Bringing classical music to Flathead youth
Every night through Aug. 8, dozens of talented musicians will be entertaining classical music enthusiasts during Festival Amadeus chamber and orchestra concerts in Whitefish and Kalispell.
During the day, many of those same musicians will perform an equally important role, as inspirations and models for budding classical musicians.
Two youth music camps facilitated through North Valley Music School — Camp Festival Amadeus and a piano camp with Bozeman master instructor Kenneth Christensen — are being held in conjunction with the third annual celebration of classical music sponsored by the Glacier Symphony and Chorale.
Camp Festival Amadeus focuses on ensemble and chamber styles of classical music. The piano camp with Christensen has been traditionally held earlier in the summer but it was decided to hold it in conjunction with the festival for the increased opportunities.
As well as working with festival musicians, who are acting as faculty for the camp, students at the camps observe rehearsals and, in some cases, sit on stage with the musicians while they rehearse.
Camp staff are from the music school, some members of the Glacier String Quartet, as well as members of the Bridger String Quartet of Bozeman.
The students at both camps, who come from throughout Montana as well as the Flathead Valley, are also invited to attend every Festival Amadeus performance at no charge. Camps director Cameron Blake said that the concerts have been a well-received part of the camp.
“For that age of kids, going to hear classical music is not usually at the top of their lists,” she said. “Last year at the end of camp we ended up with extra kids, with friends begging to come along and siblings. It becomes the thing to do for the evening; it’s pretty neat to see how it engages them.”
Making classical music relevant and accessible for all ages is a huge goal for Festival Amadeus, said Alan Satterlee, executive director of the Glacier Symphony and Chorale. So having the youth music camps running concurrently with the festival is a tremendous boost toward that.
“It costs us a little bit to do that,” he said of giving free passes to the staff and students, “but over time we’ll get repaid. You get the kids and their families coming, it creates a good relationship and builds an audience.”
Also adding to the complex scheduling Satterlee has to do for the camp is having the guest artists — this year world-class pianist Joel Fan, a member of Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Tour, and the Canadian duet of Heidi Krutzen on harp and Lorna McGhee on flute — give some time to the students.
Fan will be giving feedback to piano students during a master class at North Valley Music School while McGhee and Krutzen will hold a question-and-answer session for up-and-coming musicians at the Whitefish Foursquare Church.
Students are not the only ones benefiting from the Festival Amadeus drive to generate interest in classical music. The public is invited to attend the two presentations with Fan, and McGhee and Krutzen, as well as a number of rehearsals.
“It’s a service we can provide for people interested in music education,” Satterlee said. “It’s interesting to see what the musicians do to get ready for a performance.”
Festival Amadeus schedule
Aug. 2, 7:30 p.m. — “Evening with the Artists,” O’Shaughnessy Center, Whitefish
Aug. 3, 8 p.m. — “Melodic Souvenirs,” chamber music at the O’Shaughnessy Center
Aug. 4, 8 p.m. — “Breathing Arches of Silver Sound,” chamber music at the O’Shaughnessy Center
Aug. 5, 8 p.m. — “Extravaganza,” chamber music at the O’Shaughnessy Center
Aug. 6, 8 p.m. — “Mozart Parisian Gallant,” orchestra concert at the Christian Center, Kalispell
Aug. 7, 8 p.m. — “Harmony of the World,” orchestra and dance at the O’Shaughnessy Center
Aug. 8, 8 p.m. — “Fantastic Finale: Mozart’s Glorious C major,” orchestra concert at the Christian Center
Tickets are available online or by calling 257-3241. During festival week, the box office at the O’Shaughnessy Center will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. Tickets will be sold at the door starting at 5 p.m. at all concerts and events.
A Festival Amadeus transferable pass for the week of music concerts is available with two pricing options. Adults pass is $130; senior pass is $120 and youth passes are $60. A “Pick Four” pass is offered at $99, $89 and $40, respectively.
Individual chamber night tickets are priced at $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and $10 for youth. Orchestra night tickets are $30 for adults, $28 for seniors, $15 for youth. Single-event tickets are available for the opening night “Evening with the Artists” reception on Monday, Aug. 2, for $35 all ages.
To view the complete schedule of concerts and free music events, visit www.gscmusic.org, 257-3241
Free events
Today — Rehearsal, Glacier and Bridger String Quartets, 1 p.m.
O’Shaughnessy Center, Whitefish
Tuesday — Rehearsal, Krutzen and McGhee, 1 p.m.
Whitefish Foursquare Church, 233 Kalispell Ave.
Piano master class taught by Joel Fan, 4 p.m.
North Valley Music School, 432 Spokane Ave., Whitefish
Wednesday — Rehearsal, “Schumann Piano Quartet” with Joel Fan, 1 p.m.
O’Shaughnessy Center
Thursday — Krutzen and McGhee, “Making Music Together” workshop, 3:30 p.m., Whitefish Foursquare Church
“Your Brain on Music,” a pre-concert talk with music instructor Diane Volkman, 7 to 7:45 p.m., O’Shaughnessy Center
Friday — Concert by Camp Festival Amadeus students, 12:30 p.m.
O’Shaughnessy Center