Montana

Montana Chamber Music Festival coming to Big Sky July 23

Published

2 years ago

July 17, 2024

Montana Chamber Music Festival coming to Big Sky July 23

ARTS COUNCIL OF BIG SKY

The Arts Council’s “Bravo! Big Sky” series is bringing the annual performance of the Montana Chamber Music Summer Music Festival to Big Sky on Tuesday, July 23, at 7 p.m. in the Sapphire Room at the Wilson Hotel. Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased in advance at bigskyarts.org

This year the audience will be treated to Copland’s iconic “Appalachian Spring” for 13 musicians, including celebrated violinist Angella Ahn. There will be a pre-concert reception at the hotel’s Lobby Bar, where guests can mingle before the performance. Seating for the concert is first-come, first-served.

The program includes Aaron Copland’s “Appalachian Spring” (Suite for 13 instruments), as well as Mark O’Connor’s “Appalachia Waltz,” Martinu’s “3 Madrigals for Violin and Viola,” Arthur Foote’s “Night Piece for Flute and String Quartet,” Paul Schoenfield’s “Café Music for piano trio” and Mikhail Glinka’s “Trio Pathétique for piano, clarinet and bassoon.”

Each year the festival brings in renowned classical musicians and tours around Montana. In addition to Big Sky there are performances in Bozeman, Virginia City, Georgetown Lake, Butte and Livingston. Performing at this year’s festival will be Angella Ahn, violin; Jun-Ching Lin, violin; Jihye Sung, violin; Elizabeth York, violin; Chi-Chi Lin Bestmann, viola; Dana Rokosny, viola; Jessie Reagen, cello; Sara Stalnaker, cello; Josh Schwalbach, bass; Immanuel Davis, flute; Amer Hasan, clarinet; Ben Greanya, bassoon; and Michele Levin, piano. This is an opportunity to see and hear world-class talent in Big Sky.

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Montana

Encore of the Heart: Montana Performer Makes Comeback After Heart Attack | AHA

Published

5 hours ago

March 7, 2026

Press Room

Encore of the Heart: Montana Performer Makes Comeback After Heart Attack | AHA

Frankee Angel, a lifelong performer, found her world upended when she suffered a sudden medical emergency just before playing piano at St. Patrick’s Church. Unaware that she had already survived one heart attack, she was shocked to learn she was in the midst of a second. The damage was severe—her heart’s ejection fraction had fallen to 15%, indicating advanced heart failure.

Under the care of the cardiology team at Intermountain Health St. James Hospital, Angel began a long journey toward stabilizing and strengthening her heart. Providers monitored her closely, adjusting medications and helping her manage complications like fluid buildup. Their goal was to prepare her for an implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD), a device that could protect her from dangerous heart rhythms. In July 2025, once her body was ready, the device was successfully implanted.

Angel immediately felt renewed energy and affectionately named the ICD “Minerva,” after her old stage persona. “It’s a miracle! I’m able to live like the person I am meant to be,” she said.

With the support of cardiac rehabilitation and her dedicated care team, Angel gradually reclaimed her identity as a performer. She returned to playing piano during mass and is now preparing for a role in Macbeth. Her story highlights the broader impact of St. James Hospital’s “Hearts in the Mountains” initiative, launched in 2022 to expand heart-failure care in rural Montana—a program that has helped reduce cardiology readmission rates from 30% to 11.4%.

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Montana

Montana State announces spring football schedule; Nolan Askelson joins coaching staff

Published

17 hours ago

March 6, 2026

Press Room

Montana State announces spring football schedule; Nolan Askelson joins coaching staff

BOZEMAN — Montana State will begin spring football practices March 24.

The reigning national champion Bobcats will hold 12 practices, two scrimmages and the Sonny Holland Spring Classic over the course of five weeks. The Sonny Holland Spring Classic is scheduled for Saturday, April 25.

Also on the schedule is the MSU Pro Day, which will be held April 2.

In addition to releasing the spring practice schedule, Montana State confirmed the addition of Nolan Askelson to the coaching staff. Askelson, a Billings Senior High School alum, will be an assistant defensive line coach for Bobby Daly, who is returning as Montana State’s defensive coordinator after spending last season at UTEP.

Askelson was a standout linebacker for the Bobcats, capping his MSU career with first-team All-Big Sky Conference honors in 2023. He played in four games as a true freshman in 2018 before becoming a regular rotation player in 2019. An injury shortened his 2021 season, but he played 11 games in 2022 and finished with 64 tackles.

As a senior in 2023, Askelson wore Montana State’s legacy No. 41 jersey and led the team with 84 tackles, eight tackles-for-loss and two sacks.

In high school, he was a two-time all-state selection for Senior and helped the Broncs win Class AA state championships in 2016 and 2017.

Montana State spring football schedule

Tuesday, March 24 — Practice, 7:05 a.m.

Thursday, March 26 — Practice, 7:05 a.m.

Friday, March 27 — Practice, 7:05 a.m.

Monday, March 30 — Practice, 7:05 a.m.

Wednesday, April 1 — Practice, 7:05 a.m.

Thursday, April 2 — Pro Day (no practice)

Friday, April 3 — Practice, 7:05 a.m.

Saturday, April 4 — Practice, 10:05 a.m.

Tuesday, April 7 — Practice, 7:05 a.m.