with Music Director, Dwayne Corbin
About Tilikum Chamber Orchestra
The TCO is an orchestra comprised of dedicated musicians that volunteer their time in order to present highly engaging and musically diverse concerts. Our designation as a “chamber orchestra” is defined in multiple ways:
1. From an artistic standpoint, we embrace the individual’s contribution to the ensemble, rather than having musical direction occur only from the top down; this is demonstrated by our use of empowered section leaders and our commitment to hold only 5 or 6 rehearsals per concert rotation, as each performer takes ownership over their own musical preparation.
2. From a musical standpoint, we embrace playing with a light touch and tone, fit for smaller spaces; when we play on a large stage, we retain this lighter sound so that all musicians can hear across the orchestra in order to connect with players on different instruments.
3. From a repertoire standpoint, we perform music for 10-40 musicians with a conductor, and also feature some smaller groups at times, performed with no conductor. To facilitate this, we maintain a flexible pool of players in order to supply the changing instrumentation of our concerts.
4. From an organizational standpoint, we entrust the leadership of our group to Board members who are also musicians from within the orchestra.
5. Almost all of the musicians in the TCO also participate in other traditional large orchestras, but we come together under this organization in order to perform music that we can’t do elsewhere. We seek to explore the lesser-known music of our genre in addition to popular favorites, and enjoy the unique demands that only chamber music can provide.
Interested in joining Tilikum Chamber Orchestra? Go to https://www.tilikumchamberorchestra.com/join-us/
Meet our Music Director: Dr. Dwayne Corbin
Dr. Dwayne Corbin has served as the Music Director of the TCO since 2019. He also serves as Associate Professor of Instrumental Music at George Fox University, where he conducts the Band & Orchestra and teaches applied percussion & drum kit. In the past, Corbin has served as Resident Conductor of the North State Symphony, Assistant Conductor of the Juneau Symphony, and Music Director of the Shasta Symphony Orchestra. He has also previously served in other academic positions, including at Simpson University, Wheaton College, Shasta College, and as a public school band and general music teacher in the Seattle and Chicago suburbs.
Corbin is also an accomplished classical percussionist and drum kit performer, and held the position of Principal Percussionist in the North State Symphony from 2007-2018. Dr. Corbin’s composition Cage for One won first place in the 2009 Percussive Arts Society composition contest and is published by C. F. Peters. Corbin earned a doctorate in conducting from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, holds a master’s degree in percussion performance from Central Washington University, and earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from Wheaton College Conservatory of Music. He resides in Newberg, OR with his wife Caryn and their two sons, Andrew and Peter.
Board of Directors
- President: Dan Crane
- Treasurer: Phyllis Louke
- Secretary: Dorianne Reinhardt Paul
- Librarian: Cathy Ross
- Nita Van Pelt
- Sean Haskell
- Rachel Thoroughman
- Sue McDowell
- Gary Zaganiacz