St. Timothy’s 2024 Summer Music Festival
Growling Old Men [Traditional & Original Bluegrass]
June 30th, 2024 @ 4:00 PM
The St. Timothy’s Memorial Chapel Summer Music Festival kicks off on June 30th with a performance by the Growling Old Men.
The Growling Old Men, comprising Ben Winship (mandolin & vocals) and John Lowell (guitar & vocals), delight in making music together. With decades of experience in the Northern Rockies’ acoustic music scene, they’ve been performing and recording since 1998. Their repertoire includes original and traditional bluegrass songs, ballads, and tunes, drawing inspiration from the Appalachian hills and the western plains.
The duo brings an engaging and spontaneous energy to their concerts, creating a surprisingly full sound for just two performers. Their shows feature a blend of well-rehearsed favorites and fresh new songs, showcasing their penchant for improvisational risk-taking. The duo seeks to balance simplicity with complexity, all delivered with impeccable tone and a warm sense of humor.
Montana Chamber Music Society [Classical]
July 21st, 2024 @ 4:00 PM
The Montana Chamber Music Society, one of the most acclaimed groups in our concert series, returns for its 29th performance with the St. Timothy’s Summer Music Festival on July 21st.
Made up of world-class musicians, MCMS has an impressive list of accolades, including Grammys, Grand Prix du Disqus, and Gramophone Awards.
As always, society continues to advance chamber music by delivering the highest quality performances in Montana’s beautiful setting.
This year’s performance will see returning members and a potential new addition from their 12 highly accomplished musicians roster. The MCMS’s mission is to engage a diverse public with ongoing cultural relevance and provide an extraordinary musical experience for all.
Bob Milne Ragtime Piano [Ragtime Lively Melodies]
July 28th, 2024 @ 4:00 PM
Bob Milne, the busiest piano player in the world for over 25 years, has traveled over one million miles pursuing his passion. With an average of 250 performances annually – about five shows every week for 50 weeks – Milne’s dedication to his craft knows no bounds. He’d often perform between four and nine gigs daily, including matinees, and even drive 400 miles overnight to reach his next venue.
His commitment to his audience was unwavering, evidenced by his record-breaking “overnight” drive of 1241 miles from Deerfield, Massachusetts, to Newburgh, Missouri. Milne’s mantra was simple: “Never wanted to disappoint anybody.”
From his early days playing in saloons and nightclubs in the Detroit area to captivating stages and concert halls worldwide, Milne’s journey has been extraordinary.
Robert “Bob” Milne is widely recognized as an American ragtime musician and concert pianist. Praised as an “outstanding specialist of ragtime boogie,” he earned the title of a “national treasure” after his documentation by the U.S. Library of Congress in 2004.
Milne’s remarkable musical abilities were further highlighted through experiments conducted by Penn State neuroscientist Kerstin Bettermann, revealing his unique talent to mentally “play” up to four symphonies simultaneously.
David Casey Band [Indie-Folk]
August 11th, 2024 @ 4:00 PM
David and Deidre Casey, a husband-and-wife duo from Helena, Montana, are the creative force behind Big Sky country’s captivating symphonic indie-folk sound. With seven beat-boxing children in tow, their musical journey is as unique as inspiring.
Their musical partnership began in college in 1991 when they formed “Happy Cactus” alongside Colin Meloy of The Decemberists and drummer Mark Schummer. David, a versatile multi-instrumentalist and solo artist, has recorded seven albums as part of the Watercarvers Guild. Deidre and David’s collaboration has yielded their third recording, “Little Fox, Little Bird.”
Their performances showcase original music spanning acoustic folk to rock/funk. The entire David Casey Band lineup features Luke Michelson on fiddle, Nathan Casey on bass, Jeremy Slead on drums, and Josh Loveland on pedal steel/trumpet.
With ten original albums over two decades, David and Deidre’s music is characterized by lush harmonies and adventurous songwriting in the American folk tradition. Their work has been featured on prestigious platforms such as Montana PBS’s “11th and Grant,” the Red Ants Pants Festival, the Sweet Pea Festival, and the Festival at Sandpoint.
David’s recent “365 Daily Song” video project on YouTube, featuring a different song posted daily for an entire year, highlights their dedication to their craft. Their latest album and live performances showcase lush textures of bouzouki, strings, and pedal steel-laden acoustic folk grooves, all topped with perfect harmony.
Tim Ryan Rouillier [Cowboy/Western]
August 25th, 2024 @ 4:00 PM
Renowned in the music industry, TIM RYAN is an award-winning artist and songwriter who is celebrated for his profound contributions to music. With a career spanning across esteemed labels such as CBS, RCA, and Warner Brothers Records, Tim has etched his name in history with his unparalleled talent.
His songwriting prowess has graced the works of icons like George Strait, Phil Vassar, and Kenny Rogers, among others, earning him widespread acclaim and admiration. Notably, his composition “Last Day Of My Life” soared to the top of the charts as a Number 1 hit recorded by Phil Vassar. At the same time, George Strait’s platinum-selling album “Somewhere Down In Texas” features his work prominently.
Tim’s accolades extend beyond commercial success, as he’s been honored with prestigious awards like the “Song Of The Year” from Golden Harvest- Farm Journal and American Folk. Beyond his songwriting, Tim’s multifaceted talents also encompass production and studio musicianship, further solidifying his influence in the industry. Excitingly, PBS is set to showcase his latest endeavor, a symphonic memoir musical titled “My Grandpa’s Fiddle: The Soundtrack Of My Life,” promising a captivating journey through his rich musical tapestry on a nationwide scale.