BILLINGS — The Montana Youth Symphony is gearing up for a concert this Sunday, rehearsing its largest ensemble to date with 60 talented musicians.
Among the performers is concertmaster Rosie Weiss, a Billings native with 25 years of violin experience, having started playing at the age of three.
Reflecting on her early start, Weiss shared, “The story goes that my father learned about the Suzuki Method and thought it would be perfect to start young children. When he heard you should begin at age two, he worried it was too late for me, but starting at three really set me on my path.”
Now 28, Weiss boasts a distinguished background, including performing with the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America alongside renowned Grammy-winning violinist Joshua Bell. “I joke that was the peak of my career at age 16,” she said with a smile.
Although currently based in Boise, Idaho, Weiss maintains strong ties to her hometown. “I still perform with the Billings Symphony as assistant concertmaster. I fly in once a month to play with them,” she explained.
This year’s youth symphony concert, to be held in Billings, features musicians from all over Montana. A notable participant is 18-year-old cellist Charles Snellman from Helena, who clinched first place in his division at the Montana Association of Symphony Orchestras’ Biennial Young Artists Competition this January.
Snellman caught the attention of this year’s symphony conductor, Sir Donald Runnicles, who invited him to perform a solo.
He will be featured in the Cello Concerto No. 2 in D major by Joseph Haydn. “The piece is very sparkly and quite exposed for the solo cellist. It can be nerve-wracking, but it’s beautiful and I’m thrilled to perform it,” he remarked.
Snellman has been dedicated to the cello for almost a decade, having started in fourth grade. “I just fell in love with the cello and symphonic music. It has been incredibly inspiring,” he said.
Looking ahead, Snellman plans to attend Johns Hopkins University this fall, pursuing studies in molecular biology alongside cello performance.
He described rehearsing alongside peers ranging from 16 to 30 years old as an inspiring experience. “Performing with people already in college, as well as those in high school and graduate school, has been very motivating,” he shared.
Both Weiss and Snellman will take the stage with the Montana Youth Symphony at 3 p.m. on Sunday at the Alberta Bair Theater.
Tickets for the concert are available for purchase online.
— The Violin Post Editorial Staff
