Great Falls Symphony

### Great Falls Symphony Youth Orchestra Program The Great Falls Symphony Youth Orchestra Program (GFYO) is an integral part of the Great Falls Symphony Association (GFSA), which is dedicated to fostering musical excellence and cooperation among young musicians. Established in 1997, the GFYO aims to provide music education and artistic achievement opportunities to youth in North Central Montana. The program serves an average of 100 young musicians annually, ranging from 12 to 19 years old, including students from local public, private, and home schools, as well as those from communities outside Great Falls, such as Helena and Lewistown. The GFYO offers several ensembles to accommodate different skill levels and instrumentation. The Youth Orchestra is a full orchestral ensemble designed for high school students, while the Sinfonia is a strings-only group for intermediate students. Additionally, the Chamber Music Program creates small ensemble groups for all instruments and ages. These programs are built on the mission to cultivate values of excellence and a spirit of cooperation, while also emphasizing access, inclusiveness, and the development of confidence, discernment, teamwork, and leadership skills. Music is used as a medium to foster strong friendships and to promote academic excellence and discipline among the participants. The GFYO is a testament to the transformative power of music and its role in shaping the futures of young individuals. ### Great Falls Symphony History The Great Falls Symphony was founded in 1959 by a group of six dedicated musicians: Mary Agnes Roberts, Ernst Eichwald, Wayne Doolen, Paul Shull, William Spahr, and conductor Glen Welshon. In its early days, the Symphony performed its first concert in 1960 to a small audience of family and friends. Over the years, it has grown significantly and now presents multiple concert series that reach over 36,000 people annually. The Symphonic Choir, an integral part of the GFSA, was formed in 1960 under the leadership of Mary Moore. The GFSA has expanded its offerings to include a seven-concert symphony series, a chamber music series, and a Broadway In Great Falls series. The organization also features full-time resident chamber ensembles, the Cascade String Quartet and the Chinook Winds Quintet. The GFSA is committed to education and outreach, with an active program that serves both rural and urban communities across Montana. Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the Cascade Quartet in 2003-2004, the association brought world-renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma to perform with the orchestra. The GFSA has continued to demonstrate its commitment to artistic excellence by establishing the World Artist Series, which has featured internationally acclaimed artists such as violinists Itzhak Perlman, Midori, and Joshua Bell, flutist Sir James Galway, guitarist Christopher Parkening, banjoist Béla Fleck, and percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie. The Great Falls Symphony continues to enrich the cultural landscape of Montana through its dedication to music performance, education, and community engagement.