About Us
The people behind delivering powerful and memorable musical experiences to Western Montana.

  • Artistic Directors
  • Musicians
  • Staff & Board
  • Mission & History
  • Auditions & Careers
  • Community Impact

Dean Peterson DEAN PETERSON, Chorale Director

Dean Peterson has served as Director of the Missoula Symphony Chorale since 2006. In 2011, he retired from his position as Director of Choirs at Hellgate High School, where he taught for 25 years. He served as interim Director of Choirs at the University of Montana for the 2011–2012 academic year, and has served three years as conductor of the Missoula Mendelssohn Club. He currently works with the College Music Society as Coordinator of Community Outreach and Careers.

Dean received his Bachelor degrees in Music Education and Piano Performance from the University of Montana, and his Masters degree in Music Education with Kodaly emphasis from Holy Names College in Oakland, CA. In 1987 he co-founded the Missoula Youth Choir and co-directed the group in all eight of their performances in the Missoula International Choral Festival.

In 1992 he was selected to sing in the Robert Shaw Choral Workshop and Performance of the Beethoven Missa Solemnis in Carnegie Hall. In 1997 he received a $25,000 National Milken Educator of the Year Award, and in 2004 his Hellgate Chevaliers were selected to perform at the Northwest Convention of the American Choral Directors Association in Boise, Idaho.

Dean was recognized by the National Federation of High Schools as the 2010-2011 Outstanding Music Educator for Montana and the Northwest region. In March 2011, he was named Missoula Arts Educator of the Year by the Missoula Cultural Council and he received the 2011 Distinguished Service Award for the Montana Music Educators Association. In March 2014, Dean was honored by the University of Montana in the annual Odyssey of the Stars. He is a member and past president of the Montana Choral Directors Association, a member of the Montana Music Educators Association, a member of the Board of Directors for the Missoula International Choral Festival. He and his wife, Dorothy have been very active musically in Missoula for over 30 years and are the proud parents of two children: Ross and Elin.

Orchestra

Chorale

Missoula Symphony Staff

 JO MAY SALONEN - Executive Director
 PETER McKENZIE - Director of Operations
 KIRSTEN McGLYNN - Patron Services Coordinator
 BETH WOODY - Development Coordinator
 SYLVIA ALLEN OMAN - Education Coordinator

Board of Directors

  • Jim Valeo, President
  • Julie Tomasik*, Vice President
  • Ben Yonce*, Treasurer
  • Bill Johnston*, Secretary
  • Ed Wetherbee*, Past President
  • Andrew George
  • Deborah Stapley-Graham
  • Mark Haythornthwaite
  • Theresa Johnson
  • Celeste Peterson
  • Jeff Vandergrift

*Executive Committee

Appointed Directors

  • TBD
    Orchestra Representative
  • Robin Kendall
    Chorale Representative

Ex-Officio Directors

  • Jo May Salonen*
    Executive Director
  • TBD
    Music Director
  • Dean Peterson
    Chorale Director

Mission Statement

The mission of the Missoula Symphony Association shall be to assure cultural enrichment essential to the quality of life in the Missoula area by providing live symphonic and choral music of the highest quality. The Symphony shall provide musical growth and development for its performers and the community.

History

The Missoula Symphony Orchestra was organized in 1954 with Eugene Andrie as its founding conductor. The orchestra personnel was comprised of townspeople, University of Montana music faculty members, and U of M students. A Board of Directors was formed, and a constitution and by-laws were adopted. The first concert was performed on April 3, 1955.

In March of 1956, the Missoula Symphony Orchestra was accepted as a member of the American Symphony Orchestra League (now known as the League of American Orchestras). The Missoula Symphony Chorale was organized in 1962 with George Lewis as founding conductor. The Missoula Symphony Association was formed in 1976 and obtained its non-profit 501(c)(3) status that year.

Now celebrating its 65th season, the Association has grown to a current operating budget of over $600,000. It employs a full-time Music Director, a full-time Executive Director, a full-time Director of Operations, a part-time Patron Services Coordinator/Office Assistant, a part-time Development Coordinator, and a part-time Chorale Director. The masterworks season has grown to a five to six concert season, with each concert featuring two performances and the Holiday Pops featuring three. At least seven additional concerts are presented in addition to the masterworks season.

In addition to the regular concert season, the orchestra performs an enormous free outdoor Summer Concert each August in downtown Missoula, performs two Youth Concerts each year for 2,000 fourth grade students from communities within a 100-mile radius of Missoula and presents a wildly popular Family Concert. The Missoula Symphony Chorale performed in Europe at the invitation of choirs in Vienna, Austria in 1991, 1994, 1999 and 2002.

The Missoula Symphony Association continues to grow both artistically and financially as it is now well into its second half-century of progress.

Careers

No positions available at this time.

Auditions

Missoula Symphony Orchestra and Chorale auditions are held annually in late summer/early autumn.

Auditions for the Orchestra’s sub list may be arranged on a case by case basis. Auditions for the Chorale, especially for Male voices, may also be arranged on a case by case basis.

Missoula Symphony Orchestra Auditions 2019-2020

The 2019-2020 Fall orchestra audition date is Wednesday, September 4th starting at 5 pm at the Univerity of Montana Music Building in Room 218.

Audition Requirements & Material:

Missoula Symphony Chorale Auditions 2019-2020

  • Auditions for all new Chorale members will be held on Tuesday, August 27th beginning at 7pm, in Room 205 at the University of Montana Music Building.

To schedule an audition, please use the form field below or call 406-721-3194.

First Name:
 
Last Name:
 
Email Address:
Phone:
 
Instrument or Voice Type:
 


Community Impact

"Youth Concerts"

Youth Concerts

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"Family Concert"

Family Concert

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"Symphony in the Park"

Symphony in the Park

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"Engagement & Education"

Outreach & Education

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