In this era of social distancing, wearing masks, and folks staying home to stay safe, the music-making of the Helena Symphony is more important now than ever. Over 3,000 people attended last week’s HomeStream Your Helena Symphony presented by AARP Montana Opening Night concert. The Symphony is still ON with its upcoming Virtual Soiree fundraiser, Thursday, October 1, 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Currently, only a quarter of the Symphony’s nearly $1 million budget is generated through concert ticket sales. The Symphony relies on the generosity of sponsorships and donations from individuals and corporations. The City of Helena continues to be recognized as the “best small arts community” in the nation, the Helena Symphony remains one of the oldest and most active performing arts organizations in Montana.
The funds raised on the Virtual Soiree go directly to continue the music-making for the online concerts that are live broadcasts to thousands of people in the region who need music for spiritual, emotional, and mental comfort in addition to keeping the importance of arts in their life during these trying times.
“It’s time to celebrate the healing power of music,” explains Music Director Allan R. Scott. “We are not trying to duplicate or replicate the concert hall experience but innovate the experience of our music-making. The Helena Symphony was created for these very difficult times. Our music-making exists to literally save lives and to promote the spiritual and emotional well-being of our people. Despite the very different format, we will strive to continue to make lives better through music.”
The Helena Symphony announced a revised 2020-2021 Season – Season 66 – Part One: Reimagined and Streaming ONline. Branded as “It’s ON!,” the Helena Symphony is proud to bring music to the community and throughout the state. Following months of collaboration with the County health officials and reviewing international studies on the impacts of instrumental performance and singing, we decided that offering a livestream into people’s homes is the ideal way to bring our music-making into the lives of our community in an innovative and safe way.
Virtual Soiree
In addition to several exclusive performances by members of the Helena Symphony Orchestra – along with a surprise performance by a special, world renowned guest – the event features moving testimonials about the Symphony and live and silent auction items that will open up to bidders on September 26.
Live auction items include:
Maestro For a Day – YOU get to conduct the HSO, train with Maestro Scott, and receive one of his batons
Private Soiree in YOUR Home – a world-renowned performs in your home with you and your guests
Custom artwork by nationally noted artist Josh Elliott
Dinner with the Maestro – Music Director Allan R. Scott prepares a 7-course meal for you and 5 others
in his home in Reeders Village along with a private soiree with the Maestro and the Concertmaster
Red Carpet Experience at Montana TING – tickets to the exclusive Benefit Concert at Montana Ting
AND two nights at the luxury estate
Silent auctions include something for everyone so check out our website for more details on each item.
There is no charge to attend the Virtual Soiree and it is easily accessibly at helenasymphony.org/soiree. Simply register, signing up with your name and email address to see all the auction items and participate in the event. The live program can be viewed on a smart phone, tablet, laptop and desktop computers and will start at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 1st – helenasymphony.org/soiree.