The Great Falls Symphony Association is proud to announce a momentous $500,000 gift that will forever honor the legacy of Diane and Roy Volk. In recognition of this extraordinary generosity, the Great Falls Symphony Youth Programs will now be named the Diane & Roy Volk Youth Orchestra Programs, encompassing the Youth Orchestra, Sinfonia, and Chamber Music Program.
Diane Volk and her family have been staunch Great Falls Symphony supporters and arts advocates in Great Falls for decades. Together with her late husband, Roy, Diane has championed numerous causes and initiatives that have enriched the Great Falls arts community. Their leadership in business and philanthropy has changed lives.
Gordon Johnson, Music Director Emeritus of the Great Falls Symphony and current Artistic Director, shared:
“For decades Diane Volk has been a significant player in the Symphony’s success in Great Falls. Her family has had a long history of involvement in the growth of our City. She and her family have made countless contributions to civic and social organizations. Diane, with her husband, Roy, were instrumental in promoting businesses which have been notable in our City’s economic development. Her staunch belief in the Great Falls Symphony’s educational component has inspired her to underwrite the Diane and Roy Volk Youth Orchestra Programs which will support the Youth Orchestra, Sinfonia and the Chamber Music Program. Diane is the perfect example of a visionary who stands behind the quality of life that the Symphony brings to Great Falls.”
Hillary Shepherd, Executive Director of the Great Falls Symphony, expressed deep appreciation:
“We are overwhelmed with gratitude for Diane Volk’s generosity. An unrestricted gift of this magnitude is the ultimate vote of confidence in the Great Falls Symphony, and its impact will be felt across our entire organization. This extraordinary support provides us with the flexibility to meet our greatest needs and seize our most exciting opportunities, ensuring artistic excellence and educational outreach for years to come. It is a transformative gift that empowers us to dream bigger, and we are profoundly grateful for Diane’s belief in our mission.”
Kyara Nelsen, Youth Orchestra Conductor and Youth Programs Coordinator, added:
“The students of the Great Falls Youth Orchestra, Sinfonia, and Youth Chamber Music programs are among the most dedicated, passionate, and warm-hearted young musicians I have ever had the privilege to conduct. They are truly deserving of the tremendously generous gift given by Diane Volk and her family.
Through these programs, we strive to enrich and expand students’ musical education during their middle- and high-school years. The Youth Orchestra, in particular, offers an essential experience for every young musician: performing in a full symphony orchestra that combines strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. Because this type of ensemble is rarely available in schools, Diane Volk’s gift ensures that the talented musicians of Great Falls will continue to benefit from this vital opportunity.
Words cannot fully express our gratitude to Diane and her family.”
This gift ensures that young musicians in central Montana will continue to have access to high-quality orchestral training, mentorship, and performance opportunities, strengthening the Symphony’s mission of sharing exceptional music and educational programs that inspire and connect our community. Diane has shared that she hopes this gift will encourage others who are considering supporting the Great Falls Symphony and the arts in Great Falls to attend concerts, participate in programs, and sponsor.
By Tia Kanigan, Great Falls Symphony: September 16th, 2025 – Great Falls, Mt
