BILLINGS MT- The Billings Symphony Orchestra & Chorale (BSO&C) and Yellowstone Art Museum (YAM) are proud to announce for the first time ever, a collaboration of Symphony in the Park and Summerfair! These events will complement each other from June 26– 28, 2020 at Pioneer Park. “This is one of the biggest cultural collaborations between two of the largest cultural pillars of our community,” stated Bryan W. Knicely, Executive Director for the YAM.

This conversation began late last summer with the BSO&C and YAM getting together to strategize on how to build stronger cultural partnerships in Billings. “We are excited to be working together to bring you this fantastic weekend of experiencing outstanding performing and visual arts in Billings,” said Ignacio Barrón Viela, Executive Director for the BSO&C. “This is just the beginning of cultural collaborations in Billings among Billings Cultural Partnership organizations, much like we started last fall with the North x Northwest series of events.” The two organizations look forward to even more partnership opportunities going forward.

What you can expect this year:

Friday, June 26, 2020

Summerfair 42 Preview and Grand Opening: 4-8PM

Party in the Park VIP Reception: 6-8PM
             

Saturday, June 27, 2020

Summerfair 42: 10AM-6PM

Symphony in the Park: TBD

Sunday, June 28, 2020:

Summerfair 42: 10AM-4PM

Symphony in the Park: 4PM- 9PM

Summerfair 42 attracts more than 10,000 people over three days and is a wonderful way to share the joy of art with friends and family. While Summerfair is a fundraiser for the Museum’ education programs, it truly meets our mission by enriching the community through interactive experiences and creative exchange while collaborating with our community partners.

Tickets for Summerfair are $5 for adults and children over 6. Admission is free for children 6 and under. Weekend Passes are available for $25 and include admission for 2 adults and up to 3 children over age 6 for the entire weekend, a $75 value.

More than 100 artists, community groups, and food vendors participate in this amazing community event every year. Artist booths at Summerfair include painting, pottery, art from nature, glass, wood, metal, fiber art, photography, body products, and artisan foods. Summerfair is a great place to find that unique gift for yourself or someone special while supporting the Billings Community.

Symphony in the Park begins at 4 pm with an Instrument Petting Zoo presented by Eckroth Music. Wilcoxson’s Ice cream and other refreshments will be available beginning at 4 pm. Food trucks will be available all weekend. At 5 pm, the Billings Community Band takes the stage under the Baton of Aaron Roberts. Maestra Anne Harrigan gathers the kiddos for her signature Kids Conduction Contest at 6:45 pm. The Billings Symphony Orchestra and guest artists, John Roberts y Pan Blanco, take the stage at 7 pm following the Presentation of the Flags by VFW Post 6774 and the Marine Corps League.

Maestra Anne Harrigan programs Symphony in the Park to appeal to the musical tastes of the thousands of people who return year after year. This Year, popular Billings Band, John Roberts y Pan Blanco are joining in the festivities.

John Roberts began playing the piano at the age of 5 while living on an isolated ranch in Southeastern Montana. There was no TV, but there was a piano. From age 11-18, in Malta, MT, he was in band (trombone) and choir in the Malta, MT schools. After graduating in 1996 from Montana State University-Billings with a BA in Music Performance, John moved to Los Angeles to earn his Master of Fine Arts in Western Orchestral Performance from California Institute of the Arts.

Roberts is a Professor of Low Brass at MSU Billings, teaching Music Theory, Aural Perception, Jazz Ensemble, Commercial Ensemble, World Music courses and more. He is active in the Montana and Los Angeles performing and studio scenes as a bandleader, studio musician and composer/arranger. John is currently recording and composing for his next album, part of which was recorded in Santiago de Cuba in August of 2018 and Los Angeles in 2019. This record will be a collaboration between Cuban, Congolese, Los Angeles and Montana artists.

The BSO&C and the YAM are excited to work together to bring these two outstanding summer events together into the ultimate fun family-friendly weekend.  “Partnerships like this one bring our community together as we celebrate both the visual and performing arts” said Knicely. “We are celebrating the creativity in the community,” stated Viela, “whether it’s looking at a beautiful painting, a piece of handmade ceramic, or listening to live music, we are creating an event to share it all with Billings and the surrounding communities.”

The Billings Symphony Orchestra & Chorale (BSO&C) is the largest professional orchestra in Montana. Established in 1951, the BSO&C strives to enrich lives through music. Consisting of over 135 musicians, the BSO&C serves a regional population of 400,000 people located throughout South Central and Eastern Montana, and Northeastern Wyoming by introducing music to children, youth, adults and seniors through Explore Music! the BSO&C’s community engagement program.

For more information about the Yellowstone Art Museum’s Summerfair, please visit artmuseum.org

For more information about the Billings Symphony Orchestra & Chorale’s Symphony in the Park, please visit billingssymphony.org/symphony-in-the-park-2020