Glacier Symphony

The Glacier Symphony, Orchestra and Chorale, is one of the most active performing arts organizations in the inner-mountain northwest. Located in Montana’s beautiful Flathead Valley, the symphony produces a yearly Masterworks season of subscription concerts, educational programming for area schools, the family-friendly outdoor Symphony Night at Rebecca Farm, exclusive special events, and the region’s only weeklong classical music series, Festival Amadeus. Join us as we explore the finest in classical music! The Glacier Symphony, Orchestra and Chorale has its roots in the 1970’s when the Performing Arts Council was formed from a core of music lovers in the Flathead Valley. The Council sponsored recitals and summer concerts in the Valley and later formed The Hockaday Chamber Orchestra, which performed a series of concerts. Glacier Symphony members of this early group included Doug James, Lindy James, and Shauneen and Ray Garner. This early musical group coalesced in earnest in June 1981 when they continued to rehearse and perform together as the Flathead Valley Chamber Orchestra and Chorale. By 1982, the group had expanded to the size that larger works could be performed, under the direction of the new guest conductor Gordon Johnson, conductor of the Great Falls Symphony. That same year, Gordon was named Music Director, and the name of the group was changed to The Glacier Orchestra and Chorale. Shauneen Garner was the founding Chorale Conductor and Robin Bailey was named Executive Director in 1985. In 1997, with the hiring of John Zoltek as a full time music director, the growth of the organization expanded rapidly. To reflect its substantial growth and artistic quality, the G.O.C. changed its name to the Glacier Symphony and Chorale in July 2003. In 2004, Amy Smith-Kellogg was hired as Executive Director, followed by Alan Satterlee in 2006. Dr. Jim Stanard was hired as the Chorale Conductor in 2006 following the retirement of Shauneen Garner. Accomplished chorale conductor Dr.Micah Hunter, was hired in 2015 to take over for Dr. Stanard. Continuing to grow and evolve, with a mission to bring more classical music to the area, John Zoltek’s dream of establishing a week-long classical music festival came to fruition in 2008 with the premier of <em><strong>Festival Amadeus</strong></em>, which celebrated its 12th anniversary in 2019. We ARE Montana’s Festival Orchestra! Now, with the new name of “Glacier Symphony, Orchestra and Chorale,” we are the most active symphonic organization in the state of Montana, performing up to 24 concerts and events per season, with year-round programming. During our MasterWorks season, we offer a variety of symphonic, holiday pops, guest artist Soloist concerts and chorale concerts from October through February, our February Masquerade Gala Dinner, a regional concert series in April for our Spring Festival, and more. Summer programming includes our outdoor Symphony Night at the Farm concerts at Rebecca Farm, and our unique, weeklong, Festival Amadeus. Interwoven throughout the entire year is our expanding Youth Music Experience (YME) and Wild About Music (WAM) education and outreach programs. Glacier Symphony attracts audiences from all across Northwest Montana, plus visitors from around the country. World-renown guest artists perform regularly with the Symphony and are delighted to find such an accomplished symphonic organization in our valley. The Symphony will continue to provide diverse programming, combining performing different art forms, such as opera and dance, to enlarge its artistic offerings, enhancing the cultural assets of our community. There is truly something for everyone at YOUR Glacier Symphony!