The Bozeman Symphony Far Afield Aug. 9 in Virginia City

The Elling House Arts and Humanities Center present Sandy Stimson and Jeff Vick of the Bozeman Symphony at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9. 

Stimson is principal oboe of the Bozeman Symphony Orchestra and performs on English horn/third oboe with the Billings Symphony.

She owns her own business Sandysreeds.com selling oboe and English horn reeds with sales nationwide. She earned her master of music degree from Yale University and her bachelor of music degree from Ithaca College.

For two years she was invited to study privately with Richard Killmer at the Eastman School of music where she participated in lessons and masterclasses.

Previous orchestral engagements include principal oboe of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra, principal oboe of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, associate principal oboe of the Omaha Symphony, principal oboe of the Billings Symphony and 15 seasons as principal oboe of the Breckenridge Chamber Music Festival Orchestra in Colorado. 

 Vick began playing drums in fourth grade band in Denver. Childhood asthma discouraged starting a wind instrument, and since his closest cousins three blocks away played string bass and viola ("that's covered"), percussion became the "instrument to do."

By seventh grade and the influence of his junior high band director, Vick decided to "teach music and play drums when he grew up." After 34 years in public education, he retired in June 2022 and is president of Bozeman Rotary.

This fall starts year 37 as principal timpanist and percussionist with the Bozeman Symphony and Opera Montana. He is also a principal with Helena Symphony, Montana Ballet, and Montana TheatreWorks Orchestras, a member of PercOrchestra, the Rosewood Duo, and maintains a private studio.  

Admission is free. The Elling House Arts and Humanities Center is at 404 E. Idaho St. Virginia City.

For more information call 406-843-5454 or 406-843-5508. Visit www.ellinghouse.org