About the Orchestra
Sunnyside Symphony Orchestra (SSO) is deeply committed to community, bringing high-quality performances and music education to everyone. Our musicians – all volunteers – come together from a wide variety of backgrounds to perform four concerts annually.
Founded in 2001, SSO was led for 21 seasons by Travis Hatton, a renowned conductor in the Pacific Northwest. Hatton passed suddenly in 2022, leaving the larger community stunned and creating a leadership void for several musical ensembles. SSO spent the next season hosting a series of guest conductors and ultimately appointing Jonathan Debruyn as the new music director.
Under DeBruyn’s leadership, the orchestra has flourished, welcoming new musicians and embracing ambitious repertoire. In recognition of a generous donor, DeBruyn now holds the title of Travis Hatton Music Director.
As part of our commitment to making music widely accessible, SSO offers our concerts free of charge. This is possible through the generosity of our audiences and the support of Sunnyside Seventh-day Adventist Church, with which we partner as resident orchestra and share a common vision for quality music and community outreach. Looking ahead, SSO plans to expand this reach by implementing educational outreach programs, aiming to inspire the next generation of musicians.
SSO is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax-deductible, and 100% of proceeds are used to offset the orchestra's expenses and support its growth. For more information on how you can support SSO, please click the GIVE menu above to view donation options and volunteer opportunities. If you are interested in joining SSO as a musician, the MORE menu above contains information about open positions and auditions.
Vision and Mission
The Sunnyside Symphony Orchestra is a community-based nonprofit ensemble in Portland, Oregon. We are committed to enhancing our community's cultural vibrancy and education by providing equitable access to high quality symphonic music as supported by financial partnership with other local organizations.
The mission of the Sunnyside Symphony Orchestra is to:
- Provide all members of our community access to inspiring, high-caliber symphonic performances free of charge.
- Enrich the culture and overall quality of life for our musicians and residents of the Portland Metro Area in sharing our "listenable art" with others.
- Educate all generations in the history, appreciation, evolution, and relevance of symphonic music.
Values
EXCELLENCE
We come prepared
We are organized
We excel in performance
ACCOUNTABILITY
We take a personal stake in our organization
We maintain high standards
We are responsible to each other
We respect and value our partners
TEAMWORK
We treat each other with respect
We build trust
We foster collaboration
We unite for the greater good
We have high expectations of ourselves
CREATIVITY
We embrace challenge
We nurture innovation
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
We collaborate with other organizations
We make our events accessible
We reach out to the community
CELEBRATION
We embody the joy of making music
We embrace a wide range of music
We identify individual successes