Great Falls Youth Orchestras

08/31/2026

👀 Have you submitted your MEMBERSHIP AUDITION yet? Tomorrow's the deadline! Join the Youth Orchestra for an exciting semester of music-making! 🎶
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⏰ Need a little more time? Contact Ms. Nelsen!

08/21/2026

Seating Audition material is ready! Go to our webpage (linked in comments) to download your music and sign up for a time to audition! Seating auditions will be held SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6TH to kick off another fun semester of music-making!
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❓ What is a Seating Audition?

Seating auditions are for CURRENT members and happen at the beginning of each new semester! They focus on some of the most difficult passages in the upcoming music and provide much-needed live audition experience.
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❓ How is that different than a Membership Audition?

Membership auditions are for NEW members only, or those moving from Sinfonia to Youth Orchestra. Students only ever need to submit ONE membership audition when they become new members. Seating auditions are for EVERYONE each semester, new members included!
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More questions? Contact Ms. Nelsen!

08/20/2026

Our official Fall rehearsal and concert schedule is HERE! Put the dates and locations in your calendar! 🍂🎵

08/11/2026

September 1st is mere weeks away! We have MANY open seats for WIND and BRASS PLAYERS, especially, but ALL are welcome to audition! 🎶
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❓ WHAT is required?

We require 1 SCALE and 1 EXCERPT from the All-State Music Festival requirements (either Set A or B), in addition to a 1-MINUTE excerpt from your SOLO repertoire!
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❓ HOW do I submit an audition?

VIDEO record yourself playing your SCALE, EXCERPT, and SOLO. Email the videos directly to Ms. Nelsen ([email protected]) OR upload the videos to YouTube as an UNLISTED video and email the links!
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❓ WHEN is the deadline?

We need your videos by SEPTEMBER 1st! Think you'll need a bit more time? Contact us!
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We're so excited for our 2026-27 season! JOIN US! 🥳

08/10/2026

As our seniors from the Class of 2026 are preparing for their next steps, we want to celebrate one more fantastic musician! Congratulations, VIENNA! 🎓
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Vienna served as PRINCIPAL VIOLA of the Great Falls Youth Orchestra for several amazing semesters. Vienna plans to attend BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY in the fall, and she is auditioning for the University Orchestra. After serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, she plans to attend LAW SCHOOL.
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Thank you for everything, Vienna! You're going to accomplish terrific things! 🎉

06/30/2026

Congratulations, CAIMBRIE! 🎓
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Caimbrie says, "After graduation, I plan to attend LIBERTY UNIVERSITY to study Biomedical Sciences with a focus in Global and Intercultural Engagement. I also plan to join the LU Symphony Orchestra to continue playing my CELLO. Long-term, I hope to attend medical school, but I know that music will forever be a large part of my life."
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Thank you for everything! You're going to do amazing things! 🎉

06/08/2026

Graduation may be behind us, but we're still celebrating our seniors!
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Congratulations, TAELA! 🎓 She is planning to attend the UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA and major in FLUTE performance. Thank you for everything, Taela! We can't wait to see what you do next! 🎉
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05/30/2026

🎓 Guys, it's graduation weekend! Congratulations, GRACE! 🎓
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GRACE has been playing VIOLA since 5th grade. Her favorite things to do in her free time include listening to and making music, traveling, and doing fun things with friends. A fun fact about her is that musical talent runs in her family. When she graduates, she plans to go to the UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA to pursue her musical career and major in MUSIC EDUCATION.
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Thank you for everything, Grace! We can't wait to see what you do next! 🎉

05/29/2026

🎓 Graduation rehearsals are about to begin! We're so proud of our seniors! 🎉

05/23/2026

YO and Sinfonia students! We have our NEW MUSIC DIRECTOR! Remember that ALL members of our Youth Programs are entitled to ONE FREE TICKET to see Great Falls Symphony concerts! You'll want to see Maestro Kahn in action this season! 🎶🎉🤩

Get to know Robert!

Over the coming days, we’re excited to introduce you to the Great Falls Symphony’s new Music Director, Robert Kahn. From his musical journey to off podium personality, we can’t wait to help you get to know him.

Born in the U.S. and raised in Holland, Robert Kahn grew up surrounded by music, with classical concerts and family music-making shaping his love for the art form from an early age. At just 16 years old, joining the Dutch National Youth Orchestra inspired him to pursue music professionally and completely changed the direction of his life. “I grew up in Holland, a country famous for its flatness,” Robert shared. “I’m very excited to be in a place that actually has mountains. Also, excited to be able to bike, which in Holland is the preferred method of transportation.” Good thing Great Falls has nearly 60 miles of biking and walking paths along the River’s Edge Trail ready for him to explore!

Stay tuned for more about Robert in the upcoming days while we help you get to know our new Music Director! See his bio and note to the community at www.gfsymphony.org/music-director.