Big Sky Troubadours and Glacier Symphony blend Nashville storytelling with orchestra music in ‘Songwriters & the Symphony'

Big Sky Troubadours and the Glacier Symphony bring two musical worlds together for “Songwriters & the Symphony,” a one-of-a-kind evening featuring Nashville songwriters Wynn Varble, Brice Longand Jo Smith alongside select Glacier Symphony musicians. 

The Sept. 17 event will bring the intimate storytelling and raw emotion of a Nashville songwriter round together with the sweeping sound of a live symphony orchestra. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the Glacier Symphony, supporting its continued mission of bringing exceptional orchestral music and cultural experiences to the community. 

“You know the songs. Now meet the people who wrote them and hear them in a way you've never heard them before,” Big Sky Troubadours founder Jo Smith said. “There is something incredibly special about taking a song that was born with a guitar and a voice and giving it an entirely new life through the sound of a symphony.” 

The evening will feature songs, stories, and behind-the-scenes moments from the writers themselves, exploring the relationship between songwriting and orchestral music, offering audiences an intimate look at the people and experiences behind some of country music's most memorable songs. 

The songwriters-in-the-round format has long been a Nashville tradition, giving audiences the opportunity to hear hit songs stripped back to their original form while listening to the stories that inspired them. Songwriters & the Symphony takes that tradition one step further. 

Acclaimed songwriter Varble has written numerous country hits recorded by artists such as Lee Ann Womack, Chris Stapleton and Brad Paisley. Long is a celebrated songwriter and performer whose songs have been recorded by artists including George Strait and Gary Allan. Smith is a recording artist and songwriter who has toured nationally and continues to build a community around songwriting and live music in Montana. 

Together, the writers will share the songs as they were originally imagined while collaborating with the symphony to create an experience that bridges country and classical music and classical performance. 

“We're proud to partner with the Glacier Symphony for an evening that celebrates the incredible talent we have both onstage and behind the scenes,” said Smith. “Supporting the symphony means supporting music, education, and the arts right here in our community.” 

“Songwriters & the Symphony” is part of Big Sky Troubadours' ongoing mission to bring exceptional songwriters and musicians to Montana while creating unique live experiences that connect audiences with the stories behind the music. 

The show starts at 7 p.m. at the O'Shaughnessy Center, 1 Central Ave., Whitefish. Tickets are $58.86, which includes service fees and may be purchased at bigskytroubadours.com. 

    Brice Long
  

    Jo Smith