Coos News

The Oregon Coast Music Festival has kicked off its summer concert series on Saturday, July 12th at Mingus Park. Since 1978, Coos Bay, Oregon, has hosted the Oregon Coast Music Festival, which has grown into a two-week event that centers around three orchestra concerts with smaller acts filling out the calendar. Continuously running for 47 straight years, the orchestra will be under the direction of a new music director this season after the retirement of James Paul following last year. In a small coastal community whose economy relies on tourism, this event brings a lot of people to the Southern Oregon Coast. It is also a chance to promote the arts, which do not always get much exposure in rural communities. 

“The Community Band really sets the tone for the whole festival,” said longtime attendee Julie Hernandez. A free concert set in a beautiful city park is a phenomenal reminder that music doesn’t just come from big cities. It’s made locally, by those who call Coos County their home. Music educational opportunities and a wide variety of concerts provide residents plenty of opportunities to explore their musical interests in Mid-July. The crown jewels of the festival are three orchestral concerts held at the Marshfield High School Auditorium. The building began construction in May of 1939 and creates excellent acoustics for the exceptional musicians who travel to the coast for the summer concerts. Orchestra members hail from all over Oregon and include members from 10 other states who rehearse incredibly hard all week to give the people of the South Coast the best show possible.  

If you are a music lover or musically curious, consider exploring a new sound on the beautiful Oregon Coast between July 12th and July 26th. In a region where the arts often receive less exposure, the festival plays a vital role in supporting culture and creativity. It also gives a significant boost to local tourism, drawing hundreds of visitors to Coos Bay during the peak of the summer season. For a full schedule and ticket information, visit oregoncoastmusic.org.