‘We have been here for Helena’: Symphony Under the Stars’ rising costs may prompt request for more funds from county, city

The music director of the Helena Symphony Orchestra told Lewis and Clark County officials his group will likely seek more financial support from them for the annual Symphony Under the Stars as costs have escalated to put on the yearly free summer concert that draws thousands to Carroll College.

Allan R. Scott told the commissioners Tuesday the most recent concert had a $14,000 shortfall due to “skyrocketing” costs.

“We can absorb it,” Scott said Wednesday in a telephone interview.

He said Tuesday the concert comes with a $150,000 price tag and that the “stage alone is $48,000,” with the fireworks costing $6,000 per minute. Scott said Intrepid Credit Union gives as much as $35,000 a year to help produce the concert at the base of Guadalupe Hill at Carroll College. The concerts typically bring in 16,000-18,000 people and the college and the symphony do not make money from the event.

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A scene from the 20th Annual Intrepid Credit Union Symphony Under the Stars performance in July at Carroll College.

Gary Marshall, BMGphotos.com

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