About ESCO

The Eugene Springfield Community Orchestra (ESCO) was founded to…

  1. Give local musicians an opportunity to learn and perform orchestral music, helping them improve their skills while enriching their lives through music.

  2. Provide free concerts to audiences who might not otherwise have the opportunity to attend live performances of orchestral music.

Meet the Conductor

Tyler Boorman

Tyler Boorman received his bachelor and masters degrees in music education from the University of Oregon. He taught for nine years at Kennedy Middle School in Eugene and now works as a real estate agent for more flexibility. From 2015-2018, Tyler was a featured conductor at Northwest Band Camps at Rockaway Beach, OR. In 2023 he was a guest conductor with the Eugene Symphonic Band. He has acted as guest clinician for several local schools and currently serves as a supervisor for student teachers at the University of Oregon. He performs trumpet with the ESB and teaches privately. Tyler lives in Eugene with his wife, Christina, their son, Dean, and their dog, Freya.

History

The Eugene Springfield Community Orchestra is one of the longest-lived orchestras in Lane County. Since the early 1960s, it has given local amateur musicians an opportunity to learn and perform. The group rehearses weekly between September and May, and gives three performances per year.

In its long history, the orchestra has performed under the baton of a succession of talented and enthusiastic conductors including Don Loftus, William Tweedy, Ray Morse, Philip Bayles, Chet Peterson, Richard Long, Jonathan Bridges, and Tyler Boorman. Through the years, the orchestra has grown from a handful of players to its current size of 70.

The orchestra occasionally performs concertos with professional soloists including, most recently, violinist Yvonne Hsueh and the Delgani Quartet.

The Eugene Springfield Community Orchestra took two years off due to COVID-19 restrictions and resumed in the spring of 2022.

Board of Directors

  • Tyler Boorman, Conductor

  • Jon Bridges, Conductor Emeritus

  • Alex Zunterstein, Concertmaster

  • Beth Roy, Interim President

  • Gabriela Norton, Treasurer

  • B. J. Novitski, Secretary

  • Linda Ague, Librarian

  • Dennis Pipes, Webmaster

  • Ken Blanchard, Deb Heaton, Barry Jarvis, Eleanor Montagna, David Payton, Shirley Schaaf, Rena Segebartt, and Eric Selker

Acknowledgements

A special “thank you” to our generous supporters

Springfield High School: Jose da Silva, Principal; Jon Bridges, Band Director; Jim Hallwyler, Orchestra Director; Jill Plumb, Theater Director and auditorium manager; and Diane Little, Head Custodian

Donors: Anonymous, Alex Zunterstein, Allen Partridge, Barry Barreau Insurance Services, Christina Norris, Dr. & Mrs. Samuel S. Chetti, Family of Gay Blankenship, Gerald & Carol Prud’homme, Gordon Wright & Anne Moffett, Janice Stark & Sara Urdahl, John Garrett & Ruth Kaminski, Kara Schnoes, Leslie Herring, Michael Ponichtera, Papa’s Pizza Parlor, Patti & Warren Tenbrook, Richard Long, Rita Grimes, Robert & Deborah Heaton, Shalea Francisco, Shaun McCrea, Shirley Anderson, Victor Green, Yvonne Lyles, Fred W. Fields Fund of Oregon Community Foundation

Eugene Springfield Youth Orchestras

Web Production: Dennis Pipes, webmaster; Lauren Evitts, logo; Ken Blanchard, photography

Library: Linda Ague, Karen Fiedler, Diane Livermore, Judy Spearin, Alex Zunterstein

Concert Programs: Emma Anderson

Stage Manager: David Payton

Publicity: Karen Fiedler

Concert Greeter: Chip Kiger