Thanks for embracing the arts

“Thank you” is one of those terms that, at times, you never can seem to say enough. So on behalf of all music lovers and the nonprofit community, here is a very heartfelt “Thank You” to the Whitefish Community Foundation and the Whitefish community in general for how you have embraced the arts and supported non-profit organizations. 

My perspective comes from my association with the Glacier Symphony and Chorale. I am the president of their board, and also a substitute volunteer musician in the orchestra. The symphony and chorale has been performing in Whitefish since it began 33 years ago and the Whitefish Community Foundation has supported the GSC through its grant programs and the Great Fish Community Challenge for over 10 years. That’s a pretty big deal to us and one we certainly appreciate. This year the Great Fish Challenge provided a grant for $7,983 to help the GSC continue our programming and educational events in Whitefish.

For example, two free youth concerts are on this year’s schedule. In January, Tracy Silverman, an electric violinist and one our guest soloists for our concert series performed for 500 4-7th graders at the Whitefish Middle School and worked with the orchestra class. Coming up in April will be cellist Robert DeMaine, principle cellist for the Los Angeles Philharmonic who will perform for another full house of students.

Whitefish schools have an exemplary string and orchestra program as part of the overall music programs. Thanks to teacher and musician Jenanne Soberg, and the Whitefish Credit Union for its original grant to purchase violins, and SD 44 for their continued support for the music programs as part of their curricula. The GSC is an organization of volunteers and we are always looking for musical talent and students who can audition and meet the requirements to perform. The importance of a strong music programs in our schools is critical to the long term success of the GSC.

Again, a huge note of thanks to all of the donors to the Great Fish Community Challenge, the Whitefish Community Foundation in general and to our organization. We know that its only with your support that the GSC is able to provide youth concerts and other educational opportunities for our kids, continue with our winter concert series plus Festival Amadeus, Montana’s only week long classical music festival. It gives me great joy in performing occasionally and a real sense of community knowing that we all support music and the arts in Whitefish.

— Jim Lehner is president of Glacier Symphony and Chorale Board of Directors