On Wednesday, April 19, at 1:00 p.m. in the Helena Civic Center, the Helena Symphony Orchestra will perform its
annual youth concert for fourth and fifth grade students from regional elementary schools. In addition to the
elementary schools from the Helena School District, students from St. Andrew School, Radley Elementary School in East
Helena, Elliston, and Avon will be attending this concert for fourth and fifth graders.
In addition to the support from all the attending schools, the Symphony is grateful for the generous support from the
Helena School District, the Helena Music Teachers Association, Jimmy John’s Sandwiches, Blue Cross Blue Shield of
Montana, Marilyn Hudson, Dr. Tom Strizich, Farmers State Bank, First Interstate Bank, A2Z Staffing Solutions,
Browning, Kaleczyc, Berry & Hoven, BestMed Urgent Care, St. Peter’s Health, the Helena Area Community Foundation,
the City of Helena, the Town Pump Charitable Foundation, Humanities Montana, and the National Endowment for the
Humanities.
This year the Helena Symphony is partnering with the internationally acclaimed Classical Kids Live Symphony Concert
Series to present Gershwin’s Magic Key. This new concert tells the story of a chance meeting on the streets of New York
City between a poor newspaper boy and the great American composer George Gershwin. The HSO magically weaves
Gershwin’s greatest hits into the drama as the master composer shares historical anecdotes about his life and musical
passion. A bonding friendship develops as they explore the vast melting pot of American music and discover the key to
unlocking the boy’s own musical potential.
“Our Annual Youth Concert is showcasing the rhythmic music of the great American composer George
Gershwin,” say Helena Symphony Education Coordinator, Anna Milburn. “Students from around the state will get to
experience a story about unlocking their own musical potential through Gershwin’s Magic Key, a story about a young
newspaper boy in 1920’s New York City who has a chance encounter with George Gershwin. Together, they travel around
the city and Gershwin shares exciting things about his life, resulting in sharing some of his own musical inspiration and
discovering the boy has musical talent. We are thrilled to get to share some musical inspiration with our Montana students
and hope they too will get inspired to unlock their own talents!”
“From actors, costumes, lighting, and the orchestra musicians, this is an educational, fun, and entertaining concert for students, and we are thrilled to continue the Symphony’s educational efforts,” says Music Director Allan R. Scott. “The Youth Concert programs are designed specifically for the music education of fourth and fifth graders. The Youth Concert also seeks to make a lasting impact on the fourth and fifth grade students before they enter middle school where they hopefully will participate in orchestra, band, or chorus.”
END.
Newspaper, television, and online reporters are welcomed to attend the concert. Maestro Allan R. Scott, actors, and musicians are available for interviews before or after the concert. The concert is 1:00-2:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 19 at the Helena Civic Center.