Dear Friends of SOR,

As our 39th season draws to a close, I reflect with gratitude on your continued enthusiasm and dedication to our orchestra. Seeing all of you in our audiences is gratifying, and we appreciate every one of you and our generous sponsors whose support enables us to bring world-class soloists such as Cynthia Phelps and Kerson Leong to our stage.

Next year we turn 40!! Our 40th Anniversary season celebrates the dynamism and unique creative energy that is so irresistible about American artists and American music. The September concert opens with two giants in American music—legendary violinist Robert McDuffie and composer Philip Glass. Mr. McDuffie will perform the American 4 Seasons, a concerto dedicated to and written especially for him in collaboration with the composer. In November we have a special weekend full of music with the beloved a capella group Dolce Canto—two Missoula institutions joining forces in two special performances. As always, we are featuring our annual Rising Stars side-by-side concert and continue our tradition of providing free master classes with guest artists for music students in the Missoula community.

Our 40th Anniversary celebratory events include a pre-season fundraiser at the Montana Museum of Art & Culture, complete with wine, chamber music and a special docent-guided tour, and an SOR orchestra showcase in May to celebrate 40 fabulous years of music. Details about our special events and our annual free summer concert will follow soon.

From all of us—wishing you a wonderful summer!

Musically yours,
Maria Larionoff
Artistic Director, SOR