Cascadia Methow Music Association

Founded in 1986, Cascadia Music is now celebrating it's 40th year! Our programs focus on community music making, visiting artist performances/workshops and music education for adults, children and teens.                                        

Our Programs

• Cascadia Chorale - No audition community chorale (30-60 singers)
• Pipestone Adult Orchestra - No-audition community orchestra (40-50 musicians)
• Concerts and Artist-led Workshops / Master Classes: Cascadia presents 4-6 concerts each season, featuring our own ensembles as well as professional touring artists.
• Music Teacher Referral Service - Cascadia maintains a roster of vetted, professional music teachers with whom we also partner to provide scholarships for lessons for young musicians.
• Pipestone Youth Orchestra - a partnership with Pam Hunt Studios (20 young musicians)
• Pipestone Summer Camp - - a partnership with Pam Hunt Studio (serves up to 25 youth)
• Christine Cherrington Memorial scholarships- (1) for college-bound music students from the Methow Valley ($1000/ student) (2) Needs based Scholarships for a school year of music lessons for Elementary and High School aged children (12-15 students/year), and (3) annual merit competition with cash prizes ( 3 students/year) 
• Cascadia Instrument Library & Loan Program - User-friendly instruments are available for music students of all ages in the Methow. When a school aged student utilizes this program, the instrument is available to them for the entire duration of their school- years, through senior year of HS. Currently, 30 of these instruments are in use by MV students

THE FOCUS OF THIS FUNDRAISER: As venue rentals, artist and director fees, and production costs have risen over the past few years, we are specifically seeking funds to sustain our community ensembles and visiting-artist concerts which enrich our small rural community, and provide world class concerts to folks who otherwise would not have access to them.

Community Ensembles: For decades, our orchestra and chorale concerts have been among the area's most widely attended seasonal events. These events are the culmination of months of preparation and practice by all involved. Several of the musicians travel from Omak, Chelan, Tonasket and as far away as Wenatchee to take part. The opportunity is available to all regardless of experience, age, gender, and cultural identity. Participants in these ensembles range in age from 12 to 85 years old, providing a rare context in our modern world, where people of a wide range of experience and age can come together to create beautiful and accessible programs. With 40 people in the Chorale, and the youth and adult orchestras  numbering about 60 people combined, the ensembles represent about 10% of Twisp's population, while, the audiences that attend the concerts number between 250-500 people per show, representing half the town!

Anthropologists and psychologists suggest that ... people who make music together are more likely to cooperate and support one another(1).  Cascadia's ensembles build a stronger, more vital and peaceful community. 

Live Concerts: In 2025-26 due to restricted funding, Cascadia presented just four shows- two concerts with our ensembles and two additional well-attended concerts with nationally touring acts. As part of their engagement with us, the performers were also tasked to present workshops to the community, and those were also well attended. Reviews afterwards revealed participants felt "excited to try something new" and "to learn more about the technical aspects" of the artist's work and performances.

Myriad scientific studies now show that attending a live musical performance can have life changing impact. These shows infuse energy into our community, and expose listeners to styles and genres they may not otherwise have access to. These concert and workshop experiences spark something in people. A teenager who had never considered jazz walks into a workshop and walks out a different person. That kind of exposure is irreplaceable. Concerts in a small rural community like ours are not just events, they are central to maintaining and expanding our connections to each other and to the wider world of art and music.

"The “warm glow” of belonging is not imaginary; it is deeply rooted in brain chemistry. Live music triggers the release of oxytocin, often called the “bonding hormone,” which increases trust and connection, as well as dopamine, which fosters pleasure. Together, these neurochemical responses help explain why audiences often leave concerts feeling closer to one another. (1. https://www.garthnewel.org/connection-and-delight-how-live-music-enhances-well-being/)

In a world plagued by division and mistrust, Cascadia Music creates safe, welcoming spaces where individuals find their place in community, and where strangers become friends through the shared joys, power and universal language of music.