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Early History:
In her book Bozeman and the Gallatin Valley, author Phyllis Smith shares the beginning of the Bozeman Symphony and their first performance in 1910 at the Gem Theater. Following performances at the Gem Theater, the Symphony would perform at the Ellen Theatre of which, today’s Gallatin Valley residents, are much more familiar. |
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Present Day:
The present version of the Bozeman Symphony was established on January 11th, 1968 as an outgrowth of the earlier Montana State University Symphony Orchestra. This outgrowth was driven by the need to fulfill a collaborative community orchestra felt by numerous performers and audience members. A Symphony organization, independent of Montana State University, would allow flexibility in scheduling and fundraising, and would encourage participation from the greater Bozeman community. The Symphony was formed as a supporting group for both the Orchestra and Symphonic Choir.
Today, close community ties are still maintained to MSU through the participation of faculty and students, as well as cooperation with rehearsal space, sharing music resources, and some limited instrument usage. Since the institution of the Society in 1968, the organization has been managed by an elected board of directors who oversee the Music Director and Executive Director, establish policy, accomplishes planning, and seeks financial support for presenting live symphonic music in the Gallatin Valley and south-central Montana.
Founding board members announced the incorporation stating “Many of the people in the community are unaware of the competence of the musical groups that will be the nucleus of the community Symphony.” The first season presenting four concerts was an outstanding success with a total concert attendance of 2,500 people. At the beginning of the Symphony’s third concert season Mayor Don Langohr, Jr. proclaimed “Symphony Week” saying the organization “provided an enrichment of the cultural life of the Bozeman Area.”
The present version of the Bozeman Symphony was established on January 11th, 1968 as an outgrowth of the earlier Montana State University Symphony Orchestra. This outgrowth was driven by the need to fulfill a collaborative community orchestra felt by numerous performers and audience members. A Symphony organization, independent of Montana State University, would allow flexibility in scheduling and fundraising, and would encourage participation from the greater Bozeman community. The Symphony was formed as a supporting group for both the Orchestra and Symphonic Choir.
Today, close community ties are still maintained to MSU through the participation of faculty and students, as well as cooperation with rehearsal space, sharing music resources, and some limited instrument usage. Since the institution of the Society in 1968, the organization has been managed by an elected board of directors who oversee the Music Director and Executive Director, establish policy, accomplishes planning, and seeks financial support for presenting live symphonic music in the Gallatin Valley and south-central Montana.
Founding board members announced the incorporation stating “Many of the people in the community are unaware of the competence of the musical groups that will be the nucleus of the community Symphony.” The first season presenting four concerts was an outstanding success with a total concert attendance of 2,500 people. At the beginning of the Symphony’s third concert season Mayor Don Langohr, Jr. proclaimed “Symphony Week” saying the organization “provided an enrichment of the cultural life of the Bozeman Area.”
MILESTONES
Founding Directors: Creech Reynolds (pictured on the left/founding director) and Lowell Hickman (pictured on the right) lead the Bozeman Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Choir.
1968The Bozeman Symphony Society is incorporated as a nonprofit entity.
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1984Willson Auditorium becomes the official performance hall of the Bozeman Symphony.
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1990Elizabeth Sellers named as conductor. Sellers was the first non-Montana State University faculty member to direct the Symphony, and the first female Symphony director in the State.
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1968: The Bozeman Symphony Society is incorporated as a nonprofit entity.
1968: First concert, November 24th with special guest Jan Peerce, Tenor Soloist
1984: Willson Auditorium becomes the official performance hall of the Bozeman Symphony.
1990: Elizabeth Sellers named as conductor. Sellers was the first non-Montana State University faculty member to direct the Symphony, and first female Symphony director in the state.
1968: First concert, November 24th with special guest Jan Peerce, Tenor Soloist
1984: Willson Auditorium becomes the official performance hall of the Bozeman Symphony.
1990: Elizabeth Sellers named as conductor. Sellers was the first non-Montana State University faculty member to direct the Symphony, and first female Symphony director in the state.
1992Far Afield program is established taking Bozeman Symphony chamber ensembles to rural communities to present free performances and shared musical perspectives. Far Afield enables the audience to see, hear, and feel the music being created live.
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1993The first children's concert is presented filling Willson Auditorium with 800 fourth-graders representing 13 schools from Bozeman, Livingston, Gardiner and even Mammoth Hot Springs to hear and see the music.
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1992: Far Afield program is established taking Bozeman Symphony chamber ensembles to rural communities to present free performances and shared musical perspectives. Far Afield enables the audience to see, hear, and feel the music being created live.
1993: The first children's concert is presented filling Willson Auditorium with 800 fourth-graders representing 13 schools from Bozeman, Livingston, Gardiner and even Mammoth Hot Springs to hear and see the music.
1994: Matthew Savery named as conductor of the Bozeman Symphony.
1998: New York Times identifies the Symphony and culture in Bozeman.
1993: The first children's concert is presented filling Willson Auditorium with 800 fourth-graders representing 13 schools from Bozeman, Livingston, Gardiner and even Mammoth Hot Springs to hear and see the music.
1994: Matthew Savery named as conductor of the Bozeman Symphony.
1998: New York Times identifies the Symphony and culture in Bozeman.
2001/2002Unprecedented success, all season tickets for the Symphony are sold out.
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2010Steinway model D grand piano is purchased, and jointly owned by the Bozeman Symphony and Montana State University.
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2012The first Festival of the Fourth collaboration between the Bozeman Symphony and Gallatin Empire Lions Club.
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2001: Unprecedented success, all season tickets for the Symphony are sold out.
2002: Sold out season is followed by the addition of a second performance to each concert series. The Family Pass and Rush Tickets are introduced.
2002: Symphony identified as “Best Cultural Amenity” by Tributary Magazine
2002: The Underwriters program is established. Symphony Underwriters provide a strong, stable financial base to the Bozeman Symphony Orchestra and Choir by committing to donate a minimum of $100 each month ($1,200 a year or more) to the Symphony.
2003: Symphony identified as “Cornerstone for Arts and Culture” by the Bozeman Daily Chronicle.
2003: The Symphony is selected by the Adams Foundation of Santa Barbara, CA to participate in a series of piano recitals designed to reestablish piano recitals in communities throughout America. The Symphony’s piano series continues as part of special events presented each season.
2004: “Montana is a Symphony” custom license plate is introduced supporting the Montana Association of Symphony Orchestras which then grants the money supporting orchestras in the State.
2006: The Symphony is highlighted in the League of American Orchestras Magazine.
2008: “Sun Road – The Story of a Symphony” is produced by documentarian Ray Strother focusing on how the Bozeman Symphony has won the heart of a region and become a cultural leader by exceeding expectations and accepting challenges of new music.
2010: Steinway model D grand piano is purchased, and jointly owned by the Bozeman Symphony and Montana State University.
2012: The first Festival of the Fourth collaboration between the Bozeman Symphony and Gallatin Empire Lions Club presenting a free inspirational program of patriotic and popular music leading into the traditional fireworks display.
2002: Sold out season is followed by the addition of a second performance to each concert series. The Family Pass and Rush Tickets are introduced.
2002: Symphony identified as “Best Cultural Amenity” by Tributary Magazine
2002: The Underwriters program is established. Symphony Underwriters provide a strong, stable financial base to the Bozeman Symphony Orchestra and Choir by committing to donate a minimum of $100 each month ($1,200 a year or more) to the Symphony.
2003: Symphony identified as “Cornerstone for Arts and Culture” by the Bozeman Daily Chronicle.
2003: The Symphony is selected by the Adams Foundation of Santa Barbara, CA to participate in a series of piano recitals designed to reestablish piano recitals in communities throughout America. The Symphony’s piano series continues as part of special events presented each season.
2004: “Montana is a Symphony” custom license plate is introduced supporting the Montana Association of Symphony Orchestras which then grants the money supporting orchestras in the State.
2006: The Symphony is highlighted in the League of American Orchestras Magazine.
2008: “Sun Road – The Story of a Symphony” is produced by documentarian Ray Strother focusing on how the Bozeman Symphony has won the heart of a region and become a cultural leader by exceeding expectations and accepting challenges of new music.
2010: Steinway model D grand piano is purchased, and jointly owned by the Bozeman Symphony and Montana State University.
2012: The first Festival of the Fourth collaboration between the Bozeman Symphony and Gallatin Empire Lions Club presenting a free inspirational program of patriotic and popular music leading into the traditional fireworks display.
2015$3.5 million renovation enhances the 78-year-old historic Willson Auditorium.
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2017New Logo of the Bozeman Symphony.
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2018
Fundraising campaign launches anticipating to present a classical music festival to Bozeman the summer of 2019.
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2015: $3.5 million renovation enhances the 78-year-old historic Willson Auditorium.
2016: $75K Symphony Summer Challenge raises critical funds for the Symphony.
2017: New Logo of the Bozeman Symphony.
2018: January 11th, 2018 the Bozeman Symphony turns 50! A celebration was held at the Emerson Ballroom.
2018: Summer concert series campaign launch anticipating to present a classical music festival to Bozeman the Summer of 2019!
2019: Symphony launches search for new Music Director.
2020: Norman Huynh named new Music Director.
2021: Bozeman Symphony moved office location to 402 East Main Street, Suite 202, Bozeman, MT 59715
2016: $75K Symphony Summer Challenge raises critical funds for the Symphony.
2017: New Logo of the Bozeman Symphony.
2018: January 11th, 2018 the Bozeman Symphony turns 50! A celebration was held at the Emerson Ballroom.
2018: Summer concert series campaign launch anticipating to present a classical music festival to Bozeman the Summer of 2019!
2019: Symphony launches search for new Music Director.
2020: Norman Huynh named new Music Director.
2021: Bozeman Symphony moved office location to 402 East Main Street, Suite 202, Bozeman, MT 59715
