Distinctly Montana Magazine

Their 35-member Board possesses the savvy and passion to keep the orches- tra, Cascade Quar- tet, and Chinook Winds Quintet, and Youth Orches- tra on sound financial footing. Thus, they are able to attract top musicians, such as the much-honored cellist Yo-Yo Ma who played with the Quartet and Joshua Bell, the daz- zling American violin virtuoso, who played with the Symphony this spring. Renowned Montana favorite, pianist Philip Aaberg, has played with them too. Gordon Johnson received his education at Northwestern University and the University of Oregon. He has studied with Leonard Bern- stein, Erich Leinsdorf, and others. He keeps a busy conducting schedule not only in the U.S. but also around the world. In 1999, Maestro Johnson was wonder- ing how the Symphony would honor its 40th anniversary and the Lewis and Clark Centennial. Composer Daniel Dukvich just happened to mention to him that he was reading Undaunted Courage once again and thinking how it could be translated musically. As a result, a composition was commissioned and the world premiere of From the Journals of Lewis and Clark performed, hauntingly close to the place where Lewis and Clark’s expedition spent 30 days trying to portage the falls. This exciting work has since been performed many times. A CD is available, which has sold widely, both in the U.S. and Europe. The 53rd season in Fall 2011 will start Oct. 1st with a Civil War Sesquicentennial theme and will feature James Westwater’s Photochoreography in a piece called The Eter- nal Struggle. If you haven’t experienced James Westwater’s work, be prepared to be astounded. Symphonic photo- choreograpy engages audiences with evocative, multi-im- age photographic essays performed live to selected works. Hundreds of photographs are projected on a panoramic panel suspended above the orchestra, creating a compelling experience for all. The Symphony’s Executive Director, Carolyn Valacich, says “Our vision is to recognize ALL who have served and are serving our country in military service. We will not only honor and involve the personnel at Malmstrom AFB and their families, who are such an important part of the life of our community, but veterans and even the families of veterans who have since passed away. A former Great Falls resident Lt. Colonel Tim Holtan, now Comman- dant of the U.S. Army School of Music, will narrate.” Music is the universal language WORLD For more information and scheduling, visit www.gfsymphony.org. DRUM BROTHERS®, MISSOULA Not to be missed when they come through your town is this high-energy percussion group, whose principal members are Matthew Marsolek, Lawrence Duncan, Michael Marsolek, and Colin Ruggiero. Their concerts feature ethnic sounds from around the world: West African djembe and doun-doun drums, Australian didgeridoo, ethnic flutes, guitar, vocals, and hand percussion. They’ve played at festivals throughout the Northwest, starred at the Seattle World Rhythm Festival, and performed with Ladysmith Black Mambazo. They frequently bring in East Indian or West African artists for collaborations. Drum Brothers® was inspired by sessions the Matthew and Patrick Marsolek attended during evening circles at Feathered Pipe Ranch (east of Helena) in the late 1980s. The official Drum Brothers first performed at Missoula’s First Night 1994. In 2004, they formed another group called Mandir; it blends jazz, classical, and folk idioms with melodic and rhythmic elements from India and West Africa. Its members are Matthew (classical and acoustic guitar, voice), Beth Youngblood (violin), Lawrence Dun- DISTINCTLY MONTANA | DIGITAL Jam with the Drum Brothers Go to www.distinctlymontana.com/drumbrothers113 www.distinctlymontana.com 53

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