) during that window. Your gift of as little as $10 could help unlock over $3,500 in challenge funds from the WWU Foundation and College of Fine and Performing Arts!

Of course, larger gestures of support are always welcome, and donors who give $100 or more will receive a Western Symphony Orchestra mug!


ABOUT THE ORCHESTRA

Comprised of 70-80 of the finest student musicians from across the WWU campus, the Western Symphony Orchestra gives 5-6 performances each year, including traditional concerts, educational programs, operas, live-to-film productions, and an annual concerto competition concert featuring student soloists. Every four years, the WSO embarks on an international performance tour, most recently traveling to Spain in June of 2023.

Committed to advancing the discourse on orchestral music, the Western Symphony Orchestra has given world, American, and Pacific Northwest premieres of works by John Williams, William Bolcom, Kaija Saariaho, Mason Bates, Missy Mazzoli, and Roger Briggs. The WSO also frequently collaborates with faculty and guest artists, along with the Western Choirs and Opera Theatre.

The orchestra is also dedicated to performing works by underrepresented and Indigenous composers, and in recent years has given performances of major pieces by William Levi Dawson, Nathaniel Dett, Nkeiru Okoye, Florence Price, Silvestre Revueltas, William Grant Stilll, and Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate

Recent highlights include the unofficial US Premiere of John Williams' Prelude and Scherzo for Piano and Orchestra, featuring Grammy-winning pianist Gloria Cheng; the first live performance of the landmark Gil Evans/Miles Davis collaboration Sketches of Spain in the Pacific Northwest; conference appearances at the College Orchestra Directors Association and National Association for Music Education; a memorized, choreographed, and costumed production of Peter and the Wolf; and the second-ever performance of Bruce Ruddell’s The Healing Heart of the First People of This Land, commissioned by Upper Skagit elder Vi taqʷšəblu Hilbert.

Thank you so much for your support!

2
Match
Recent Grad Match Opportunity!
Thank you new Vikings! You've raised an additional $3,000 in support for current WWU students and programs!
$3,000 MATCHED
Completed
2
Match
The Number One Vikings Match!
Thank you, Vikings! You who made the first $1,000 in gifts earned an ADDITIONAL $1,000 through a generous match!
$1,000 MATCHED
Completed
$750
2,000th Donor Challenge!
Thank you! The 2,000th donor has unlocked an additional $750 for the designation of choice.
2,000 / 2,000 Donors
Completed
$5,000
Last Call!
Thank you! You've unlocked an additional $5,000 as a matching gift!
Completed
Leaderboard
Lunchtime Crunchtime
Thanks, Vikings! You've unlocked an additional $5,000 in support for students on your lunch break.
Rank Prize Lunchtime Crunchtime Challenge Donors
1 $2,500 Cross Country & Track and Field 90
2 $2,500 Western Symphony Orchestra 57
3 Varsity Volleyball 49
4 Men's Rowing 28
5 Ice Hockey 15
Ended
2
Match
Early Bird Challenge!
Thank you! Your generosity has unlocked an additional $5,000 match before most people even got up for the day!
Completed
$750
3,000th Donor Challenge!
Thank you, Viking supporters! We haven't hit 3,000 yet, but we're still tallying all the offline gifts we've received and will update the numbers ASAP!
Completed
$2,000
Night Owl Challenge
Thank you! Your gifts helped raise an additional $2,000 for the Western Welcome Scholarship!
2,615 / 2,615 Gifts
Completed
Leaderboard
College of Fine and Performing Arts Donor Challenge!
The department, project or program in CFPA that receives the highest number of unique donors will receive an extra $1,000! Final results available after we process all Give Day gifts. Inflating donor count using fake donor names may disqualify a project, department, or program.
Rank Prize CFPA Donor Challenge! Donors
1 $1,000 Western Symphony Orchestra 74
2 WWU Music Department 30
3 Theatre Arts 17
4 Dance 9
5 Music Department Scholarships 7
Ended
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