Symphony moves its music outdoors

You know that summer has truly arrived in the Flathead Valley when the music moves outdoors. Glacier Symphony and Chorale kicks off its summer music season with not one, but three outdoor concerts scheduled during the month of July in Bigfork, Kalispell and Whitefish.

Each concert will be accompanied by the “Virtuoso Violins” art auction, a  display of 11 hand-painted and sculpted violins designed by 12 prominent Montana artists who offered their creative talents in support of the symphony and chorale’s 30th anniversary. The violins will be on display at all three concerts, and both silent and written bids will be accepted.

The first outdoor music event is a Pops Night Fundraiser in Bigfork Friday, July 6.

The event at Harbor Village Pavilion starts at 6:30 p.m. with a free barbecue and wine-tasting for those who purchase raffle tickets.

The special event begins with a barbecue and wine tasting of select Northwest wines from Oregon and Washington and is free for those purchasing raffle tickets. Case purchases will include a donation back to the symphony and chorale.

The raffle grand prize this year is a $10,000 musical cruise along the Rhine River in Europe. The winner can also create a vacation of his choice or take a cash prize.

Tickets are $100 each or six for $500. Second and third prizes are for cash awards. An early-bird drawing will be made over the weekend with a $500 instant cash prize.

The “Virtuoso Violins” will be unveiled that evening, and the performance begins at 7:30 p.m.

The Summer Symphony Pops at Rebecca Farm near Kalispell is scheduled for Saturday, July 7.

Bring a picnic, lawn chairs, blankets and the whole family for this informal evening of contemporary classical music.

Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and entry fee is $25 in advance or $30 per car at the gate, so invite some friends to join in the fun. Vendors will offer a variety of foods, plus beer and wine for sale.

At the 7:30 p.m. concert, the Glacier Symphony will perform an entertaining program of light symphonic music, including the energetic “Light Cavalry Overture,” “The Pirates of Penzance Overture,” “Pops Hoedown,” “Oh Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie,” “Salute to the Big Bands” and John Williams’ “Olympic Spirit.” Movie music from “Robin Hood,” “The Pink Panther” and “Titanic” will also be featured, as well as patriotic selections.

The Festival Amadeus open air orchestra concert is scheduled for July 22.

This free concert features violinist, Tim Fain as guest soloist with the Festival Amadeus Orchestra.

The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. on the newly acquired Great Northern sound shellstage. Maestro John Zoltek will lead the orchestra in a selection of works by Beethoven, Dvorak, Kreisler, Rossini, Saint-Saens and Mozart.

Gates open at 6 p.m. Bring a picnic, lawn chairs and blankets or purchase food, wine and beer that will be available from vendors

On July 23, the Virtuoso Violins and Vino art auction finale will culminate in a wine tasting, silent and live auction and party as part of the Festival Amadeus festivities. Tickets for the final event held at the O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish are $25, or $10 for Festival Amadeus pass buyers.

Those who can’t make it to an event but still want to bid on a violin may download a written bid form on the Glacier Symphony and Chorale website, which also features photos of all the violins. Forms must be submitted by noon June 23.

Get tickets to and additional information about these events online at www.gscmusic.org or by phone at 257-3241.