The mission of the Grande Ronde Symphony Association is to support and promote the Grande Ronde Symphony Orchestra and provide opportunities for music education and performance within our region.
Meet the passionate minds behind the Grande Ronde Symphony Orchestra. Our Board of Directors works tirelessly to ensure the orchestra’s success and bring the joy of music to our community. Comprised of dedicated individuals who share a love for the arts, our board members bring their expertise and vision to guide the symphony towards new heights. With their collective wisdom and unwavering commitment, the Grande Ronde Symphony Orchestra continues to thrive and enchant audiences with their breathtaking performances. Join us and witness the harmonious collaboration between our talented musicians and visionary leaders.
Alice Trindle
Board President, GRSO Musician
Alice Trindle is a life-long east Oregonian. Her family has been ranchers in Baker valley for several generations, instilling a deep regard for the arts and heritage. She has been involved with developing the region's and state's tourism industry during her 35+ year career. Alice has played in the Grande Ronde Symphony for over 25 years and has been a member of the Board of Directors beginning in 2015.
Heather Null
Board Treasurer
Heather was born and raised in La Grande. With her husband, Glenn, she manages an attorney practice, volunteers extensively in the community, and has two children away at college.
Priscilla “Cilla” Coe
Board Vice President, Musician
Priscilla (Cilla) Coe is a pianist from La Grande, Oregon. She studied music and piano at Eastern Oregon University, under the tutelage of Joanne Price and she also studied with Heather Price. A frequent accompanist, she has accompanied and performed in The Messiah, and she has performed in GRSO Chamber Concerts, including with soloists and several piano trios. Cilla enjoys playing in small ensembles and she also plays Appalachian dulcimer with the Upside String Band from La Grande.
Janice Cowan
Board Member, GRSO Musician
Janice Cowan has been playing the flute with the Grande Ronde Symphony since 2016. She studied flute and organ at the University of Oregon. A career with the OSU Extension Service interrupted her music playing, but upon retirement she has made up for lost time. She is the part time organist for the First Lutheran Church of Baker City, plays flute in the Inland NW Musicians Orchestra of Hermiston, the Grande Ronde Community Band of La Grande and the Grande Ronde Symphony Orchestra.
Lisa Davis
Board Assistant Treasurer
Earl Davis
Board Member, GRSO Musician
Earl Davis is a local musician who has playing the Double Bass for over 50 years. He studied music at EOU and began performing with the Grande Ronde Symphony from 1970 to 1977 starting while he was still in high school. After retiring he returned to La Grande and the GRSO in 2015 and has been the principal bassist ever since. While living in the Seattle area he performed with a number of local orchestras including the Northwest Symphony Orchestra and the Ensign Symphony and Chorus. In addition to the GRSO he plays with numerous local groups in a variety of different genres. He is a freelance musician and songwriter performing in Eastern Oregon and Washington. Earl works as a part-time music instructor for the Fiddle Club with the La Grande School District.
Edie Engelmann
Board Member, GRSO Musician
Edie was raised in Eastern Washington and has lived in La Grande since June of 2021. They work with the City of La Grande as the Assistant Public Works Director and play trumpet in both the Eastern Oregon Community Band and Grande Ronde Symphony Orchestra. In their free time, Edie loves to play video games, get outside on foot and bike, and spend time with their wonderful wife.
Gracie King
Board Member, Musician
Gracie King has played the clarinet for almost twenty years, four of which have been with the Grand Ronde Symphony Orchestra. Gracie studied Music and Historic Preservation at the University of Mary Washington in Virginia, where she played in the University of Mary Washington Philharmonic Orchestra, UMW Concert Band, UMW Quintet, and a small ensemble featuring student compositions. She now lives in her hometown of Baker City with her husband and their two cats.
Carl Riehs
Board Member, GRSO Musician
Carl Riehs began playing with the Grande Ronde Symphony Orchestra after moving to La Grande in 2023. He began playing the viola in 1999 while in second grade, and played in the Symphonic Orchestra at York Community High School in Elmhurst, Illinois until graduating in 2010. Carl and his partner, Dr. Olivia Kuljian moved to La Grande in the summer of 2023 with their cat, Rumpy who does not play any instruments.
Travis Rhyne
Board Member, GRSO Musician
Anna Cavinato
Board Member, Musician
Anna is a professor emeritus at Eastern Oregon University, where she taught chemistry for more than 30 years. Born and raised in Italy, she came to the United States to further her studies and spent many years encouraging women and underrepresented minorities to pursue careers in science. She learned to play string instruments as an adult and is committed to promoting and supporting community music activities and strengthening youth music programs.
Sarah Fischer
Board Member
Eric Brown
Board Member, Musician
Eric grew up in La Grande and has returned after 30 years as a Financial Advisor in Portland and San Diego. He continues decades of volunteering to help communities thrive.
Nathan Lowe
Ex-Officio
Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at Eastern Oregon University.
Nate and his family spend time in the mountains skiing, mountain biking and hiking, inspired by the big, remote places around La Grande. They are inspired by local and regional artisans and musicians like the ones who perform and support the symphony. Nate is proud to be a collaborator with and supporter of the Grande Ronde Symphony.
Sam Ross
Ex-Officio, GRSO Music Director
Sam Ross graduated with a Master's of Music in Conducting in 2024 from the Graduate Conducting Program at Bard Conservatory in New York studying under James Bagwell, and a Bachelor's Degree in viola performance in 2022 from the University of Oregon. Mr. Ross was a teaching artist with the Eugene Symphony during the 2024-25 season, working with the Douglas County Youth Orchestras in Roseburg OR. He has also performed with numerous orchestras as a professional violist with the Bard Conservatory Orchestra, the Eugene Symphony, Oregon Mozart Players, Vancouver Symphony (WA), the Newport Symphony and the Orchestra Next.
Known as a champion of contemporary music and music by underrepresented composers, Mr. Ross will bring an exciting perspective to the 78th season of the orchestra. He relays, “I’m so honored and excited to get started as Music Director of the Grande Ronde Symphony! It’s a big responsibility taking the helm of an orchestra with such a long and rich history of musical excellence, but I’m ready to start this new chapter with you.”
Ross is currently splitting his time between Portland with the Tilikum Chamber Orchestra, Pendleton with the Oregon East Symphony Youth Orchestra and La Grande.
We believe that the arts, and particularly music, can transform a place.
The Grande Ronde Symphony Association, Board of Directors
is made up of a dedicated group of volunteers who are responsible for fundraising that ultimately administrates and oversees the operation of the following programs:
- Keeping the Grande Ronde Symphony Orchestra under the music direction of a professional conductor
- Collaborations that provide programs for youth, such as Fiddle Club, Grande Ronde Junior Symphony, the Concerto + Aria Competition, Scholarships and Lesson Reimbursement
- Opportunities for regional musicians to perform and a diverse audience to hear the music of the Chamber Series
History
For nearly 70 years northeastern Oregon has benefitted from artistic performance and educational enrichment provided by the Grande Ronde Symphony Association and its major programs including the Grande Ronde Symphony Orchestra, the Grande Ronde Student Symphony, and the Chamber Concert series.
The Grande Ronde Symphony Orchestra is believed to be the oldest continuously operating community symphony orchestra west of the Mississippi. The orchestra began at Eastern Oregon College in 1946 with faculty and student musicians. The first meeting of the newly formed Grande Ronde Symphony association was held at Eastern Oregon College on December 5, 1951, followed quickly by the adoption of a constitution, bylaws and election of officers and board members. The organization has been ongoing ever since.
The orchestra presents an annual series of three concerts in Eastern Oregon University’s McKenzie Theater in Loso Hall and one concert in Baker City. The orchestra also performs at other events such as the annual Holiday Music Festival. Many of the musicians in the orchestra form smaller ensembles to perform chamber concerts in area homes, as well.
Annual Membership Report 2025-2026
The Grande Ronde Symphony Association held our Annual meeting on Tuesday, June 12, 2023. Meeting minutes are available by contacting us at: [email protected]
Grande Ronde Symphony Association Bylaws
Introducing the Grande Ronde Symphony Association Bylaws, the cornerstone of our organization. These bylaws embody our commitment to supporting and promoting the Grande Ronde Symphony Orchestra, as well as providing opportunities for music education and performance within our region.
2026-2027 Strategic Planning
The mission of the Grande Ronde Symphony Association is to support and promote the Grande Ronde Symphony Orchestra and provide opportunities for music education and performance within our region.