THE SEATTLE SYMPHONY ANNOUNCES THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE WILLIAM & SARAH OVENS BASSOON, HELD BY PAUL RAFANELLI
THE NEWLY ENDOWED CHAIR HONORS THE ARTISTRY AND ENDURING LEGACY OF THE ORCHESTRA’S MUSICIANS
William & Sarah Ovens Bassoon Paul Rafanelli, Ovens estate representative Theresa Moore, Seattle Symphony Board Chair Susan Coughlin and Seattle Symphony Foundation Board Chair Michael Slonski.
Seattle, WA — The Seattle Symphony is proud to announce the establishment of the William & Sarah Ovens Bassoon, a new endowed chair that supports the artistic excellence of the orchestra and honors the enduring legacy of two devoted Symphony supporters, William and Sarah Ovens.
The Seattle Symphony is pleased to name Paul Rafanelli as the inaugural holder of the William & Sarah Ovens Bassoon. A member of the orchestra since 1992, Rafanelli has been a cornerstone of the Symphony’s woodwind section and a familiar presence on the Benaroya Hall stage.
“It’s always exciting when an endowed chair is announced,” said Rafanelli. “Any major gift to the Seattle Symphony is a gift that benefits all of the musicians. It’s a real honor that my chair has been named, and this endowment will continue to benefit the orchestra beyond my time here, and that is the real impact of this generous gift.”
“Endowed chairs are essential to sustaining the artistic excellence and distinctive sound of a great orchestra, and the William & Sarah Ovens Bassoon strengthens the musical foundation of the Seattle Symphony,” said Music Director Xian Zhang. “Honoring Paul through this chair celebrates his extraordinary artistry while ensuring the highest level of musical performance for generations to come.”
“We are deeply grateful to William and Sarah Ovens for their generosity and vision in establishing the William & Sarah Ovens Bassoon chair, an endowed position that strengthens the Symphony’s artistic and financial foundation for the future,” said Maria Yang, Acting CEO and Chief Development & Project Officer. “We are proud to honor the Ovens’ legacy and name Paul Rafanelli as the inaugural holder of this chair, recognizing his artistry and dedication to the orchestra.”
PAUL RAFANELLI BASSOON
A member of the Seattle Symphony since 1992, Paul has long been a cornerstone of the orchestra’s woodwind section and a familiar face to Symphony audiences. His artistry extends beyond the concert hall through frequent collaborations, and he is also a devoted teacher, serving from 1998 to 2014 on the faculty of the University of Puget Sound. In October of 2021 he joined the faculty of the University of Washington as Artist in Residence. Born and raised in Seattle, Paul studied at the University of Washington, the Manhattan School of Music and The Juilliard School. His artistry, experience and deep connection to this community make him a fitting inaugural holder of this distinguished chair.
WILLIAM & SARAH OVENS
Sarah grew up in Indiana, graduated from Indiana University and became a teacher and librarian in Seattle Public Schools. William “Bill” grew up in Seattle, attended the University of Washington and went on to become a banker. They met in The Mountaineers and spent a lot of time outdoors, hiking, gardening, fishing on their boat and building a cabin on Orcas Island. Sarah and Bill shared a love of music and had a wide circle of dear friends that grew to include children and grandchildren, all of whom felt loved and cherished by them. The couple’s legacy is focused on the environment and music.
SEATTLE SYMPHONY
Under the leadership of Music Director Xian Zhang, the Seattle Symphony unleashes the power of music, brings people together and lifts the human spirit. Recognized as one of the “most vital American orchestras” (NPR), the Seattle Symphony is internationally acclaimed for its inventive programming, community-minded initiatives and superb recordings on the Seattle Symphony Media label. With a strong commitment to new music and a legacy of over 150 recordings, the orchestra has won five Grammy Awards, 27 Grammy nominations, two Emmy Awards and was named Gramophone’s 2018 Orchestra of the Year. The Symphony performs in Benaroya Hall in the heart of downtown Seattle from September through July, reaching over 500,000 people annually through live performances and radio broadcasts.
BENAROYA HALL
Benaroya Hall, the home of the Seattle Symphony, is located in downtown Seattle. Opened in 1998, Benaroya Hall is the most-visited performing arts venue in Seattle. It has received numerous awards, including a 2001 American Institute of Architects (AIA) National Honor Award for outstanding architecture. Benaroya Hall has three versatile performance venues, the S. Mark Taper Foundation Auditorium, the Illsley Ball Nordstrom Recital Hall and Octave 9: Raisbeck Music Center, all renowned for their pristine acoustics, luxurious design and prime location. For additional information, including rental information, event listings and public tour schedules, please visit benaroyahall.org.
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