The Experience

The 2025 Montana Youth Symphony will take place in Billings, MT July 28-August 3, 2025.

July 28: Musicians arrive at MSU-Billings and check into dorms. The orchestra begins rehearsal that evening.

July 29-August 1: Musicians rehearse at MSU-Billings, with full orchestra rehearsals led by Maestro Gordon Johnson and sectionals led by professional Montana musicians.

August 1-2: The orchestra travels via coach buses to Jackson Hole, WY to visit the Grand Teton Music Festival. The MYS will work in sectionals with members of the Grand Teton Music Festival Orchestra and attend one of their concerts. MYS musicians rehearse on the GTMF stage with Sir Donald Runnicles.

August 3: The 2025 Montana Youth Symphony performs at 3pm at the Alberta Bair Theater in Billings, MT.

Throughout the week: additional activies such musician health and wellness classes, guest artist recitals, and chamber music rehearsals and performances will be scheduled.

Audition

Audition materials are now available! Please visit our Audition page.

Interested participants will need to complete an application form and upload their audition materials to this website. Candidates will be notified of their status mid April 2025.

Membership

The Montana Youth Symphony is intended for current and former students of Montana schools (including home-schooled students) and universities. The orchestra members will be teens and young adults.

Participants do not need to currently reside in Montana.

This program is free to all participants! Students receive a stipend and travel assistance.