Carroll College and the Helena Symphony today announce their continued collaboration for the 15th annual Helena Community Credit Union SYMPHONY UNDER THE STARS event. They also welcome the Helena Community Credit Union as its major sponsor. The concert on Saturday, July 21 at 8:30 p.m. includes a fireworks finale, also sponsored by the Helena Community Credit Union. Considered the largest summer event in Montana, the much-anticipated SYMPHONY UNDER THE STARS attracts over 17,000 people from all over the state of Montana and beyond.
This year’s concert features the spectacular film scores of award-winning John Williams for the movies of the Star Wars saga. Musical excerpts from all eight movies will be presented by the Helena Symphony Orchestra & Chorale.
The Carroll College Guadalupe Hill is closed to the public until Friday afternoon at 5:00 p.m., at which time concertgoers may drop off lawn chairs and blankets. Early blanket placement is allowed from 3:00-5:00 p.m. on Friday with a $5/blanket cash donation to the Boy Scouts, who will be on site providing security. It is highly recommended that those planning to attend from outside of the Helena area should make arrangements with friends/family to claim their spots on Friday! Pets, plastic tarps, paint, rocks or stakes are strictly prohibited on the lawn at all times.
An instrument “petting zoo” will be presented by the Helena Music Teachers Association, along with Piccolo’s Music, late Saturday afternoon prior to the concert, and offers “children” of all ages to get up close and personal with a variety of musical instruments. Picnic dinners are encouraged, and there will be a variety of local vendors on site selling food and beverages. Merchandise, including t-shirts and this year’s art print by local illustrator Connie Bergum, will be available at a booth near the vendors.
Concertgoers are encouraged to bring non-perishable or canned goods to hold down blankets, and then donate the canned goods to the Helena Food Share. Last year, over 17,000 pounds of food were collected and is one of the largest single day food collections for the Helena Food Share. There will be several drop boxes to deposit the canned goods during the evening of the concert.
More information can be found online at www.facebook.com/SymphonyUnderTheStars, or www.symphonyunderthestars.com.