Narragansett Bay Symphony Community Orchestra

The Narragansett Bay Symphony Community Orchestra (NaBSCO) is a non-profit, all-volunteer orchestra that brings together musicians with a shared passion for classical music. Founded in 2006 as the Rhode Island Philharmonic Community Orchestra (RIPCO), the group was initially under the guidance of founding Music Director John Eells and supported by the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School. The ensemble was created to provide an opportunity for adult musicians to play symphonic music at a high level. In 2013, with Eells preparing to move to California, the orchestra transitioned to an independent non-profit organization and adopted its current name, Narragansett Bay Symphony Community Orchestra. The musicians, hailing from various towns and cities in Rhode Island as well as neighboring states Massachusetts and Connecticut, come from diverse occupational fields and backgrounds. Some have been with NaBSCO since its inception, while others are enjoying their first season. Under the leadership of Music Director Kristo Kondakçi, NaBSCO has been dedicated to fulfilling its mission of "classical-music-for-all." The orchestra aims to share live classical music with the community at little to no cost, promote lifelong music education, and enrich the cultural life of the region. NaBSCO has taken innovative steps to make classical music more accessible, such as moving to a pay-what-you-think-is-fair ticket model in 2021, believing that financial constraints should not prevent anyone from experiencing classical music. NaBSCO has also expanded its repertoire beyond traditional classical music by showcasing instruments and compositions that are not typically associated with the classical canon. This includes performing concertos for instruments like the mandolin, guitar, djembe, and alto saxophone. The orchestra has supported contemporary composers by debuting new works and has performed world premieres, such as Avner Dorman's Concerto for Mandolin, Guitar, and Orchestra, and Kari Juusela and Sidy Maiga's Concerto Mali, as well as the United States premiere of Eduardo Morales-Caso's Concierto de la Herradura for Guitar and Orchestra. Collaboration is a key aspect of NaBSCO's approach, having worked with local arts and music organizations such as Rhode Island Latino Arts, the Community College of Rhode Island Choir, Coro Amante, and participating in the University of Rhode Island Guitar Festival. The orchestra's vision is to develop a dynamic presence in the community through superb performances and educational programming, while maintaining a spirit of friendship, acceptance, and support within its ranks. NaBSCO welcomes new members and encourages community involvement, whether as musicians in the orchestra or as audience members at their concerts. The organization's by-laws and procedures & guidelines reflect its commitment to high standards of musicianship and community engagement. With a mission to share the joy of music and a vision to continually reach out to new audiences, the Narragansett Bay Symphony Community Orchestra remains a vibrant and integral part of the region's cultural landscape.