August was a busy month of connection and preparation for MASO! We held meetings with our Music Director, Marketing & Development, and Executive Director cohorts, while launching two new cohort groups for Board Members and Education & Community Outreach. The Young Artists Competition Committee and MASO Board also met as preparations continue for the 2027 YAC and Montana Symphony Summit, including conversations with adjudicators and professional development leaders and the launch of YAC applications. Kassidy also visited the Billings Public Schools arts department’s beginning-of-year meeting to share the competition with local educators and continued outreach to teachers, media, and musicians across the state to spread the word about this year’s opportunities.