The Beaverton Symphony Orchestra, formerly known as the Beaverton Chamber Symphony, was founded in 1984 by Dr. Charles Encell and based on the philosophy that the group would provide a place for amateur musicians to play great music and share it with the Beaverton community at affordable prices. For nearly twenty-five years, Dr. Encell led the group of approximately 50 local musicians in three concerts a year, performing a wide variety of classical music.  Upon Encell’s retirement in the spring of 2008, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Beaverton Arts Commission for his work establishing and leading the Beaverton Chamber Symphony for more than two decades.

The 2008-09 season saw a series of guest conductors lead the group, while the orchestra's Board of Directors conducted a search for a new Music Director.   Ultimately, the board and musicians together selected Travis Hatton, widely known to Portland audiences through his conducting work with numerous Portland area musical groups.  Mr. Hatton took the baton during the summer of 2009 and made his first appearance with the orchestra the following autumn, conducting its 25th anniversary concert.

Under Mr. Hatton, the orchestra went in exciting new directions:  establishing a youth concerto competition, broadening community involvement, adding new performance venues, and programming seldom-heard works in addition to standard symphonic repertoire.

Tragically, Mr. Hatton passed away in October 2022, but the orchestra continued the 2022-2023 season with help from Niel DePonte and other guest conductors.

The 2023-2024 season was again dedicated to finding a new Music Director. Three excellent candidates, Jonathan DeBruyn, Dwayne Corbin, and Pierre-Alain Chevalier, and guest conductor Adam Eccleston, each conducted a rehearsal and performance cycle. After the final concert, the orchestra members voted to select Pierre-Alain Chevalier as our next Music Director and we look forward to continuing the BSO's history under his baton.