PORTLAND, OR — August 28, 2025—Orchestra Nova Northwest (ONN) launches its
highly anticipated 2025–26 season with LINEAGE: Sound & Fury on September 27 and 28.
The concert, the first in ONN’s Throughlines: Composers in Conversation Across Time
season, pairs classical masterworks with contemporary compositions offering a powerful
dialogue between the classical canon and the living voices of contemporary creators.

Conducted by Steven Byess, the program features Joseph Haydn’s Symphony No. 60, Il
Distratto, Pulitzer Prize-winning Portland composer Caroline Shaw’s Entr’acte, and Anna
Clyne’s theatrical Sound and Fury. These works explore wit, drama, and transformation,
bridging past and present in a vibrant, imaginative musical experience.

“Haydn’s Il Distratto provides the spark for this centuries-spanning conversation,” says
ONN Music Director Steven Byess. “Caroline Shaw’s Entr’acte reflects the elegance and
wit of his quartets with inventive twists, while Anna Clyne’s Sound and Fury channels the
drama and theatricality of his Symphony No. 60 in a bold, contemporary voice. Together,
these works engage in a vibrant conversation between past and present.”

ONN continues to make concerts accessible by performing on both Portland’s west and
east sides, with shows in Beaverton and East Multnomah County. The season
underscores ONN’s visionary approach to classical music — reimagining concert
curation, exploring how music resonates today, and celebrating the evolution of tradition.

 

A Special LINEAGE Open Rehearsal Event!
As a special opportunity for audiences eager to dive deeper into the first concert of the
season, ONN is offering a one-time open dress rehearsal event called Listen & Learn on
Wednesday, September 24 at 6:00 PM at First United Methodist Church. The evening
begins with a 45-minute interactive talk by Dr. Mark Burford, Music Department Chair at
Reed College, followed by the orchestra’s rehearsal with live commentary from Byess.
With only 20 seats available, this behind-the-scenes experience provides a rare look at
how the concert comes together. Tickets are $15 for subscribers, $20 for single ticket
buyers, and concert tickets are not required. Tickets can be purchased at novanw.org.

“Listen & Learn is our way of welcoming audiences into the room where it happens,” says
Byess. “You’re not just hearing the music—you’re part of the conversation behind it. We
hope you’ll join us for this special behind-the-scenes experience and then attend
LINEAGE: Sound & Fury to hear this incredible music in full.”

To purchase tickets for the Listen & Learn event, and LINEAGE: Sound & Fury at Mt. Hood
Community College (Gresham), visit novanw.org/tickets or call 503-234-4077. Tickets for
the Beaverton performance at The Reser are available through The Reser Box Office at
971-501-7722 or Boxoffice@theReser.org.

Program
● CAROLINE SHAW — Entr’acte {a minuet & trio}
● JOSEPH HAYDN — Symphony No. 60, Il Distratto
● ANNA CLYNE — Sound and Fury

Performance Details
● Listen & Learn (Open Dress Rehearsal) |Wednesday, September 24, 2025, 6:00
pm | First United Methodist Church Portland
● LINEAGE: Sound & Fury | Saturday, September 27, 2025, 7:30 p.m. | Mt. Hood
Community College, Gresham
● LINEAGE: Sound & Fury | Sunday, September 28, 2025, 3:00 p.m. | The Reser,
Beaverton

Subscribe Today
Season subscriptions are now available. For more information, visit novanw.org or call
503-234-4077 to subscribe.

Tickets
● Saturday, September 27 (Mt. Hood) — available through ONN:
novanw.org/tickets
● Sunday, September 28 (The Reser) — Reser Box Office: 971-501-7722 |
Boxoffice@theReser.org

Note to Journalists: Executive Director Adam Eccleston, Steven Byess is available for
print, online, and broadcast interviews. If you would like more information on our
season or would like to schedule an interview, please contact Liz Bacon Brownson at
media@novanw.org or by calling 971-212-8034.

About Steven Byess —Steven Byess is a dynamic and passionate conductor, hailed
by critics as “masterful and brilliant,” “creating the epitome of instrumental
elegance,” and capturing “the full spirit and vitality of the score perfectly.”
Recognized for his musical versatility, multi-faceted presence on the podium, and
passion for music education, he is devoted to promoting a life-long love and
enthusiasm for music and the arts. Read more here.

About Orchestra Nova Northwest (ONN) —Playing a critical role in the artistic
landscape of the Portland Metro area, ONN provides affordable and comfortable
concert environments for audiences of all kinds, while also providing competitive,
creative jobs and opportunities for the area’s leading freelance professionals, music
educators, and newly established conservatory-trained musicians. As the only
orchestra that performs regularly in East County, ONN continues to invest in
communities and areas in our region that have been historically under-represented
and complements its concert programming with multiple educational and outreach
initiatives aimed at enlarging the audience for symphonic music in our region. Read
more here.