Page 22 - Flathead Beacon // 5.25.16

THE MUSIC ISSUE
North Valley Music School instructor Tina Bertram watches as Isaac Gibbs performs during a recital. GREG LINDSTROM | FLATHEAD BEACON
SIGNATURE CONCERTS
SUMMERTIME TUNES
ABOUND IN THE FLATHEAD VALLEY
SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK
For nearly two decades, North Valley Music School has nurtured the Flathead’s growing musical climate
BY TRISTAN SCOTT
E ntering its 19th year and laying plans for another decade of growth, North Valley Music School in White sh is
reaching its crescendo.
For years the school’s reputation and enroll-
ment have been building, stressing the con nes of its small 1930s-era digs on Spokane Avenue, and sending scores of students into the Flathead Valley’s burgeoning musical climate.
As Montana’s only nonpro t, community music school, North Valley has found its niche, enjoying – and struggling to keep up with – steady enrollment increases in recent years.
Last year, the school served nearly 500 stu- dents, and it now boasts nine faculty members and two administrative sta , almost all with degrees in the subjects they teach, and all of them holding resumes cataloging impressive professional music experience. The school is also hiring a new executive director, and is pre- paring to host the Montana Music Event on June 17, which bene ts the school.
North Valley Music School serves students of all ages through private lessons, early childhood music, performing ensembles, group classes, workshops, master classes and summer camps.
Its mission statement to enrich local commu- nities through music education, appreciation and performance is on full display at regular studio recitals throughout the valley.
One of the faculty members is Christian Johnson, an original member of the Mission Mountain Wood Band and a familiar face in the Flathead Valley live music scene. Johnson is a member of numerous professional bands, but also makes time to teach students guitar, man- dolin, ddle, and electric bass.
In addition to his instructional chops, as a full-time musician Johnson can coach students whose ambitions include exploring music as a career.
Deidre Corson, president of the school’s board of directors, said North Valley Music School is the “feeder program” to many of the Flathead’s most successful cultural treasures, including
Glacier Symphony and Chorale, the White sh Theatre Company and Alpine Theatre Project.
Despite the school’s success, Corson said the goal is always to reach more students, including those in preschool programs as well as seniors who aspire to learn a musical instrument.
“We are always trying to grow and gain expo- sure to broaden our student base,” she said. “After 20 years in a little old Victorian house with a sign out front, we want to be a known entity and a resource for all our aspiring musi- cians to come learn.”
The school’s 15-member board of directors is also seeking volunteers, and Deidre encouraged interested parties to contact the school at (406) 862-8074.
North Valley Music School is supported by the Montana Arts Council, a state agency funded by the State of Montana and the National Endow- ment for the arts, and actively seeks out match- ing challenges and endowments.
Corson said the White sh Community Foun- dation and the Great Fish Community Challenge have also been key resources to help cover oper- ational costs.
“We are located in an amazing community and have an inspiring group of people who are behind our mission,” Corson said. “We are excited for growth and to continue to reach out to new students.”
[email protected]
JUNE 23-JUNE 24
USAF ACADEMY BAND
Kalispell & Polson
As part of its national tour, the U.S. Air Force band will perform two free concerts in North- west Montana. The 45-member ensemble,
a summer concert band made up of active duty personnel, will perform at Glacier
High School in Kalispell on June 23 and at Polson High School the following night. Both concerts will begin at 7 p.m. The 90-minute performances are free, but tickets for the Kalispell show are available at Snappy Sport Senter.
JULY 8-JULY 9
SUMMER SYMPHONY POPS
Kalispell
Glacier Symphony will join with jazz trumpeter Byron Stripling to perform What a Wonderful World, his electrifying and heartfelt tribute to Louis Armstrong for the annual Summer Symphony Pops concerts. The outdoor picnic-concert will be held
rain or shine at Rebecca Farm that will be transformed into a music venue with full stage lighting and sound on an acoustically dynamic sound shell stage. Stripling’s show is lauded as America’s most popular orchestral pops program. With his engaging rapport, jazzy vocals and virtuosic trumpet sounds, Stripling dazzles audiences wher- ever he goes.
Gates will open at 5:30 p.m. for the 7:30 p.m. concerts and patrons are encouraged to bring a picnic or buy food and libations from vendors on site.
Reserve tickets at www.gscmusic.org or by calling the GSC box o ce, (406) 407-7000.
JULY 10 & JULY 31
LIVE! IN LAKESIDE
Lakeside
The West Shore Visitors Bureau is hosting two evenings of live music at the amphithe- atre behind the Lakeside Town Center. The lineup will be announced soon and check back at visit atheadlake.com for more details.
AUGUST 8-14
FESTIVAL AMADEUS
White sh & Bigfork
Cap your summer with a week of music when Montana’s only week-long summer classical music festival kicks o . Once again, Festival Amadeus will feature an engaging lineup of highly acclaimed musicians who perform with the orchestra and in more intimate chamber concerts. Glacier Symphony and Chorale produces the festival under the ba- ton of John Zoltek. Three chamber concerts, featuring the festival guest artists, will be
held concurrently in the village of Bigfork, on Flathead Lake on Aug. 9 -11. All White sh concerts will be held at the White sh Performing Arts Center starting at 7:30 pm. Bigfork concerts will be held in Saint John Paul II Catholic Church at 7:30 pm.
For complete concert information and to buy tickets and ticket packages visit the website www.gscmusic.org or call (406) 407-7000.
AUGUST 17-21
NORTHWEST MONTANA FAIR & RODEO
Kalispell
Although this year’s top performer has not yet been announced, it’s worth marking this event on your calendar. The fair is a peren- nial favorite for many reasons, including the rodeo, carnival rides and 4H entries. But the concert is annually one of the best events in town. Previous top acts have included the Oak Ridge Boys, and this year’s big performer remains a mystery, although the date is set for Aug. 17 at 7:30 p.m.
For more information, visit nwmtfair.com.
AUGUST 19-20
FLATHEAD LAKE BLUES FESTIVAL
Polson
With the sprawling waters of Flathead Lake in the backdrop, this blues festival is a favor- ite summertime gathering. This year’s lineup of artists is still in the works, but follow atheadlakebluesfestival.com for a listing.
AUGUST 24-SEPT. 4
CROWN OF THE CONTINENT GUITAR FESTIVAL
Bigfork
In its seventh year, the Crown of the Continent Guitar Festival is truly a world- class musical experience. This event draws talented artists from around the world for a workshop and festival unlike anything else in Montana. Scheduled to perform this year are rock/songwriter legend, Jim Messina and his band; Grammy-winner Dweezil Zappa, son
of Frank Zappa; Jazz fusion prodigy Julian Lage; Chris Eldridge of the Punch Brothers; Nashville recording legend Brent Mason; gypsy jazz artists Gonzalo Bergara and Max O’Rourke; country singer/songwriter Liz Longley; Lee Ritenour who will be returning for his seventh-straight year; rocker Shane Theriot; SoloDuo, the Italian classical duo of Matteo Mela and Lorenzo Micheli; and Andy Aledort, Guitar World and Rock pedagogue.
More artists are still being signed. These artists will be featured in special workshop clinics and all will perform onstage at various times during the week of the Crown Guitar Festival.
For more information, visit crownguitarfest. org.
THE MONTANA MUSIC EVENT
WHAT: The Montana Music Event, featuring Mike Murray’s “Bury Me In Montana,” World class Montana photography and the North Valley Music School Glee Club.
WHEN: June 17, 7-9 p.m.
WHERE: O’Shaughnessy Center, 1 Central Ave,
White sh
For more information: (406) 862-8074
22
MAY 25, 2016 // FLATHEADBEACON.COM