Flathead Valley Youth Symphonies

The Flathead Valley Youth Symphonies consist of two orchestral ensembles for talented middle and high school string, wind, and percussion players to gain valuable life skills, make lasting relationships, and explore beautiful music at a high level. Performing in a youth symphony is a formative experience shared by professional and non-professional musicians alike throughout the world. Students will grow as human beings and musicians, all while creating lasting memories alongside their peers. 

 

The newest ensemble, Philharmonia, is a string orchestra for beginner/intermediate level musicians, and the Symphony  will remain as a full orchestra (strings, winds, and percussion) for intermediate/advanced level musicians.


Fall 2025: September 22nd/25th – December 1st/4th, 2025 (Concert on Monday, 12/1 @ 7:00)

Winter 2026: January 5th/8th – March 15th, 2026 (Concert on Sunday, 3/15 @ 7:00)

  • SYMPHONY

    1. Audition Materials (audition info below)
    2. Registration Form Link
    3. Once you are accepted: CLICK HERE TO PAY TUITION

    Rehearsal Time: Mondays, 7-9 pm (including a 10 minute break)

    Location: Flathead High School Band Room (PA 10)

    Tuition: $125 per each 12 week session (scholarships available through North Valley Music School)


    Conductor: Eric Holdhusen

  • PHILHARMONIA

    1. Audition Materials (audition info below)
    2. Registration Form Link
    3. Once you are accepted: CLICK HERE TO PAY TUITION

    Rehearsal Time: Thursdays, 7-8:15 pm

    Location:  North Valley Music School at 1998 River Lakes Parkway

    Tuition: $100 per each 12 week session (scholarships available through North Valley Music School)


    Conductor: Noah Certalic

Requirements:


● Students must pass an audition. Materials are on the NVMS Auditions webpage.
● Students must be active members of their school ensembles (if applicable)

Audition Instructions


Thank you for your interest in auditioning for the Flathead Valley Youth Symphonies!
Deadline for Audition Video and Registration Form: Sunday, September 13th, 2025 at 11:59pm. 

Students only participating during the spring semester will audition in December.


Video Instructions:
● Before filming the audition, make sure you are in a well-lit area, with your instrument and face in view of the camera.

  • Videos should be emailed to eric.holdhusen@sd5.k12.mt.us for Symphony auditions or certalicn@whitefishschools.org for Philharmonia auditions, either as a file or a YouTube link. The email should include the applicant’s full name and instrument.
    ● There is no limit to file size, but it is in your best interest to submit the highest quality video available to you. Videos of too low quality to judge tone and musicality will be disqualified.
    ● The file or YouTube video name should include the applicant’s last name and the title of the excerpt/solo.
            ○ Ex. johnson_dmajorscale, johnson_larghetto
    ● YouTube videos should be unlisted with comments and rating options disabled.
    ● The applicant may decide to submit all the excerpts as one video (either video in one take or edited together) in which case it should just be titled last name_audition.
    ●     Tempo markings should be acknowledged, but are not mandatory. Please perform at whatever tempo will be most successful for you.