Cascadia Composers

CURRENT, COOPERATIVE, KALEIDOSCOPIC MUSIC

A Pacific Northwest regional chapter of National Association of Composers, USA

Jennifer Wright photo by Matias Brecher

Cascadia Composers is a welcoming and far-reaching cooperative of living composers that promotes a kaleidoscopic cross-section of new musical art, reflecting and beautifying our modern world…

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Learn more

“the city’s most accomplished composers and most promising next-gen voices”

- Willamette Week

“showcasing and stimulating community creativity… terrific music being made right here and now”

- Oregon ArtsWatch

Upcoming events

Featured
May Composer’s Talk: Carbony Celtic Winds Introduction and Demonstration
May 12
May Composer’s Talk: Carbony Celtic Winds Introduction and Demonstration

Free and open to the public!

Social Time: ~7:15PM PST / Presentation begins: 7:30PM PST

Presenter: Rob Gandara

Title :Carbony Celtic Winds Introduction and Demonstration

We started Carbony Celtic Winds 20 years ago to introduce a line of musical instruments fabricated in carbon fiber. Both the material process and design approach will be discussed. I will also demonstrate several of the instruments.  Also covered will be the differences between just and equal-tempered intonation. 

Pipe Makers Union, LLC was founded in 2006 by Rob Gándara. Rob is president, chief technical officer, musician, and the driving force behind the Carbony™ invention

Bio: After working for 20 years in the computer and manufacturing industry, Rob redirected his engineering and music skills toward innovation in the musical instrument field. Rob’s background includes a Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering with a Certificate in Computer Integrated Manufacturing Systems from Georgia Tech, and a BS in Electrical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a concentration in Music and Psychoacoustics. He has been playing dozens of different instruments for over 50 years. Rob enjoys the broad appeal and fellowship of traditional instruments and music and enjoys meeting and working with musicians and craftspersons around the globe.

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In Good Hands 2026
Jul 18
In Good Hands 2026

Not only was Dr. David Bernstein instrumental in founding Cascadia Composers, he also had a vision for a concert program for pre-college musicians. That vision is realized in our In Good Hands concert series, an annual event where composers work with young musicians to help them grow as artists.

Our next concert in this series will take place on Saturday, July 18, 2026 (time TBD) in Lincoln Recital Hall, Room 75, at Portland State University. At this free event, pre-college students will perform pieces written by Cascadia Composers. Some will perform music written specifically for them; others will present works selected by their teachers from a score call to all 100+ Cascadia members. In either case, the composers collaborate with the students to develop their performance and further their understanding of the piece and of contemporary music in general—a unique opportunity for the students and a rewarding experience for the composers. 

Members of Cascadia Composers are proud of our In Good Hands project and concert series, and of our commitment to expanding the horizons of young musicians.

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Cascadia Composers Member Resources

Fostering a rich collaboration with local musicians, members share the benefit of being part of a regional community of composers who share common goals and aspirations. Cascadia Composers offers its members educational enrichment and presentation opportunities through monthly meetings.

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Members-Only Portal

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