The Missoula Symphony Association is a beloved staple in Missoula's arts community, bringing outstanding symphonic music to our town since 1954. Locals wait all year for annual favorites like the Holiday Pops! concert, and visitors gain a glimpse into the raw talent and creativity living in Montana's arts and culture hub.
There's nothing quite like seeing live, symphonic music in person, but the Missoula Symphony had to improvise in the face of COVID-19. As the entire community, country and world pressed pause on live events in 2020, the Missoula Symphony worked tirelessly to create their first-ever virtual season. Through the outpour of community support, Missoula's devotion to the arts, and a whole lot of creative problem solving, they were able to hold a successful season of streamed concerts.
After a difficult but inspirational virtual season, the Missoula Symphony is thrilled to be making a triumphant return to live music in their 2021-2022 season, alongside their new music director—Julia Tai.
Tai was the final pick of five candidates, making her the first female music director of the Missoula Symphony Orchestra. Her new role officially began in 2020, but Tai's first in-person performance didn't come until her live debut at the Symphony in the Park concert in August of 2021.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to call Missoula my new home and celebrate life, music, and togetherness with you all,” Tai said.
The Missoula Symphony's 2021-2022 has an exciting lineup of concerts in store, starting with their season opener—Motors, Emperors and Activists. This magnificent Emperor piano concerto is by Beethoven and two female composers, Ethel Smyth and Missy Mazzoli, and it will mark their first live performance back in the Dennison Theatre since the pandemic outbreak in Spring 2020. As the season progresses, concertgoers can expect to see a diverse mix of music both from the Missoula Symphony Orchestra and Chorale.
Those wishing to purchase tickets for the remainder of the 2021-2022 season can do so at missoulasymphony.org. New season ticket subscriptions, as well as single tickets, are on sale now.
Photos courtesy of the Missoula Symphony Association.
