Whitefish High School sophomores Cassidy Krack, a viola player, and Marlis Nargi, who plays bass, were selected to participate in the Montana Youth Symphony from July 28 to Aug. 3. 

The Montana Youth Symphony was formed three years ago by Dr. Ilse-Mari Lee Hastings and Sir Donald Runnicles to give talented musicians from across the state an opportunity to perform at a high-caliber level. 

Board member and longtime local teacher Jenanne Solberg said Montana students and graduates up to 25 years of age are invited to submit a rigorous audition and short biography, which are screened by a panel of nationally recognized professionals. 

This year, with Billings as the host city, students will live and rehearse on the MSU-Billings campus. During their residency, students will travel to Jackson Hole for sectionals, a rehearsal with Runnicles and to attend a performance of the Teton Festival Orchestra. 

Krack and Nargi, both 16 years old, will be among the youngest musicians in the symphony and they are excited about the opportunity. 

“It's pretty big deal,” Krack said. “I'm really excited. [It’s a] huge honor.” 

They are looking forward to the Teton Festival, especially. 

"[It’s] one of the biggest, most famous music festivals of all time,” Nargi gushed. “It's a really big honor to get to go, especially not paying $100 million to go.”  

The organization covers expenses for the musicians and provides a small stipend, gas money and the invaluable experience of playing with other great musicians. 

Whitefish High School and Middle School orchestra teacher Summer Boggess said the two sophomores’ participation in the Youth Symphony is inspirational. 

“Cassidy and Marlis are strong leaders in orchestra, so for them to get to be challenged in this way is such a reward for being those kinds of kids who will go the extra mile and try hard things and be willing to do a challenge,” Boggess said. “"It’s so nice for the younger students to see that and see what could be possible.” 

The fact that Krack and Nargi will be among the youngest musicians in the symphony is something Boggess sees as an advantage. 

“Being the least experienced in a room is one of my favorite things to be, because it takes you to the next level,” she added. “That's what this will be for them.” 

The Youth Symphony will play Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 and Haydn’s Cello Concerto No. 2. As soon as the music arrives, Boggess, Solberg and Noah Certalic will be helping Krack and Nargi learn their parts. Don Beller, a retired bass professor, may also lend a hand. 

Twenty-three-year-old Certalic, who recently finished his student teaching at Whitefish High School, was hired to teach music at Whitefish Middle School next year. He was also selected to the Montana Youth Symphony this summer. 

“This will be my second year. It's going to be a great opportunity for these guys,” he said, nodding toward the younger students. “It's some of the finest musicians around the state in one orchestra, so it really sounds great and they're a part of that.” 

AT THE HEART of this opportunity for Krack and Nargi is Solberg. The effect she’s had on the music program is evident in Nargi’s enthusiastic description. 

“Mrs. Solberg is the best music teacher of all time, and we owe this entire experience to her,” Nargi said. “She has advocated for us being able to do this, and we're extremely lucky to have her as someone so close to this program. Wow. We're very thankful for her.” 

In 2002, Solberg began teaching choir and general music at Whitefish Middle School and at North Valley Music School. Her concern, at the time, was that the children taking violin lessons would quit when they entered fifth grade because there was no orchestra class.  

“I walked over to Whitefish Credit Union one day and met with Charlie Abell,” she said. 

Solberg told Abell she needed 30 violins so fifth graders could learn about stringed instruments. The idea was that fifth and sixth graders could share them.  

“So, Charlie wrote me a check, and we got 30 violins and started it up,” she said. “That was the fifth-grade curriculum for years. Everybody had to take violin.” 

When the first class of violin-playing students reached middle school, they played during lunchtime since there was no orchestra class. 

“I had 12 kids the first year, and I still keep in touch with those kids,” Solberg said. “One of them is playing in the Butte Symphony. Another girl is doing classes at FVCC. She still plays fiddle and guitar.” 

Around 2008, more kids joined in, and orchestra became a class which combined seventh and eighth graders. Solberg then met with the board, and parents stepped up to initiate an orchestra class at the high school for the 30 or so students who had been playing. Today, 105 students participate in orchestra. 

Solberg’s reach in the music scene extends beyond the schools. 

“I started this camp in the summer in collaboration with the Glacier Symphony,” she said. “We've done that for, gosh, 15 or 16 years now. And this year we'll have 35 campers coming.” 

After teaching 250 students in fifth through twelfth grade, online, during the pandemic, Solberg retired but didn’t go far.  

“I'm still invested in it,” she said. “I cannot step away.”  

    Bass player Marlis Nargi and violist Cassidy Krack were chosen for the Montana Youth Symphony this summer. (Juie Engler/Whitefish Pilot)