End of season spring soiree!
may 8, 2024
Join us for an enchanting evening at the Glacier Symphony's end-of-season soiree! Delight in a special appearance by local favorite, singer Mike Eldred, while indulging in exquisite wine and food from Waters Edge Winery. Hosted at the picturesque Whitefish home of Cyndi and Greg Olson, this event promises a memorable experience. Proceeds will support the Glacier Symphony Orchestra and Chorale.
soiree Sponsor:
Cyndi and Greg Olson
The Kramer Family Foundation @ The Whitefish Community Foundation
carmina burana: O Fortuna
a bold finale!
may 11, 2024 – Mcclaren hall
Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Carl Orff’s choral-symphonic masterpiece, Carmina Burana, will be the booming season finale. The “O Fortuna” chorus is extremely well-known. It’s thundering symphonic-choral warning is used by countless filmmakers and advertisers - a quick Google search will jog your memory. But Orff’s masterpiece is much more than its opening chorus! The work, based on 13th century medieval texts, serves as the guiding thread for three voice soloists, a full chorale and large orchestra.
Concert Sponsor:
festival amadeus 2024
summer solstice celebration!
june 21-22, 2024 – Mcclaren hall
Solstice Concerto Celebration
Friday, 7:30pm, June 21, 2024
Montana-raised soloist Natalie Dungey performs the technically challenging Trumpet Concerto by Hummel. She also offers the 10th anniversary of Shine On! written for the then 14 years old virtuoso by Maestro Zoltek. Mozart’s “Haffner” Symphony and Beethoven’s Triple Concerto for Violin, Cello and Piano featuring Glacier Symphony’s concertmaster, principal cellist and pianist complete the program.
Mozart Opera Highlights
Saturday, 7:30pm, June 22, 2024
Experience the most beautiful, dramatic, and light-hearted music from Mozart’s greatest operas: The Marriage of Figaro, Don Giovanni, and The Magic Flute. You’ll delight in signature arias and duets by unforgettable characters, performed by acclaimed singers and orchestra. A concert for opera lovers and for those who want an entertaining introduction to Mozart’s masterworks for the stage!
Concert Sponsor:
symphony night at rebecca farm
a summer classic!
july 5-6, 2024 – rebecca farm
Bring the entire family for a night of popular classical music to celebrate Independence Day Weekend and our beautiful Treasure State. Symphony Night at Rebecca Farm is an OUTDOOR symphonic pops concert that has been a favorite summer tradition in the Flathead Valley for over 20 years! This year’s music is themed “American Salute” and features grand movie music inspired by the west and patriotic selections. Bring a comfy chair, blanket or rent a picnic table. Take in the beautiful sunset, music and sense of community on the beautiful grounds at Rebecca Farm. Please do not bring in outside alcoholic beverages, we will have a vendor serving libations for the night. More popular food trucks and vendors will be present, too!
Concert Sponsor:
glacier symphony at abayance bay
classical music on the reservoir!
august 18th, 2024 – rexburg, montana
world connections season 42
Classical guitar with jason vieaux
opening night!
September 14, 2024 – wachholz college center
Experience the fluid grace of guitar in the Mediterranean tradition by joining us to hear Grammy-winning guitarist, Jason Vieaux. Our opening concert celebrates the most famous guitar concerto in the classical library of music, the Concerto de Aranjuez by Spanish composer Joaquin Rodrigo. Vieaux will also perform the vibrant composition, Troubadours, by John Corigliano. The concert finishes with Ancient Airs and Dances Suite by Respighi, which is inspired by Italian Renaissance and Baroque dance music to complete our journey through southern Europe. This opening night in the Mediterranean will set an excellent tone for our trip around the world in the 42nd season!
Concert Sponsor:
Symphonie Fantastique with tommy mesa
a truly magical performance!
october 12-13, 2024 – wachholz college center
Prepare for a night of enchanting music as the Glacier Symphony presents a lineup of truly magical compositions. The concert begins with Berlioz's captivating Symphonie Fantastique, followed by Dukas' beloved Sorcerer's Apprentice, famously featured in Walt Disney's Fantasia. Cuban-American cellist, Tommy Mesa, will perform with the Glacier Symphony Orchestra to deliver this night of magic. His talents will particularly shine when performing the Saint-Saens Cello Concerto No. 1 in A minor. Each of these pieces from France are recognized as revolutionary for their originality, innovative storytelling, and extraordinary sounds.
Concert Sponsor:
with joy together - glacier chorale
experience harmony!
november 2, 2024 – wachholz college center
This concert is rooted in the concept of unity across community, being stronger together, and neighbors blessing one another through presence, service, and love. Music, especially when performed by a large chorale, has a unique ability to uplift spirits and unite hearts. The combined voices of a chorale create a sense of unity and harmony that is incredibly powerful and uplifting. Each voice contributes to the overall tapestry of sound, fostering a sense of connection and community among the audience. Join us on a musical journey where every melody becomes a blessing, every harmony a symbol of unity, and every performance a testament to the power of spreading kindness and goodwill through the transformative experience of listening to a choir.
Concert Sponsor:
finlandia! with rachel parton pine
scandinavian soundscapes!
november 16-17, 2024 – wachholz college center
Celebrate the sounds of Scandinavia in a night dedicated to Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. The concert opens with the iconic Finlandia!, a revolutionary piece that catapulted Sibelius to fame and continues to captivate audiences with its powerful themes. Renowned violinist Rachael Barton-Pine will showcase her exceptional talent with Sibelius's demanding Violin Concerto in D. Delve into Sibelius's Symphony No. 5, inspired by Finland's breathtaking landscapes and natural wonders, including the majestic flight of white swans. Don't miss this chance to witness Sibelius's genius that will transport you to the heart of Scandinavian beauty and landscape.
Concert Sponsor:
handel’s messiah
celebrate the meaning of christmas!
december 7-8, 2024 – wachholz college center
Immerse yourself in the moving rendition of Handel's musical portrayal of Christ's Nativity story with the Glacier Symphony Orchestra and Chorale. This performance showcases the beautiful combination of chorale and orchestral sound and talent. And every year, Maestro Zoltek selects talented, up-and-coming voice soloists to perform with the Glacier Symphony Orchestra and Chorale. The piece celebrates the meaning of Christmas, and it is incredibly touching to hear the audience sing along to the well-known “Hallelujah” chorus. This is a classic Glacier Symphony performance and a wonderful way to start the Christmas season!
Concert Sponsor:
the nutcracker with san diego ballet company!
a delightful christmas tradition!
december 14-15, 2024 – wachholz college center
Glacier Symphony brings back the beloved holiday tradition of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker to Kalispell! Performed by the San Diego Ballet Company and young local dancers, this symphonic ballet uniquely blends local talent, professional ballet artistry and live symphonic music to bring Tchaikovsky’s vision to the next level. Prepare to be immersed in the enchanting story following Clara through the Land of Sweets, as dancers and musicians breathe life into this timeless classic. With sold-out shows and rave reviews over the past two years of the ballet, this performance promises to kick off your holiday season with joy and wonder to create an unforgettable experience for the whole family. Santa might even make an appearance in the lobby!
Concert Sponsor:
Symphony Jazz Night
with Halie loren and steven santoro!
january 18, 2025 – wachholz college center
Enjoy an enchanting evening of contemporary jazz as Halie Loren and Steven Santoro sing a blend of pop and reimagined classics from the Great American Songbook arranged for jazz trio and orchestra. With echoes of Norah Jones's soulful style, this concert promises a fusion of smooth melodies and captivating rhythms. Halie Loren, an internationally acclaimed jazz-pop singer-songwriter, brings her talent and connection to listeners worldwide, while Steven Santoro's strong vocals and unique blend of contemporary jazz and popular influences create a dramatic musical experience. Join us for an unforgettable night of sophistication where jazz's timeless feel takes center stage.
Concert Sponsor:
scheherezade with les arrivants trio
world music immersion!
february 22-23, 2025 – wachholz college center
We welcome Les Arrivants from Montreal, a unique trio of musicians who will transport our Flathead Valley audience to a far away land by blending Argentine Tango, Arabic Classical and Persian Rhythms into a very unique musical experience rarely heard with symphony. With a nod to the month of love, this program is inspired by Middle Eastern folklore and romance. The program features Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade and Alan Hovhaness's Rubaiyat of Omar al Kayyam to create an enchanting evening filled with exotic melodies and a beauty-and-the-beast style narrative. Join us to hear striking sounds from instruments you do not get to see every day!
Concert Sponsor:
Imagine: the music of john lennon
with jeans ‘n classics!
march 15, 2025 – wachholz college center
Due to popular demand, Jeans n' Classics makes a triumphant third-time return to our stage with a showcase of the best Beatles songs crafted by the legendary John Lennon. From timeless classics like 'Nowhere Man,' 'Come Together,' 'Strawberry Fields Forever,' and 'Revolution' to John's solo hits including 'Mind Games' and the iconic 'Imagine,' this nostalgic journey to the golden age of rock 'n' roll promises to uplift your spirits and fill your heart with joy. We cannot wait to jam out with our audience to John Lennon's and the Beatles' enduring legacy. Don't miss this unforgettable experience with Jeans n' Classics and the Glacier Symphony - or the Maestro’s rock ‘n roll surprises throughout the show!
Concert Sponsor:
missa solemnis: beethoven’s greatest
music that transcends!
april12-13, 2025 – wachholz college center
One of the most heavenly and complex choral-symphonic works that will showcase our own chorale with orchestra, Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis transcends its liturgical origins to create a universal experience. As the musicologist, Carl Dahlhaus, observed, “With the composition of a concert Mass, the concert hall was transformed into a church, and the Mass into a concert piece.” As the five mighty movements of the composition unfold, voices and instruments blend together as equals. Just as a great work of architecture plays tricks with our perception of scale, Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis seems to bend time expressing both human struggle and deep spirituality.
Concert Sponsor:
pictures at an exhibition
a musical journey through the louvre!
may 17-18, 2025 – wachholz college center
Our season finale concert brings together two of the greatest works from the Russian symphonic tradition in one concert, Mussorgsky’s Pictures at and Exhibition, orchestrated by Maurice Ravel and perhaps Tchaikovsky’s greatest and most universally popular work, the Piano Concerto No. 1 in b minor. Pictures at an Exhibition walks the audience through the auditory experience of touring The Louvre in Paris. After the grand opening piece, the powerful piano chords of Tchaikovsky’s first concerto is one of the true iconic opening passages in all of the concerto repertoire. Our soloist will be the engaging and technically masterful, Ilya Yakushev, a charismatic audience favorite, returning to our stage after “bringing the house down” with his electrifying performances here in 2023.
Concert Sponsor:
past concerts
past concerts
mark o’connor: an appalachian spring
a true fiddlemaster!
april 20, 2024 – Mcclaren hall
Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Mark O’Connor, a multiple CMA and Grammy award-winning “fiddlemaster” and composer, is our special guest for this one-night only concert. He blends Americana bluegrass, country, jazz and classical genres. As a special treat, Mark will be joined on stage by another amazing fiddler, his wife, Maggie O’Connor, for a double dose of fiddling alongside the symphony orchestra. The program will also showcase Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring, a quintessential work of Americana.
Concert Sponsor:
Jeans ‘n classics: Back to back
billy joel and elton john hits!
March 16, 2024 – Mcclaren hall
Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Another audience-demanded encore! The symphony teams up again with Jeans ‘N Classics to perform the music of Elton John and Billy Joel, back to back! Feel the power of every rock ballad by these two prolific songwriters and performers with the unparalleled sound of your symphony orchestra.
Concert Sponsor:
rhapsody in blue + the afro-american symphony
a night of the roaring 20s!
february 17, 2024 – Mcclaren hall
Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
Join the symphony in celebrating the 100th Anniversary of George Gershwin’s beloved Rhapsody in Blue performed by the Glacier Symphony Orchestra featuring the acclaimed pianist Terrence Wilson. The program will also include the groundbreaking “Afro-American Symphony” No. 1 by William Grant Still and the Piano Concerto in One Movement by composer Florence Price.
Concert Sponsor:
Cyndi & Greg Olson
Love your symphony SOIRÉE with Pianist Terrence wilson
Wednesday, February 14th at 7:00 p.m. at Swank Recital Hall in Wachholz College Center
Join your symphony on Valentines Day for the perfect date night that goes above and beyond! Skip the typical dinner reservation for a more elegant evening to share with your special someone. Our featured pianist for Rhapsody in Blue, Terrence Wilson, will set a romantic scene for our guests. Delicious bites by Salty Calf Catering will be provided with local wine and beer.
the nutcracker
another holiday must-see!
December 9-10, 2023– Mcclaren hall
3 performances
Encore! Glacier Symphony is bringing back the holiday event that was the sold-out talk of the town last year. The San Diego Ballet Company, young local dancers and Glacier Symphony will present a fully staged production of the Nutcracker, Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic. It is an exciting chance to see the Nutcracker performed by a professional ballet company and live symphony orchestra.
Concert Sponsor:
Handel’s messiah
orchestra & chorale perform the story of the nativity!
December 2-3, 2023– Mcclaren hall
Saturday at 7:30, Sunday at 3:00
Experience the inspiring performance of Handel’s scripture-based oratorio. Featured soloists will perform alongside the orchestra and chorale. The piece celebrates the birth and life of Jesus Christ, and it is hard to resist singing along to the “Hallelujah” chorus. This is a classic Glacier Symphony performance!
Concert Sponsor:
vision spirit land
honoring native american heritage month!
november 18 -19, 2023– Mcclaren hall
Saturday at 7:30, Sunday at 3:00
Your concert experience will begin with ceremonGlacier Symphony invites you to Vision Spirit Land, a powerful and breathtaking combination of classical orchestra performance, choreographed visual displays, poetry, and original composition in honor and celebration of Native American Heritage and the landscapes of Montana and beyond. Your concert experience will begin with ceremonial opening songs by Montana Blackfeet artist and 2023 Montana Teacher of the Year, Kevin KickingWoman, as a traditional welcome, blessing, and expression of gratitude for the concert and its audience. The symphony will perform Five Variants on Dives and Lazarus by Ralph Vaughan Williams as a photo-choreography visual display by Westwater Art’s entitled “Visions” projects the work and documentation by photographer Edward S. Curtis on overhead screens.
Next up will be the premiere of The Hunting Moon by Glacier Symphony Artistic Director and Conductor, John Zoltek, which is a poem-cycle for speaker, flute soloist and orchestra. This new work is based on the poetry of Salish Kootenai poet and University of Montana professor, Dr. Heather Cahoon. The music incorporates spoken poetry from Cahoon’s work and includes Native American flute solos performed by world flutist, Suzanne Teng. The Hunting Moon contains 11 separate movements which incorporate nearly 15 poems and additional excerpts from Heather Cahoon’s published works. Heather Cahoon’s poems themselves are rich in natural imagery and speak to Native American spirituality, wildlife, reservation living, and Flathead Valley scenery. Zoltek has used these poems as an inspirational springboard to create a dynamic orchestral work. The poetic text will be projected above the orchestra so that the audience can follow along with the narration and make their own connections.
After intermission, the concert continues with two more photo-choreography projection pieces by Westwater Arts: “Reflections of the Spirit,” with Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber and “National Park Suite” set to music by Antonin' Dvorak. The photography and film clips will feature natural spaces sacred to First Peoples of the Americas and a brilliant overview of our shared National Parks.
Concert Sponsors:
mystic dreams
glacier chorale in concert!
november 4, 2023– Mcclaren hall
Saturday at 7:30
The Glacier Chorale, under the direction of Dr. Micah Hunter, explores the many depictions of dreams in great poetry and choral literature. The performance will explore dreams of desire, awe, fear, love, beauty, and more in choral music both old and new. Join us for this inspirational concert highlighting the superb vocal artistry of the chorale.
Concert Sponsor:
the Planets + Outer space film experience
with kv science 265 and dr. salgado!
October 14-15, 2023– Mcclaren hall
Saturday at 7:30, Sunday at 3:00
This concert will be the ultimate fusion of science and sound! Imagine Gustav Holst’s masterpiece, The Planets, performed by a symphony orchestra while a high-definition outer space film is projected overhead on the big screen! This critically acclaimed film by astronomer/film-maker Jose Francisco Salgado, PhD includes awe-inspiring space visualizations from NASA and the European Space Agency. Dr. Salgado will offer a pre-concert lecture to the audience. The concert also recognizes Rachmaninoff’s 150th anniversary with a performance of one of his influential 2nd Piano Concerto featuring internationally acclaimed pianist Ilya Yakushev.
Concert Sponsor:
Beethoven lives upstairs
with classical kids and mt young soloist winner!
September 23rd– Mcclaren hall
Saturday at 7:30
Our family concert program is a theatrical symphony concert that imaginatively introduces young audiences and their families to the life and music of Ludwig Van Beethoven in a live performance venue. As an added treat, we present classical saxophonist soloist and winner of the 2022 Montana Young Artists Competition Senior Division, Antonio Jarvey, playing music of John Williams.
Concert Sponsor:
SEPTEMBER 8TH!! A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT SOIRÉE
This BBQ and beer, laid-back gathering will put a casual twist on soirées, in classic Montana style. This night of private music with the Glacier Symphony String Quartet will be at the beautiful Nest on Swan River, setting the scene for a spectacular harmony between the music planned for the evening and our great Montana outdoors.
An exhaustive spread of local food, beer, cider and wine will be served at this laid-back outdoor party with your symphony! Plus, get the inside scoop about our upcoming season concerts at this intimate gathering! Bring all of your questions!
Buy your tickets before September sneaks up on us!!
Symphony Night at Rebecca Farm
popular music and a summer classic!
July 7-8– The Grounds at rebecca farm
Friday and Saturday, Gates open at 5:30 and music begins at 7:30
Symphony Night at Rebecca Farm is an OUTDOOR symphonic pops concert that has been a favorite summer tradition in the Flathead Valley for 20 years!! Purchase a car pass and load up your family, kiddos and friends to enjoy a night of popular, patriotic and well-known symphonic music, from Beethoven to Tchaikovsky. Join us on July 7th and 8th under a Montana sunset to celebrate the Glacier Symphony and our beautiful Big Sky state!
Bring a comfy chair, blanket and snacks or rent a picnic table to enjoy a night of popular and patriotic tunes. Take in the beautiful sunset, music and sense of community on the beautiful grounds at Rebecca Farm. Please do not bring in outside alcoholic beverages, we will have a vendor serving libations for the night! More popular food and drink vendors will be present, too!
Early Bird Car Passes (purchased before June 30th) $55. General Car Pass or those purchased at gate $65.
Concert Sponsor:
Mozart at mcclaren
the new festival amadeus!
June 23rd-25th – McClaren Hall
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Announcing Festival Amadeus “Mozart at McClaren Hall,” June 23-25, 2023, presented by the Glacier Symphony with performances in the acoustically magnificent McClaren Hall at the Wachholz College Center in Kalispell. This 3-concert series will include a Friday chamber concert and orchestra performances on Saturday and Sunday. Joining the Festival Amadeus Orchestra will be acclaimed soloists, Anna Polonsky and violinist Yevgeny Kutik, all under the direction of Founding Artistic Director John Zoltek. The concerts will include music from the Classical and Early Romantic eras by Beethoven, Haydn, Mendelssohn and of course Mozart! The concert weekend also includes informative talks by Maestro Zoltek and our guest artists.
