30th Anniverary
Thirty years ago, Seattle was a slightly different place. The Sonics were fresh off a trip to the NBA Finals, Frasier was dispensing advice from the radio, flannel was still a perfectly respectable fashion choice, and most of us had yet to hear the phrase “You’ve got mail.” Meanwhile, at Seattle’s Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, John Alderete and a group of musically inclined scientists began getting together after work for the simple joy of making music together.
What started as an informal gathering soon grew into something more. Inspired by Fred Hutch patient and local professional musician Elaine “Scotty” Banks, the ensemble organized, began giving public performances, and eventually became what we know today as your Lake Union Civic Orchestra. If that’s not community, we don’t know what is.
Three decades later, the same spirit of curiosity, community, and shared music-making is still at the heart of our beloved LUCO.
For our 30th Anniversary Season, we’re celebrating how far we’ve come while still looking ahead to what’s next. Music from LUCO’s fledgling years returns alongside works new to the orchestra and our audience, including world premieres, another exciting LUCO commission, guest artists, community collaborations, and a few special surprises. Along the way, LUCO’s adventurous programming has also earned national recognition, taking Third Place in the 2026 American Prize for Orchestral Programming, Community Division.
A lot has changed since 1996. The Sonics left town (but may be back soon), Frasier left the airwaves (and, eventually, came back), and flannel has gone in and out of fashion at least a few times. Somehow, LUCO just kept playing.
This season celebrates thirty remarkable years of LUCO. Join us as we begin the next thirty.
What started as an informal gathering soon grew into something more. Inspired by Fred Hutch patient and local professional musician Elaine “Scotty” Banks, the ensemble organized, began giving public performances, and eventually became what we know today as your Lake Union Civic Orchestra. If that’s not community, we don’t know what is.
Three decades later, the same spirit of curiosity, community, and shared music-making is still at the heart of our beloved LUCO.
For our 30th Anniversary Season, we’re celebrating how far we’ve come while still looking ahead to what’s next. Music from LUCO’s fledgling years returns alongside works new to the orchestra and our audience, including world premieres, another exciting LUCO commission, guest artists, community collaborations, and a few special surprises. Along the way, LUCO’s adventurous programming has also earned national recognition, taking Third Place in the 2026 American Prize for Orchestral Programming, Community Division.
A lot has changed since 1996. The Sonics left town (but may be back soon), Frasier left the airwaves (and, eventually, came back), and flannel has gone in and out of fashion at least a few times. Somehow, LUCO just kept playing.
This season celebrates thirty remarkable years of LUCO. Join us as we begin the next thirty.
About
The Lake Union Civic Orchestra (LUCO) is a largely volunteer-run, Seattle-based community orchestra distinguished by superb musicianship, low ticket prices, friendly atmosphere, central location of concerts, and exciting, innovative programming.
Local music critic Christopher DiLaurenti wrote, "LUCO's concerts have a homey feel missing from most classical music gigs; before the show, people laugh and chat casually as if at home. Yet when the music begins, the audience's attention becomes steadfast and quieter than most other orchestral performances I attend." (The Stranger, January, 2008)
Local music critic Christopher DiLaurenti wrote, "LUCO's concerts have a homey feel missing from most classical music gigs; before the show, people laugh and chat casually as if at home. Yet when the music begins, the audience's attention becomes steadfast and quieter than most other orchestral performances I attend." (The Stranger, January, 2008)
Mission
LUCO is dedicated to the exploration and performance of symphonic and chamber music with energy and passion and to sharing that experience with individuals and organizations throughout the community.
Programming and Repertoire
Each season, LUCO presents five full orchestral concerts. We focus on presenting both popular as well as newer or less well-known works, including works by living and/or local composers. LUCO has a generous complimentary ticket program to encourage those who have never seen a classical music concert, or those who cannot afford it, to attend.
Beginnings
LUCO began when founder and then doctoral candidate John Alderete gathered together a group of musically-inclined fellow scientists to play together for fun after work at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. There was no formal organization or director until Elaine "Scotty" Banks, a professional musician and a patient at the Hutch, joined the group. Scotty's passion for music performance inspired the members to organize more formally and begin a season of regular public performances.
First called the "Lake Union Chamber Orchestra," our group steadily improved over time and began attracting musicians from the Seattle community at large. By 1998, LUCO had matured into a full symphony orchestra. In that year, our members voted to change our name to the "Lake Union Civic Orchestra" and hire our first paid music director.
In 1999, Maestro Christophe Chagnard took up the baton as Music Director, bringing with him exceptionally high standards for musical growth that have challenged and inspired LUCO to become one of Seattle's preeminent community orchestras. Today LUCO performs five concerts per year in Seattle, as well as a pay-what-you-will chamber music concert. LUCO serves the Seattle community by making orchestral music accessible to diverse audiences. We serve local and national professional musicians who wish to perform as soloists with a full symphony orchestra. We serve our members by providing proficient amateur musicians the opportunity to rehearse and produce high-quality performances in a friendly, collegial atmosphere.
The conclusion of the 2018-2019 marked Christophe Chagnard's final season as music director after twenty years on the podium. The Board of Directors, with advice of the full membership, appointed Nikolas Caoile to the position of Music Director starting with the 2019-2020 season and bestowed the title of Director Emeritus to Christophe Chagnard in honor of his two decades of artistic leadership. Dr. Caoile guest conducted LUCO in April 2016 on an exciting program of music by Stravinsky, Ravel and Rachmaninov, and the Board of Directors felt confident he was the right person to lead the orchestra onwards. Dr. Caoile holds degrees in conducting and composition and completed his Doctor of Musical Arts in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Michigan.
In June 2024, Daren Weissfisch was selected as the next music director of LUCO after a year-long search. Daren is a distinguished conductor, oboist, and educator based in Seattle. He currently serves as the Principal Conductor for the Tacoma Opera. Daren is also Conductor for the Seattle Opera Creation Lab and has worked with local orchestras including the Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra, Harmonia Orchestra, and the Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra.
First called the "Lake Union Chamber Orchestra," our group steadily improved over time and began attracting musicians from the Seattle community at large. By 1998, LUCO had matured into a full symphony orchestra. In that year, our members voted to change our name to the "Lake Union Civic Orchestra" and hire our first paid music director.
In 1999, Maestro Christophe Chagnard took up the baton as Music Director, bringing with him exceptionally high standards for musical growth that have challenged and inspired LUCO to become one of Seattle's preeminent community orchestras. Today LUCO performs five concerts per year in Seattle, as well as a pay-what-you-will chamber music concert. LUCO serves the Seattle community by making orchestral music accessible to diverse audiences. We serve local and national professional musicians who wish to perform as soloists with a full symphony orchestra. We serve our members by providing proficient amateur musicians the opportunity to rehearse and produce high-quality performances in a friendly, collegial atmosphere.
The conclusion of the 2018-2019 marked Christophe Chagnard's final season as music director after twenty years on the podium. The Board of Directors, with advice of the full membership, appointed Nikolas Caoile to the position of Music Director starting with the 2019-2020 season and bestowed the title of Director Emeritus to Christophe Chagnard in honor of his two decades of artistic leadership. Dr. Caoile guest conducted LUCO in April 2016 on an exciting program of music by Stravinsky, Ravel and Rachmaninov, and the Board of Directors felt confident he was the right person to lead the orchestra onwards. Dr. Caoile holds degrees in conducting and composition and completed his Doctor of Musical Arts in Orchestral Conducting from the University of Michigan.
In June 2024, Daren Weissfisch was selected as the next music director of LUCO after a year-long search. Daren is a distinguished conductor, oboist, and educator based in Seattle. He currently serves as the Principal Conductor for the Tacoma Opera. Daren is also Conductor for the Seattle Opera Creation Lab and has worked with local orchestras including the Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra, Harmonia Orchestra, and the Issaquah Philharmonic Orchestra.