UM School of Music

We are so proud of Chris Valian and looking forward to hearing the Montana Youth Symphony premiere his composition this Sunday!

Montana Youth Symphony to Debut in Missoula with UM Senior’s Winning Composition The Montana Youth Symphony will make its Missoula debut at the University of Montana on Sunday, Aug. 2, and feature the premiere performance of an award-winning composition by UM music composition senior Chris Valian, among other works.

🚨Concert alert!🚨University of Montana alumni Kelaiah Horat and Sylvia Wood and cello professor Adam Collins will play a free and varied program of music for piano trio, violin-cello, violin-piano, and solo cello tomorrow (Friday 7/24) at 7:00pm at the Missoula Church of Christ Scientist (509 SW Higgins).

Fantastic accomplishment for Chris Valian (BM-Composition '27, Miles City, MT)! $1000 award!

We are thrilled to host the Montana Youth Symphony concert at 3pm on August 2 in the Dennison Theatre. This will be a fabulous concert (with numerous Griz musicians in the orchestra), led by an international superstar, conductor Sir Donald Runnicles. Come hear an extraordinary performance and support this wonderful organization!

🎫Ticket sales are up NOW and selling fast!
🔜August 2nd at 3:00 PM in the George and Jane Dennison Theatre in Missoula, MT.
✨You won’t want to miss this! visit montanayouthsymphony.org/events to ensure your seat today.

We are so excited to announce Prof. Brenda Griggs has been appointed the Interim Assistant Professor of Music Education in the UM School of Music!

Before coming to the University of Montana, Professor Griggs taught elementary music and beginning band for 22 years at Hawthorne Elementary in the Missoula County Public Schools. She is currently the Forte Children’s Choir director for the Missoula Family of Choirs. Professor Griggs has also taught elementary music at Lowell Elementary and Russell Elementary in Missoula, K-12 Music at Briggsdale School in Colorado and Band and Choir at Payson Middle School in Utah.

Professor Griggs is certified in Orff, level I and II and Kodaly, level I and II. She is a founding member of the professional music organization, “Big Sky Kodaly” and has served in numerous leadership positions in “Treasure State Orff.” She has over 30 years of experience working with young musicians, in both public school and private organizations. Professor Griggs has taught private piano lessons for 20 years and has performed on French Horn in local music ensembles.

We are thrilled to announce the hiring of Dr. Andrew Smith in the position of Clinical Assistant Professor of Trumpet at the University of Montana School of Music, Theatre & Dance. Dr. Smith comes to Missoula with an extensive career as a performer in orchestral, jazz, Broadway, and commercial settings. A passionate teacher, Dr. Smith has been a clinician on three continents and his own private studio students have achieved great success in collegiate and professional arenas. Full bio below.

Dr. Andrew Smith is Clinical Assistant Professor of Trumpet at the University of Montana. As a versatile performer and educator, Smith brings extensive Broadway experience to his teaching including an active career spanning orchestral, chamber, jazz, and commercial music. He has performed in numerous touring productions across the United States, Australia, Japan, and China, including Kinky Boots, 42nd Street, A Christmas Story, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, and many others. From 2005 to 2012, Smith also served as a featured soloist with the Tony Award–winning production Blast!, performing hundreds of shows on national and international tours. During his time in Phoenix, he was a regular performer with the Phoenix Theatre Company. His Phoenix Theatre Company credits include Jersey Boys, Into the Woods, Frozen the Musical, Ever After, and Les Miserables.

As an orchestral musician, Smith has performed with the Phoenix Symphony, Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Norman Philharmonic, Arizona Pops Orchestra, Symphony of the Southwest, West Valley Symphony, among others. He is also an active chamber musician, performing with the Phoenix Brass Collective and DFW Brass Quintet. His recent recording credits include the Grammy nominated album Impossible Dream by Aaron Lazar, The Rivals of Amziah King soundtrack, and Echoes of Grace by Patti Drennon.

As an educator, Smith has previously held positions as Interim Professor of Trumpet at Oklahoma Baptist University and as adjunct faculty in audio engineering at the University of Central Oklahoma. He also maintains an active private studio. His students have regularly achieved success, gaining acceptance into leading music schools across the country, securing consistent job placement in secondary music education, professional performance engagements, and earning recognition at the International Trumpet Guild and the National Trumpet Competition. As a guest artist and clinician, he has worked with university and secondary band programs across the United States, Japan, Australia, and Costa Rica for over 20 years.

Dr. Smith holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Trumpet Performance from Arizona State University. His doctoral project, “Chopin’s Nocturnes for Trumpet: A Study in Bel Canto Through Transcription and Performance Practice” examines the benefits of performing these works by Chopin on the trumpet as a unique pedagogical tool for developing better phrasing, rubato, and musicality. He holds two Master of Music degrees from the University of Oklahoma in Trumpet Performance and Instrumental Wind Conducting where he served as a graduate conducting associate, working with Dr. Shanti Simon and Professor Brian Britt. He earned his Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance from Southern Nazarene University.

He is grateful to his primary trumpet teachers which include Josef Burgstaller, Karl Sievers, Ricky Spears, Doug Lindsey, and Edward Reid. Dr. Smith is a member of the International Trumpet Guild, the American Federation of Musicians, and the College Music Society.

Registration closes July 1st—limited spots left! 🎶

Our Band, Strings, and Jazz Camps are combining into one great week from July 19th - 24th. Because all three camps are happening together, space is limited this year.

Campers entering 7th grade through recent high school graduates will study with esteemed UM School of Music faculty, guest artists, and outstanding college counselors. It is the perfect chance to make music with motivated students from across Montana and the surrounding regions.

Don't wait until the deadline. Secure your place today before registration closes on July 1st!

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SUMMER MUSIC CAMPS Welcome to the University of Montana Summer Music Camp.  Since 1952, we have been offering the summer camp that has become a tradition for Montanans and many from around the country. Music camp is a great time to interact with student musicians from around the region while learning from UM's music...

Join UM’s very own Symphony Orchestra this upcoming Thursday, April 30th at 7:30pm in the Dennison Theatre! Featuring works by Peter Warlock, Jules Massenet, and Felix Mendelssohn. Find tickets on GrizTix!

Today, the students in hosted Mr. Zach Harris from Helena, who presented a Modern Band workshop for the class. We discussed and engaged in musical practices that can bring popular music into school classrooms through teaching strategies that allow for increased opportunities for student choice and student voice. We had a great time and left with lots to think about to help move the field of music education forward.