Why Support The Symphony?

Since 1954, Western Montanans have eagerly anticipated the Missoula Symphony Association’s concerts, from classical music to our Holiday Pops, Symphony in the Park, Family Concert and annual Youth Concerts for over 2,000 area 4th graders. In recent years, attendance has more than doubled and many shows have sold out!

How Can I Support The Symphony?

No matter how you support the Missoula Symphony Orchestra and Chorale – concert sponsorships, program ads, event marketing or a tailored plan – you enjoy valuable recognition and benefits.

Learn How...

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Sponsorship

Highlights: Recognition in programs and on our website, plus complimentary tickets and other benefits.

Season:

$10,000

Concert:

$3,000 - $6,000

Guest Artist:

$2,500

Principal Chair:

$1,250 - $2,500

Membership

Highlights: Recognition in all concert program, plus complimentary tickets and other benefits and the highest donor levels.

Maestro:

$25,000+

Conductor:

$5,000 - $24,999

Sponsor:

$1,000 - $4,999

Benefactor:

$600 - $999

Contributor:

$450 - $599

Patron:

$250 - $499

Associate:

$100 - $249

Member:

$50 - $99

Montana Suzuki Institute

Support our annual week-long summer institute providing violin and cello instruction to children of all ages. Click here for more details.

License Plates

Show your love of symphonic music around town by purchasing a Montana Association of Symphony Orchestras custom license plate. The plates are now available from your county Department of Motor Vehicles. The money raised from the sale of the license plates supports our Montana orchestras. For more information, contact the Missoula Symphony office at (406) 721-3194.

Planned Giving

ENDOWMENT GIVING: The Missoula Symphony Association has a permanent endowment to provide financial stability for decades into the future.  Under Montana law, a contribution to our endowment can benefit you with a very generous tax credit.

BEQUESTS: We also accept gifts in the form of bequests.  Please consider naming the Missoula Symphony Association in your will and/or trust.

For more information on leaving a cultural legacy, contact Jo May Salonen at (406) 721-3194.

Custom Support

Tailor a program that provides meaningful and measurable benefits for you. We are always open to a conversation to craft a sponsorship program that reflects your company’s or your individual interests and advances your community involvement strategies. Contact our Executive Director, Jo May Salonen, and discuss opportunities and ideas. Call (406) 721-3194 or Click Here to send her an email.

Play A Part In The Missoula Symphony Orchestra and Chorale

The Missoula Symphony Association is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, federal tax ID #81-0290730. All donations are 100% tax-deductible.

Note: Click on the Donate Now button below and you will be taken to the Missoula Symphony Donor Login page. Here you can login with your existing username and password or create a new account.

Why Volunteer

Volunteering for the MSA is a meaningful way to support our organization. Your involvement helps us provide profound musical experiences for our community and region. Volunteering is also a great way to have fun, meet great people, and listen to great music!

Benefits of Volunteering

In addition to feeling great about playing your part in making the music happen, our volunteers often have access to select performances and rehearsals at which they are working. This is dependent upon the volunteer position, timing, and space available at the event or concert. Also, we end each concert season with an appreciation party to thank our volunteers and celebrate their hard work and effort. This is also when we recognize and present the Volunteer of the Year Award!

2019 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: JONATHAN QUALBEN

Want To Play Your Part?

Please complete the following form to let us know how you want to get involved. Check the box of any or all of the areas in which you are willing to help.

The Missoula Symphony Scholarship Fund

Continuing the grand tradition of the Missoula Symphony Guild, the Missoula Symphony Scholarship Fund is dedicated to providing scholarships for outstanding University of Montana music students who play in the Missoula Symphony Orchestra or sing in the Missoula Symphony Chorale. This year, the Missoula Symphony Association will award a total of $6,500 in scholarships to five talented young musicians. This commitment is possible thanks to the generosity of our Scholarship Fund donors. Every penny contributed to the Scholarship Fund goes directly to scholarships.

Become a Member

Click Here for Membership Form

2018-19 Scholarships

• The Florence Reynolds Scholarship
  
  
  • Named for an outstanding woman who shared her musical talent and other energy with the Missoula Symphony Association for many years, this scholarship is awarded to a U.M. undergraduate or graduate music major with exceptional talent on a string instrument who is a regular member of the orchestra.
    
    
  • 2018-19 Recipient: Max Grimmsmann, viola

• The Past President Scholarship
  
  
  • Named in honor of those women who have given their time and energy as President of the Missoula Symphony Guild through the years, this scholarship is given to an undergraduate or graduate music major who is a regular member of the orchestra. This scholarship is normally awarded for a two-year period.
    
    
  • 2018-19 Recipient: David Harmsworth, violin

• The Virginia Vinal Scholarship
  
  
  • Upon the occasion of the Symphony’s 60th Anniversary, this scholarship is named in honor of Virginia Vinal, the longest-serving member of the orchestra, and her dedication to music and community. This scholarship is normally awarded for a two-year period.
    
    
  • 2018-19 Recipient: Emily Rogers, violin

• The Joseph Henry Scholarship
  
  
  • Named in honor of our Music Director Emeritus, who retired in 2007 after 21 years as Music Director of the Missoula Symphony Orchestra, this scholarship is given to an undergraduate or graduate music major who is a regular member of the orchestra or chorale.
    
    
  • 2018-19 Recipient: Lea Tonnerre Jr., viola

• The Donald Carey Scholarship
  
  
  • Named in honor of our past Chorale Director, who retired in 2006 after 18 years in his post, this scholarship is given to an undergraduate or graduate music major who is a regular member of the orchestra or chorale.
    
    
  • 2018-19 Recipient: Will Hunt, violin

• The Lorraine Andrie Prize
  
  
  • Not a scholarship, but a cash prize, this award is given at the final concert of each season to a U.M. graduating senior who has been a truly outstanding and dedicated member of the orchestra. Named for one of the founding leaders of the Guild, the winner of the Lorraine Andrie Prize is voted on by the U.M. music faculty with recommendations made by the MSA Music Director.
    
    
  • 2018 Recipient: Britta Thomas, cello
    
    

Community Impact

"Youth Concerts"

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"Family Concert"

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"Symphony in the Park"

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"Engagement & Education"

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Youth Concerts

Every year, the Missoula Symphony Orchestra performs two Youth Concerts for thousands of children from approximately 40 different schools from all across Western Montana.

“I liked when you pretended the instruments were safari animals.”

3rd grader at Hot Springs Elementary

“I like the harp because it had a cool sound.”

4th grader at Drummond Elementary

“This was the best field trip ever, I like the costumes.”

4th grader at Hellgate Elementary

“Ingenious with introducing fantastic music with humor... Students are engaged with the entire concert, which is a whole lot of fun!”

Pam Hillygus, MCPS Music Teacher

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Family Concert

We present an annual family concert replete with costumes, stage props, and an entertaining and educational script sure to humor all ages. These are sell-out concerts serving nearly 1,200; mostly children and their families. We even include a coloring contest for the kids!

“The Family concerts remind me of a Pixar movie – the kids and the grownups are laughing their heads off, but at completely different things. They're great at making it SO fun for the kids, but slipping some adult humor in there too. It's a true family concert”

2013 audience member

“My kids will still be talking about it and saying ‘remember when...’ for months afterwards. It's a true gift for the community, and I love the fact that the kids don't even recognize that it's a learning tool. It's like sneaking pureed vegetables into spaghetti.”

2013 audience member

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Symphony in the Park

The second Sunday of August for the past ten years has been a magical evening in Missoula, as the Missoula Symphony Orchestra presents our gift back to our community – our annual FREE outdoor concert Symphony in the Park. Caras Park, in the heart of downtown Missoula on the banks of the Clark Fork River, fills to capacity each summer as thousands of families flock to enjoy an evening of light classics, pops and movie themes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“It was very special to be near a flowing river on a warm sunny evening with gorgeous mountains as the background to incredibly powerful music. So Missoula!”

Tina Shields, First time attendee at Symphony in the Park 2012

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Outreach & Education

The Missoula Symphony Association takes a holistic approach to Outreach and Education. Not only do we visit school music classrooms, but we visit history and science classrooms and read books to early grades. We visit rural schools across the region, some that have orchestra programs, most that don’t. Our Music Director teaches classes for adult and continuing education programs and our Executive Director lectures regularly for the Venue & Event Management program at The University of Montana. And, local service clubs are treated to presentations from the Missoula Symphony Association several times a year. We are proud to present the Montana Suzuki Institute, a one-week summer institute providing violin and cello instruction to children of all ages, as well as teacher training. We also present several related events and group classes throughout the year through our Suzuki program. Our Outreach and Education programs reach out to our entire community and region.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“The MSO is a major force in the cultural life of Missoula, not only through its concerts but in many other ways as well. For several years, the Montana Osher Lifelong Learning Institute has been treated to a wonderful series of special lectures that reflect Darko's infectious enthusiasm, passion and knowledge. The MSO is a treasure for us all.”

Herbert Swick

“Darko has excited young students with age-appropriate and relevant lessons about his profession and made symphony music interesting through his humor and infectious passion for this art form. He has been in my classroom and has brought my students to the stage to see live performances. Now these students listen with more intent to classical music examples I present in class and offer up their own insight and ask intriguing questions that demonstrate a deeper hunger for knowledge of orchestral music.”

Renie Gibson, music teacher at Rattlesnake Elementary School

“Downbeat DownLow is so interactive because Darko encourages audience participation by asking questions. I learn something every time I go.”

Missoula Symphony Patron

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