Orchestras & Opera Houses
Billings Symphony
Founded in 1951, the Billings Symphony serves the Billings, Montana metropolitan area of 150,000+, and surrounding communities in eastern Montana and northern Wyoming. The Billings Symphony is headquatered in downtown Billings and is the only professional symphonic organization within a 130-mile radius. Celebrates its upcoming 75th season of setting the standard for exceptional symphonic performan
Founded in 1951, the Billings Symphony serves the Billings, Montana metropolitan area of 150,000+, and surrounding communities in eastern Montana and northern Wyoming. The Billings Symphony is headquatered in downtown Billings and is the only professional symphonic organization within a 130-mile radius. Celebrates its upcoming 75th season of setting the standard for exceptional symphonic performance and community engagement to audiences in a regional population base of 250,000. The annual performance season includes a seven-concert Classic Series, a seven-concert Sukin Series of local, regional and global talent in chamber-style performances including two big band jazz concerts with the Rocky Mountain Jazz Collective. Additionally, a three-concert Free Family Series, three annual Nutcracker performances with the San Diego Ballet, Symphony in the Park, two Billings Symphony Chorale performances, and numerous music education/community engagement activities. In 2022, the local youth orchestras were acquired by the Billings Symphony. Four youth orchestras and numerous chamber ensembles makeup an active youth programs division.
All performances of the Classic Series concerts are held in the newly renovated Alberta Bair Theater. Other performing venues include the historic Billings Depot, Babcock Theater, The Lincoln Center and St. Patrick's Co-Cathedral. The Billings Symphony also presents concerts to geographically isolated and culturally underserved communities in a region extending from Sheridan, Wyoming to Sidney, Montana. Together with its education and outreach programs of Explore Music!, the Billings Symphony’s concerts and programs reach over 100,000 children, youth, adults and seniors each year. The 2025-2026 season marks Maestra Anne Harrigan’s 20th season as Music Director!