The Bozeman Symphony Orchestra ended the summer on a high note, headlining the 45th Annual Sweet Pea Festival of the Arts. This unforgettable performance, featuring Denver-based indie band DeVotchKa, brought thousands of community members, younger and older, together to celebrate symphonic music on a grand scale.

As Music Director Norman Huynh looked into the vast crowd from the Sweet Pea’s main stage, he saw families, friends, and strangers dancing to well-known classical favorites with wide-tooth grins on their faces. It’s magical moments like this that remind us of the power of live performance and time shared together.

“Sweet Pea was a wonderful opportunity for the Bozeman Symphony Orchestra to be more ingrained and visible in our community,” says Huynh. “Through this visibility, my hope is that we have more people who are aware of the BSO and will come to experience our upcoming season.”

Your Ticket to a Vibrant Musical Journey

As summer comes to a sweet close, the Bozeman Symphony Orchestra ramps up for its momentous 55th Anniversary season, full of revolutionary masterpieces, new contemporary works, dynamic world premieres, and virtuosic guest artists. This historic season is already breaking records with more than 900 Bozeman Symphony subscribers, people who purchased tickets to all six Classical Series performances for the upcoming season.

This groundbreaking success is due to the tremendous support the Bozeman community has for its arts organizations, from longtime residents to newcomers. More than 25% of Bozeman Symphony subscribers for the upcoming season are doing so for the first time. This speaks to the innovative programming from Music Director Huynh, who drew in these new audiences at popular performances like Sweet Pea, and its sold-out John Williams: 90th Birthday Bonanza concert in June 2022. Music Director Huynh is thrilled to welcome the Bozeman Symphony’s steadfast supporters and all the new faces to the Willson Auditorium this upcoming season.


Opening Weekend to a Momentous Season

The wait is over, the Bozeman Symphony Orchestra’s 2022/23 concert season kicks off this month on September 24 and 25 for Opening Weekend: Beethoven’s 5th & Akiho. Come celebrate the start of the season with the most iconic four notes in music history during Beethoven’s awe-inspiring Symphony No. 5. Recognized by most, classical music buff or first-time symphony goer, this piece has come to represent the very essence of classical music itself.

“Beethoven’s 5th Symphony contains arguably the most famous opening in music history, ‘Da Da Da DUMMM.’ Hearing the symphony in its entirety, the journey from dark to light, can be a transformative experience for the listener. It is a piece of music that will inspire a lifelong curiosity and passion for classical music,” says Huynh.

In addition to Beethoven’s iconic master work, the Bozeman Symphony Orchestra will welcome Grammy-nominated composer Andy Akiho to the stage for his piece, Concerto for Steel Pans and Orchestra. Rarely do you find a steel pan featured with the symphony, but Akiho does it with expert precision and mesmerizing intensity. This performance will mark the Montana premiere of this dynamic and eclectic piece.

“Andy Akiho is currently one of the world’s most in demand composers. He is a force of nature and has an incredible sense of rhythm and sound. He is equally at home as a performer and on the steel pan as his instrument of choice,” says Huynh. “The sounds created by the steel pan, along with the orchestra, is unique and our community has the opportunity to experience this rare treat.”

More Excitement to Come

Beyond the first performance, there is much to look forward to throughout the Bozeman Symphony Orchestra’s 55th Anniversary season. For each Classical Series performance, Music Director Norman Huynh has paired blockbuster hits from the greatest composers of all time—Tchaikovsky, Mozart, and Mahler—with new works from Missy Mazzoli, Composer-in-Residence Scott Lee, and beloved local composer Eric Funk.

On top of amazing musical programming, the Bozeman Symphony Orchestra will once again feature world-class soloists from around the globe like Pablo Sáinz-Villegas, Michael Sheppard, Janai Brugger, and many more.

In addition to the Classical Series performances, the Bozeman Symphony Presents its second annual Holiday Spectacular. After two sold-out shows last season, the Symphony added a third performance for all to experience the spirit of the Christmas season. Bring the whole family to this must-attend holiday concert featuring the Bozeman Symphonic Choir and Broadway star vocalist Tamar Greene.

Join the Bozeman Symphony this Historic Season

The Bozeman Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Huynh can’t wait to share this momentous season with all of you. The performing arts are a vital part of the cultural fabric that makes Southwest Montana a desirable place to live, work, and play. It has been said, “people move to Bozeman for the mountains, and stay for the arts.” This sentiment rings true for the Bozeman Symphony, as its audience continues to grow each season, more diverse than the season before.

If you haven’t experienced a Bozeman Symphony performance before, now is your chance to purchase a ticket to a vibrant musical journey you won’t forget. Join the Bozeman Symphony this September 2022 through June 2023 for its unforgettable 55th Anniversary Season.

Purchase concert tickets at bozemansymphony.org