Local author Ron Rockwell will from his book, U.S. Army in Frontier Montana, at The Elling House Arts & Humanities Center on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m.
Rockwell’s history of the U.S. Army in early Montana includes early explorations and surveys; efforts to secure the Bozeman Trail; the establishment of Fort Shaw, Fort Ellis, and the stationing of troops at Fort Benton (1867); and the subsequent establishment of Camp Baker (1870) and Fort Missoula (1877). The book also details life at the posts. A thorough description (including the rationale and consequences) of the Piegan (1870), Sioux–Northern Cheyenne (1876–1881), and Nez Perce (1877) campaigns is also featured.
Rockwell was raised on a farm near Fort Shaw, Mont. He attended the University of Montana, the University of Heidelberg (Germany), and Middlebury College Graduate School. During his college years he was employed for four fire seasons as a smokejumper in Montana and Alaska. Rockwell served with USAID in South Vietnam. After returning to the U.S., he taught in public school and college for five years. In 1974 he was hired as a special agent for the DEA (Drug Enforcement Administration). He retired in 1994 and now lives resides in Virginia City.
Bozeman Symphony’s Far Afield Outreach Program, featuring the OBoze ensemble, will perform a free performance at the Elling House Arts & Humanities Center on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011 at 7 p.m.
OBoze features three talented performers in a delightful ensemble of double reed instruments. Their repertoire spans several centuries of musical styles around the globe. You will hear music from Handel’s “Fireworks,” Beethoven’s trios, Jacob’s trio with a Scottish flair to jazzy tunes and everything in between! Join OBoze for a concert of unique and uplifting music that will please the young and the young at heart.
The Far Afield program, established in 1992, takes Bozeman Symphony chamber ensembles to rural communities to present free performances and share their musical perspectives. Far Afield enables the audience to see, hear and feel the music being created live instead of through the media of television or radio. There are eight ensembles and the Conductor in Residency Program currently on the Far Afield roster.
The Bozeman Symphony offers the Far Afield chamber music program to the communities of south central Montana, making symphonic music available for those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy a live performance of classical music. This program is free to eligible organizations thanks to funding from the Montana Arts Council, Montana Association of Symphony Orchestras, Montana Cultural Trust, and the Bozeman Symphony. This funding supports 18 performances per year. bozemansymphony.org
The Elling House is located at 404 East Idaho Street in Virginia City (just up the hill from the Fire Department).
