Great Falls Symphony

05/21/2026

After two years of dedicated searching, 230 applicants, and six fantastic finalists, we're just one day away from announcing the next Music Director of the Great Falls Symphony!

We want to thank you, our audience, for your interest in our candidates and your support of our Search! We have loved introducing all six of them to you this season. Thank you for the hundreds of survey responses, thoughtful comments, and messages in support of the Search and the future of our Symphony.

We couldn't have done it without our sponsors and donors, and of course our six incredible candidates. Thank you, and one final time, will it be Ryan Tani, Fernanda Lastra, Brandon Horrocks, Robert Kahn, Ian Passmore, or Daniel Black? Find out tomorrow.

05/20/2026

After more than a year, the Great Falls Symphonic Choir returns to the spotlight with a standalone performance, Elements of Life.

On June 7 at 3:00 PM, the choir takes the stage at First Congregational United Church of Christ under the direction of Jon Harney and featuring organist Joan Brandvold Schmidt. The concert also honors the legacy of Mary Moore while celebrating the return of a dedicated choral tradition in Great Falls.

From the grandeur of Handel and Bruckner to the haunting beauty of Pärt and Whitacre, the program explores love, faith, grief, joy, and connection through some of the choral repertoire’s most compelling works!

Tickets available now at www.gfsymphony.org/elements-of-life.

05/16/2026

The Search is almost over! Help the Search Committee decide between these six amazing candidates by casting your vote today. Who really suits our symphony best and why? Fill out the survey by Saturday 5/16 to have your vote tallied for your favorite candidate. Take the survey today at https://shorturl.at/Bl4qa.

05/14/2026

Elements of Life with the Great Falls Symphonic Choir
June 7th at 3:00PM
First Congregational United Church of Christ

For the first time since 2024, the Symphonic Choir is excited to bring you a standalone concert. Under the direction of Choir Director, Jon Harney and featuring organist Joan Brandvold Schmidt, the concert also serves as a tribute to Mary Moore and marks the return of a regular dedicated choral performance.

The program explores themes of faith, love, music, and the human experience through a diverse selection of choral works by composers including Handel, Bruckner, Pärt, and Whitacre. Set in an intimate and acoustically rich venue, Elements of Life offers audiences a meaningful and long-awaited opportunity to experience the full sound and expressive range of the Great Falls Symphonic Choir.

Get your tickets today at www.gfsymphony.org/elements-of-life!

05/12/2026

The Search is almost over! Our candidates have each spent a week in Great Falls getting to know the community, our orchestra, Symphonic Choir, Board of Directors, and staff. We have just one question left, who should it be?

Help the Search Committee decide between these six amazing candidates by casting your vote today. Who really suits our symphony best and why? Tell us today by taking our short survey at https://shorturl.at/Bl4qa!

05/07/2026

Celebrate your Mom this Mother's Day with tickets to the Symphony on May 9th! Buy one ticket, and get another 50% off using the code 'MOM' at checkout. Its the perfect way to start off a weekend of pampering for the Moms in your life.

This is the LAST CHANCE to meet one of our candidates before the Search is over and our new Music Director is selected! Get your tickets today at www.gfsymphony.org/daniel-black.

05/04/2026

He has landed! Daniel Black just got to town and is already headed to meet our orchestra and choir. This is your FINAL chance to meet a music director candidate, as Daniel is our sixth candidate to visit.

Don't miss his concert, Renewal, on Saturday with the Great Falls Symphony featuring oboe soloist Dwight Parry. Check out this video where Daniel and Dwight discuss the oboe solo piece "Les Belle Heures" from the upcoming concert!

05/01/2026

Quartet In Bloom- Cascade Quartet
May 1st & 3rd

The Cascade Quartet comes together for its season finale, featuring their newest member, Nathaniel Basa! Nathaniel played on the Beethoven by Candlelight concert in February. We loved him so much we've asked him to stay- and better yet, he said yes! Come and meet him at our upcoming concert TOMORROW!

The concert features Dvořák’s “Slavic Quartet.” The work is full of Bohemian folk flavors and portrays a delightfully ambivalent world where grief and joy are juxtaposed. Celebrate chamber music with us as the our Quartet evolves and grows!

Get your tickets today at www.cascadequartet.org/quartet-in-bloom!

04/30/2026

Our Search is nearly over! Our last candidate is about to fly in and we can't wait.

If you haven't made it to a concert yet this season to see one of our six candidates lead our Symphony Orchestra, this is your LAST CHANCE!

We are so excited to have Music Director Candidate, Daniel Black in Great Falls to present his concert, Renewal, on May 9th. He is joined by oboe soloist Dwight Parry. The concert features Dvorak's 8th Symphony.

If you haven't already, get your tickets today at www.gfsymphony.org/daniel-black!

Experience a powerful evening of drama and beauty with music director candidate Daniel Black. The program features Schumann’s moody “Manfred Overture,” Morlock’s poignant “My Name is Amanda Todd,” and Connesson’s vibrant Oboe Concerto “Les Belles Heures” with soloist Dwight Parry. ...

04/23/2026

Please help us welcome the newest member of the Great Falls Symphony Orchestra and Cascade Quartet, Nathaniel Basa! Nathaniel is joining us as our new Co-Concertmaster and violinist in the Cascade Quartet. You can meet Nathaniel at the upcoming Cascade Quartet concert, Quartet In Bloom on May 1st and 3rd.

Here is a note from Nathaniel about his new position: "I am so happy and honored to have been invited to the position of core member of the Great Falls Symphony as co-concertmaster and violinist with the Cascade Quartet! It is truly exciting and looks like a very promising time to be part of these wonderful ensembles! The process to get here was not easy; going through four different auditions rounds with the last one being in-person rehearsals and live concerts with the Cascade Quartet in Great Falls. What a truly unforgettable and marvelous experience! Being in town for the week preparing for those performances gave me a chance to get to know not only the excellent musicians of the quartet and dedicated staff in the office of the GFS, but people in general around town and the area itself and quite frankly I was enamoured! Without a doubt it was one of the highlights of my playing career. I am so fortunate and thankful for the opportunity to continue in this capacity and very much look forward to contributing to the artistic essence of the region and making a life for my family among the good people of Great Falls! I am thrilled about the upcoming concerts and look forward to seeing you all there!"

Tickets are available at www.cascadequartet.org/quartet-in-bloom.