Helena Symphony Orchestra
Encyclopedia
The Helena Symphony Orchestra (HSO) is an American orchestra
based in Helena, Montana
. The mission of the Helena Symphony and Chorale is to provide classical music of the highest quality in live performances for the greater Helena community. They strive to create community through music; to expand symphonic musical experiences in public and private education; and to provide professional management and fiscal stability. Founded in 1955 and is said to be the best symphony in the state of Montana and one of the best in the Northwest United States, the Helena Symphony plays the majority of its concerts at the grand Helena Civic Center and in the summer performs at Carroll College
presenting their annual free Summer Symphony to thousands of listeners. The music director is Allan R. Scott.
lawn for a free pops sort of concert.
Exciting, challenging, and invigorating music is always a guarantee at their concerts.
and a fireworks display to 1812 Overture
. In 2006 was a performance of famous movie themes, and in 2008 was the playing of Gustav Holst
's The Planets
, kicked off with a fireworks finale to "Star Wars Theme". The 2011 concert will present music from the Harlen Renaissance including Duke Ellington and more...
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
based in Helena, Montana
Helena, Montana
Helena is the capital city of the U.S. state of Montana and the county seat of Lewis and Clark County. The 2010 census put the population at 28,180. The local daily newspaper is the Independent Record. The Helena Brewers minor league baseball and Helena Bighorns minor league hockey team call the...
. The mission of the Helena Symphony and Chorale is to provide classical music of the highest quality in live performances for the greater Helena community. They strive to create community through music; to expand symphonic musical experiences in public and private education; and to provide professional management and fiscal stability. Founded in 1955 and is said to be the best symphony in the state of Montana and one of the best in the Northwest United States, the Helena Symphony plays the majority of its concerts at the grand Helena Civic Center and in the summer performs at Carroll College
Carroll College (Montana)
Carroll College is a private Catholic liberal arts college in Helena, Montana, USA. Carroll College has earned national and regional awards for its academic programs. Carroll's colors are purple and gold...
presenting their annual free Summer Symphony to thousands of listeners. The music director is Allan R. Scott.
The population of Helena is 30,000; it would appear that about half that number were in attendance. This orchestra, which is led by Allan Scott, has an annual budget of just over $600,000, but they don't lack for adventure; they recently played Nielsen's Inextinguishable, and they are completing a Mahler cycle with the Symphony of a Thousand, Mahler's Symphony No. 8 being performed in May of 2012.
Regular Season
The Helena Symphony and Chorale performs ten concerts on average in a season that lasts from September to May. Three of those concerts include Christmas specials with a Cathedral of St. Helena performance and two performances of the Nutcracker with the Queen City Ballet in the Helena Civic Center. The symphony and chorale also performs a summer special that draws nearly 15,000 people to the Carroll CollegeCarroll College (Montana)
Carroll College is a private Catholic liberal arts college in Helena, Montana, USA. Carroll College has earned national and regional awards for its academic programs. Carroll's colors are purple and gold...
lawn for a free pops sort of concert.
Exciting, challenging, and invigorating music is always a guarantee at their concerts.
Symphony Under the Stars
The Symphony Under the Stars is a continuation of the Montana Symphony Under the Stars, in which musicians from all the state's orchestras collaborated. The free concert now consists of Helena Symphony Orchestra and Chorale members. The concert is grabbing national attention as it is given a finale with fireworks for the entire Helena valley and city to enjoy. The fireworks display is one of the largest in the state. Past shows have included "Best of Bernstein," kicked off with a riveting performance of Rhapsody in BlueRhapsody in Blue
Rhapsody in Blue is a musical composition by George Gershwin for solo piano and jazz band written in 1924, which combines elements of classical music with jazz-influenced effects....
and a fireworks display to 1812 Overture
1812 Overture
The Year 1812, Festival Overture in E flat major, Op. 49, popularly known as the 1812 Overture or the Overture of 1812 is an overture written by Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky in 1880 to commemorate Russia's defense of Moscow against Napoleon's advancing Grande Armée at the Battle of...
. In 2006 was a performance of famous movie themes, and in 2008 was the playing of Gustav Holst
Gustav Holst
Gustav Theodore Holst was an English composer. He is most famous for his orchestral suite The Planets....
's The Planets
The Planets
The Planets, Op. 32, is a seven-movement orchestral suite by the English composer Gustav Holst, written between 1914 and 1916. Each movement of the suite is named after a planet of the Solar System and its corresponding astrological character as defined by Holst...
, kicked off with a fireworks finale to "Star Wars Theme". The 2011 concert will present music from the Harlen Renaissance including Duke Ellington and more...