Robert Kahn announced as Music Director of Montana’s Great Falls Symphony
A note from Robert
"I am deeply honored and excited to join the Great Falls community as incoming Music Director this season. From the very first moments of my visit, I felt that we were embarking on something very special. Whether it was connecting with the wonderful musicians of the orchestra and chorus, meeting so many audience members after the concert, or even being warmly greeted by people who stopped me on the street and at Luna Coffee Bar, I felt an immediate and genuine sense of welcome. It is rare to encounter a place where music and community are so deeply valued, and I finished my week in Great Falls feeling both inspired and very much at home.
Beyond the music we will share, what excites me most is the future we will build together. During my time in Great Falls, I sensed a feeling expressed by the musicians, staff, and audience: an eagerness to grow and a belief in what this orchestra can become. I see tremendous potential - to grow artistically, to deepen our connections, and to expand our reach throughout the community. In a world that can at times feel disconnected and overwhelming, music has a unique power to unite, inspire, and nourish the spirit. I warmly invite you to join us for this exciting season ahead, and I hope you’ll come say hello, whether in the concert hall or on the street."
For Robert Kahn, conducting is a deeply personal journey, one that combines analytical thinking, expressivity, and a lifelong fascination with sound. Born in the U.S. and raised in Holland, Robert grew up in a home filled with music. “There was always someone playing cello or piano in the house,” he recalls. “Music was just part of everyday life. We often went to classical concerts in Amsterdam.” He connected with music himself at age seven when his mother chose clarinet for him. He quickly found joy in it. He also played piano at home and later studied both instruments formally.
His interest in conducting was sparked during a visit to a music store. While shopping for clarinet music, Robert picked up a full orchestral score of Mahler’s First Symphony. “I fell in love with the idea of seeing the whole picture, every instrument, analyzing the structure, and learning about the history of the piece,” he says. That moment ignited his passion for conducting and a desire to understand music, not just from a single part, but from the conductor’s broader lens.
His love for both music and science led him to consider university in the United States. “In Holland you can’t really get a blended degree like you can in the U.S.,” he explains. “You would have to choose to attend either a conservatory or a university. I wanted to do both and explore the world, so naturally that led me to move here.” Robert pursued a double degree at Johns Hopkins University and the Peabody Conservatory, earning a Bachelor of Science in Physics and a Bachelor of Music in Clarinet Performance.
Read more: Robert’s Candidate Interview
