Exploring Music for All Ages with the Billings Symphony

September 1, 2024

by Jessica Renstrom

photos courtesy of Billings Symphony

As Italian composer Gioachino Rossini stated in the early 1800s, this sentiment still rings true today – the universality of music spans generations, bringing joy to the young and young at heart.

Explore Music!

Driven by its mission to enrich lives through music, the Billings Symphony continues to grow Explore Music! its education and community engagement program. Explore Music! consists of various events and programs designed to introduce music to people of all ages throughout Billings and the surrounding communities. "Our free programs spread the love and joy of music to everyone, serving over 37,000 people per year," explains Brad Constantine, General Manager of the Billings Symphony. "We've reached people aged 3 to 103 and everyone in between."

Let's explore some of the ways the Billings Symphony engages with the community, starting with its youngest audience.

Musical Storytime

One of the Symphony's newest Explore Music! programs, Musical Storytime, is designed specifically for children 3-6 years old; however, the program has quickly become a favorite for all ages. During these popular events, an engaging narrator reads children's books aloud while a string quartet plays. Featured at both the Billings and Laurel libraries and the St. John's Center for Generations program, this interactive program combines beloved stories with live music and hands-on learning for young viewers.

Musicians in the Schools

School-aged children love working alongside the professional musicians of the Billings Symphony, and the Symphony provides a variety of ways for children to experience music. "We've gotten into the schools over sixty times this year," states Brad. "Those engagements vary from coaching sessions in sectionals, our maestra or conductors working with ensembles, private music instruction within the schools, and our musicians and guest artists performing."

In addition, the Billings Symphony works closely with area music educators to provide recruitment videos, free dress rehearsal attendance, and instrument demonstrations. Some Symphony musicians even visit the classroom to tell students about their experiences as professional musicians in Montana.

Billings Symphony Youth Orchestra (BSYO)

Previously known as the Billings Youth Orchestra, the BSYO has found its niche within Explore Music! providing the opportunity for young musicians to grow and perform. "We're happy to have the students within our organization," Brad states enthusiastically. Students within the BSYO rehearse weekly with experienced conductors and perform their own concerts biannually while benefiting from workshops with prestigious guest artists and symphony musicians. The BSYO continues to grow with the addition of a high school percussion ensemble this year. These students are learning to read orchestral literature while acquiring fundamental technical experience of the instruments in their section.

Another new addition under the BSYO is the Youth Chamber Project, a four-to-five-week intensive training program for students culminating in a special recital performance. "Students have been delighted about the experience," Brad comments.

Do you know a young musician who may wish to join? The program is open by audition to all students in surrounding counties from preschool through college.

Healing Harmonies

Within the Healing Harmonies program, which was stalled during COVID, musicians visit local hospitals to provide the healing power of music to patients, staff, and visitors. Fortunately, the program has been resurrected and has provided eighty different engagements with Billings Clinic during the 2023/24 season. "Our orchestra musicians will provide short recitals or solo cellists will go to the infusion center while cancer patients receive treatment," describes Brad. "We have 10-15 musicians who work with Healing Harmonies regularly."

Although these musicians are not music therapists, the Billings Symphony is interested in eventually expanding its work with the hospitals to begin partnering with an organization that provides music therapy programs.

Symphony for Seniors

This beloved program provides music for all levels of local senior living, including nursing homes, memory care units, independent living apartments, and assisted living facilities. Visiting symphony musicians can enrich residents' lives through music, whether through a performance or instrument demonstration. One Laurel Health & Rehabilitation Center resident was moved to tears because of the experience: "I didn't know that music like this could make me so happy. I'm sorry to cry, but it's because I'm happy."

Symphony in the Park

This outdoor musical experience for all ages has been an annual summer favorite since 1972. The well-attended event draws an estimated 10,000 people to Pioneer Park each year to enjoy the beautiful music, an "instrument petting zoo," a kid's conducting contest, and various food trucks and beverage vendors.

Tutti Behind Walls

Just as music can benefit all ages, it can also bring joy during all types of life circumstances. Tutti Behind Walls is a well-established program designed to bring music to Montana Women's Prison individuals. The Symphony provides all of the equipment, instruments, and instruction while inmates learn music basics and how to play guitar. "The opportunity to participate in this amazing program of guitars has not only given me a chance to fulfill one of my lifetime goals of learning to play, it's opened my mind and eyes to all the good in the world during the worst time in my life," expresses D.R., a Tutti Behind Walls Student.

Adventures in Music Day

For this special annual event, the Billings Symphony partners with the Billings Public Library to provide a free "instrument petting zoo." Children can try a large array of instruments and hear demonstrations from symphony musicians. Be sure to mark your calendar for this year's event on September 14 from 9:30 - 11:30, with a special musical presentation by the Billings Symphony Principal Strings at 11:30.

Rural Rhythms

For many rural Montana and Wyoming residents, the distance to Billings inhibits them from experiencing a concert with the Billings Symphony or attending other Explore Music! events. In response to this hurdle, Billings Symphony musicians perform for residents in regional small communities that don't often have the opportunity to enjoy live symphonic music. Visits to communities like Roundup, Big Timber, Joliet, and Sheridan, Wyoming, have made the uplifting experience of live music accessible to a wider audience.

These programs and events are just a portion of the offerings within the Billings Symphony's Explore Music! program, and the list will undoubtedly grow as the years go by. "It's one of the most important parts of our symphony orchestra organization," Brad states about the Explore Music! program. I feel really strongly about getting away from our stage and finding as many mission-driven activities as we can to support our community."

No matter your age, the Billings Symphony's dedicated musicians provide many ways to enjoy, participate, and Explore Music! SLM

Originally printed in the September 2024 issue of Simply Local Magazine

Check this article out in the digital issue of Simply Local here!

Jessica Renstrom

Jessica is a Billings local with a background in marketing and a degree in Communications. She loves being a mom and soaking up time with her young children, especially during the holidays! You can catch her feeling festive and listening to Christmas music basically every day in December.

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