The Ironhorse Consortium for Young Musicians exists to inspire, educate, and connect people through music. All ensembles introduce classical and contemporary music literature to student musicians of all ages and provide a strong foundation of rehearsal and performance techniques. Through repertoire and educational opportunities, ICYM brings students and audiences a community connection to other cultures and social issues facing our society.
In 2005, Kevin Cleary brought together a handful of young string musicians who 
wanted opportunities to perform challenging orchestral literature. With the help of several years of dedicated students and talented conductors, teachers, and coaches, that small string ensemble has grown into Ironhorse Youth Music and all the programs it administers.
In 2016, Jillian Newton and Maren Marchesini rebooted the Helena Youth Chorus and led a dedicated group of young singers through a fantastic first season. With the youth orchestra venturing into new territory, it was a perfect time to forge a unique partnership that has grown into the Ironhorse Consortium for Young Musicians. Sarah Whitlatch now directs the youth chorus and is excited to continue building this essential Ironhorse ensemble.
In this 2022-2023 season, Ironhorse Youth Music is excited to rehearse all our various ensembles while continuing to offer classes and private lessons that were popular at the start of the pandemic. (You can find detailed information about all our educational endeavors in the programs link of the main menu.) We will always prioritize health and safety for students and our larger community, but we are looking forward to excellent and diverse performances this year. We invite you to join these passionate young artists as they explore and bring beautiful music to the Helena community!
Ironhorse Music appreciates the generous support of these community partners!
