Members of the Oregon East Symphony Youth Orchestra participate in a rehearsal on Jan. 8, 2024, at Pendleton High School. (East Oregonian, File)

PENDLETON — The Oregon East Symphony was among the recipients to receive a $5,000 Arts Build Communities grant.

The Oregon Arts Commission announced Feb. 7 that it disbursed a total of $265,000 to 53 nonprofit organizations across the state. The grants are made possible through a funding partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.

According to a press release, the program is committed to promoting arts access for underserved audiences and targets broad geographic impact throughout the state. Arts Commission Chair Subashini Ganesan-Forbes said the grants help organizations address a local community problem, issue or need through the arts.

“All these critical art-centered projects are creative endeavors collectively conceived by local citizens that further strengthen relationships and enrich the rich tapestry of communities across Oregon,” Ganesan-Forbes said.

Local musicians and music lovers in 1986 created the Oregon East Symphony. In addition to a symphony orchestra and chorale, it operates a youth classical music program.

The 2023-24 season continues with Conductor Beau Benson leading “Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 4” on Sunday, March 10, 2:30 p.m. in the Vert Auditorium, 480 SW Dorion Ave., Pendleton. The program also features Stravinsky’s “Pulcinella Suite” and French-Creole composer Chevalier St. George’s “Overture to L’Amant Anonyme.”

For ticket information, visit www.oregoneastsymphony.org or call the OES office at 541-276-0320.

For more about the Oregon Arts Commission, contact Carrie Kikel at 503-480-5360, carrie.kikel@oregon.gov or visit www.oregonartscommission.org.