October 27, 2025
Written by Margaret Bikman for WhatcomTalk
After Bellingham Symphony Orchestra’s astounding performance on October 5 of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony—which debuted its 90-voice BSO Chorus under the direction of Frederick B. Mabalot—it’s evident that Bellingham and Whatcom County (and beyond) have a treasure that becomes richer each year.
“The orchestra continues to reach new artistic heights, performing at a higher level than ever before, while our programming has grown increasingly bold and adventurous,” says Yaniv Attar, BSO music director for 12 years. “These two elements inspire and strengthen one another.”
Coming up on November 9 is an out-of-this-world adventure at Bellingham Symphony Orchestra. The star attraction? Gustav Holst’s The Planets, Op. 32.
The performance is accompanied by original animations and NASA media presented by guest visual artist Adrian Wyard, who’ll choreograph projected visuals on a screen above the orchestra.
“The visuals are performed live and reflect the moods, rhythms, and narratives in the score, beat by beat,” he says. “While many of the visuals are original animations, everything shown has some basis in fact and has as its source data from telescopes, orbiting spacecraft, or rovers on the planets’ surfaces.”
The BSO Chorus will sing the offstage treble choir part for the planet Neptune, directed by Dr. Frederick B. Mabalot, who believes music is far more than sound: “It’s a sacred vessel of storytelling, healing, and transformation.”
Felicia Youngblood wrote the concert’s program notes and will give the pre-concert talk. What makes this piece special for her are the ways people have interpreted and used Holst’s work. “From film to protest music,” she says, “it’s resonated with many and served a variety of purposes over time.”
Youngblood also hosts the November Salon BRAVISSIMO!, a new BSO program this year. These events are targeted to people aged 21 to 39, held at downtown’s Amendment 21 in the Hotel Leo.
Additionally, the November concert program includes Ponce Cuéllar’s Concierto del Sur, featuring guest soloist Daniel Bolshoy on guitar, and James Horner’s Apollo 13 Suite.
Although the November 9th concert is sold out, a ticketed dress rehearsal has been added. “The Planets” is also this year’s BSO educational concert, part of Mount Baker Theatre’s Wade King Bennet Educational Series. This concert has proved so popular, a second performance was added and now more than 3,000 kids will get to experience the work.
Grown-ups can learn along with their kids about the orchestra and the concert program with a study guide.
And as happens every year before the educational concert, the popular Instrument Petting Zoo with Wind Works will take place at the Mount Baker Theatre.
The outreach to younger BSO fans have been revamped and expanded over the years to better meet the needs of families, students, and schools based on their input, Ridenhour explains.
This was evident in the number of children who attended the October concert.
From their school programs—Soloists in the Schools and Trailblazers, plus Play It Forward (in collaboration with the Bellingham Festival of Music) to youth programs at Mount Baker Theatre associated with their concerts and the BSO Youth Chamber Players, more than 7,500 students experience the joy of music. In addition, several orchestra soloists give masterclasses at Western Washington University each year.
One of Ridenhour’s favorite things is watching the orchestra’s audience grow through Classical Kids.
“It’s so much fun to be at our dress rehearsals with families with babies and little kids dancing in the audience,” she says.
The free event for families allows kids to meet an instrument, have a storytime that pairs a book with the music, movement and art, plus snacks and a live performance by the orchestra.
Village Books and Paper Dreams sets up a table at most BSO concerts, offering an array of books and accoutrements that pertain to the concerts and composers.
Co-Owner Kelly Evert plays in the Skagit Symphony and helps head up the BSO Book Club, where members talk about books, authors, music and composers related to each concert. Her thoughts on The Planets?
“It gives me chills every time I hear it,” she says. “Holst wrote such an innovative score with each planet having its own separate character, from the ethereal chorus in Neptune to the power of Jupiter.”
Yaniv Attar shares his similar reaction: “Each movement feels like stepping into a completely different world,” he says. “It’s one of those pieces that grabs you right away. Even after conducting it, I still get chills hearing those sounds come to life.”
Evert says that as part of the community, Village Books and Paper Dreams enthusiastically support the arts.
“A strong community is diverse, and that includes our music, arts, and written word. We need to support the people who have the talent and the drive to keep these arts alive.”
Again, Attar and Evert are on the same wavelength: “What I’ve learned over the years is that the greatest artistic achievements don’t happen in isolation,” he says, “they happen when an entire community comes together.”
