BOZEMAN – The Bozeman Symphony invites children and families to an engaging American Sign Language Symphony Storytime with Percussion at the Bozeman Public Library on Saturday, Nov. 9, at 10:15 a.m. This interactive event is designed to immerse young audiences in music, instruments, and storytelling, with a special focus on how the deaf and hard of hearing experience music. Children will enjoy a storybook reading complemented by musical interludes played on percussion instruments.

"We connect with many people in our community," said Cierra Wallace, Education and Community Engagement Coordinator for the Symphony. "But this is the first time we’re reaching out to the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community specifically. While children of all abilities are welcome, this program is designed to be especially inclusive and engaging for deaf and hard-of-hearing children."

The free event will feature Bozeman Symphony percussionist Jeffrey Vick alongside co-readers Char Harasymczuk, Montana School for the Deaf and Blind Deaf Mentor, and Riley O’Toole, Montana Shakespeare in the Parks’ Associate Artistic Director, who will bring two beloved storybooks to life. After the stories, Vick will perform a special piece highlighting different percussion instruments and offer children the opportunity to touch and feel the vibrations of the instruments up close. Special thanks to the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind for providing an ASL interpreter for this event. 

Wallace explained that this program has been months in the making, through partnerships with the Bozeman Public Library, the Montana School for the Deaf and the Blind, and Montana Shakespeare in the Parks. "This is a wonderful opportunity for all children to explore the magic of classical music in a creative, hands-on way. Our goal is to inspire a love for music, literacy, and discovery by offering a wide range of stories, cultural experiences, and musical encounters that spark curiosity and imagination," she said.

Mark your calendars for future Symphony Storytime sessions at the Library on Wednesdays, January 15, February 19, March 19, April 23, May 14, and June 4, 2025.

For more information, please visit www.bozemansymphony.org or contact us at 406-585-9774.