Our Story

The Ravenna String Orchestras operate with the belief that the best music comes when you are playing fun repertoire with your friends. This has kept us going strong since 1996, and we hope well into the future! Both of our orchestras are no audition, and cost should never discourage you from playing with us--no one will ever be turned away due to finances.

Rehearsals are at the Phinney Center 6532 Phinney Ave. N, Seattle. There are three sessions each year in the Fall, Winter and Spring, each followed by a concert. Concerts are usually held at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church 111 NE 80th St., Seattle.

Our History

One day Lorraine Hughes (pictured, left) and Judy Drake (pictured, right) walked their dogs around Green Lake. They discussed what they might do upon retirement. One idea was to lick envelopes; the other was to start a community orchestra. They chose the second alternative and began immediately.

The Ravenna String Orchestra, now simply The Ravenna Strings, was organized in 1996. As the membership grew and the players became more advanced, a second orchestra was begun at Langston Hughes Center for the Arts in 2000. Both orchestras have since moved to the Phinney Center for rehearsals.

Judy Drake, violinist/conductor, was the director from the founding of the orchestra through February 2017.

Lorraine Hughes was the co-director/pianist through February 2017.