Billings Symphony Debuts Young Friends Ticket Program
Live music has been part of human life since the earliest days of human society, and the Billings Symphony believes access to it shouldn’t come with a price tag that keeps people away. That belief is the whole point behind the Young Friends Program, a new ticket initiative aimed at putting more young people and families in the seats at Alberta Bair Theater.
The program breaks down into four simple tiers, built to meet people wherever they are:
- Students K-12: Free admission
- College and graduate students: $10 admission
- Under 30: Deeply reduced ticket prices, averaging a 40% discount
- Prelude Society: Membership and subscription packages discounted for anyone under 40
Whether you’re bringing the kids to their first concert or you’re a grad student looking for an affordable and memorable date night, there’s a price point that works.
Why This Matters for Billings
As the only professional symphony of its size in the region, the Billings Symphony carries some weight when it comes to keeping classical and symphonic music within reach. The organization has built its mission around inviting spaces that are open to everyone, and that includes making sure the audience, the programming, and the people on stage actually reflect the community sitting in the seats. The Young Friends Program is the next piece of that mission, aimed squarely at removing the cost barrier that keeps a lot of young adults and families from ever walking through the doors.
A Partnership with First Interstate Bank
The Young Friends Program didn’t come together on its own. It was developed in collaboration with First Interstate Bank, which is providing the funding behind it, alongside First Interstate Bank President and CEO Jim Reuter and Billings Symphony leadership.
Reuter, a longtime trumpet player, has a personal stake in this one. He’s especially passionate about giving youth and people from rural communities a way into music they might not otherwise have.
“That’s why First Interstate is investing in programs like this,” Reuter said. “To help open doors and create experiences that might otherwise feel out of reach.” John W. & Carol L.H. Green CEO Mario Lopez echoed that sentiment, tying it back to the symphony’s broader goals.
“It is important to the Billings Symphony that music is accessible to everyone, no matter the age or socioeconomic status,” Lopez said.
How to Get Involved
Ready to grab a seat? Here’s what you need to know.
Who qualifies: Students K-12, college and graduate students, anyone under 30, and Prelude Society members under 40
What you get: Free or deeply discounted admission depending on your category
More information: Call 406-252-3610 or visit the Billings Symphony for full terms and conditions
The Billings Symphony has been part of this community since it was founded as the Billings Symphony Society back in May 1951, and its mission has stayed the same ever since: enrich all lives through music. The Young Friends Program is one more way that mission plays out in real life, one ticket at a time.
You can find the Billings Symphony office at 2820 2nd Ave. N., or reach them by phone at 406-252-3610.
