Listen, learn, inspire, support

As we prepare for our Spring Concert and Annual Meeting on May 18, I find myself reflecting on what it truly takes to sustain a "musical village" in the heart of the Flathead Valley. At North Valley Music School (NVMS), we often speak about our mission to enrich the community through music, but the reality is that this work is only possible because of four indispensable pillars that hold up our roof. 

First are our faculty and staff. These dedicated professionals are the heartbeat of our school. They don’t just teach notes; they mentor our youth, foster resilience, and provide the high-caliber artistic excellence that makes NVMS a premier institution in Montana. And with this we’d like to welcome our new program director, Taylor Ackely. They inspire. 

Second are our parents and students. Our students bring the spark of curiosity and hard work that fills our halls with sound, while their parents provide the steady support and dedication required to keep the arts a priority in a busy world. They learn. 

Third are our board members and advisors. It takes a massive amount of behind-the-scenes governance, vision, and "boots on the ground" labor to keep a nonprofit thriving. We are deeply grateful for those who donate their time and strategic expertise to ensure our future is secure. They listen. 

Finally, we have our donors and supporters. Whether through the Great Fish Community Challenge or our recent capital campaign, this community has shown us time and again that they believe music is an essential—not optional—part of a healthy society. They support. 

I want to say thank you. We cannot make this work without all four pillars standing together. We invite the entire community to join us at our Spring Concert to see the beautiful results of this collective effort on May 18 at 7 p.m. in the Stack Recital Hall. Don’t forget to check our website for all the exciting concerts coming this spring and summer as well.  Come to listen, learn, inspire and support. 

Deidre Corson is the NVMS executive director and can be reached at northvalleymusicschool.org.