North Valley Music School's youth symphony spring concert March 17
The Flathead Valley Youth Symphony will perform a Spring Concert at 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 17 at Flathead High School in Kalispell.
The FVYS is a new program from North Valley Music School, a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching Montana communities through music education, appreciation and performance.
The program provides an accessible symphony orchestra experience for all students in the area, including homeschooled students who previously had no other options to ply their talents or interests. The youth symphony is composed of over sixty young musicians ages 12-18 who come from surrounding schools including Bigfork, Columbia Falls, Kalispell, Somers, West Glacier and Whitefish.
The symphony is directed by Eric Holdhusen, a Whitefish High School graduate and a North Valley Music School alumni. Holdhusen excelled in band and orchestra programs and his passion for instrumental ensembles inspired him to pursue a bachelor of music. He currently is Flathead Valley High School’s director of orchestras.
Most communities in Montana with AA high schools have a youth symphony, but the Flathead Valley has only had community orchestras until the creation of the FVYS. Along with strings it includes brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments, an important distinction that sets the symphony apart from existing high school orchestra programs that focus exclusively on string ensembles.
“By increasing access to high quality music education, we are developing the future of classical music for decades to come,” said Deidre Corson, executive director of NVMS. “The concept and desire for a local youth symphony has been around for many years now and with Mr. Holdhusen at the helm, it was a perfect launch in the Fall of 2023. The winter concert was a huge success. We hope everyone can attend this spring concert and be amazed at the level of talent in the valley.”
The concert begins at 4 p.m. at the Flathead High School auditorium. There is a $10 suggested donation with proceeds going to support the NVMS Scholarship Fund.
For more information about music education programs in the area and/or to make a tax-deductible donation to support the FVYS, one can visit northvalleymusicschool.org/scholarships. Prospective applicants with questions can email info@northvalleymusicschool.org or call 406-862-8074.