History
Years ago in Butte, three musicians, Charles Kestle Sr., Harold Godtland and Albert Kreitinger, formed a small orchestra consisting of nine members. They rehearsed weekly in Kreitinger's living room, playing mostly for the absolute love of music. Soon enough, the group added more members and that living room was no longer large enough. The Butte High band room became the new home for rehearsals. The first concerts were played at Montana Tech, where mineral display cases were pushed to the side in order to accommodate the orchestra. Today, the orchestra has grown into more than 60 members under the Butte Symphony Association, which includes the 45-member chorale and the guild, an all-volunteer group that supports the association through organized events. Five concerts per year are performed.
Specialties
It is our mission to promote performance, education, and appreciation of symphonic music in southwest Montana. We strive to provide access to classical music in Butte and the surrounding communities through concerts, public forums, performances for our youth, school presentations, and rural outreach. It is our vision to the the premier orchestra and chorale in southwest Montana.