The Great Falls Symphony is seeking public input as it develops its strategic plan for the next five years.

Within the first week, the survey had more than 200 responses, but Hillary Shepherd, symphony executive director, said they’re hoping to gather more feedback, especially from locals who have never attended a performance or have only gone to one or a few performances but don’t have season tickets.

[Get more information here, or take the survey directly here]

She said that so far in the survey, a top response is complaints about the seats in the Mansfield Theater at the city-owned Civic Center.

Shepherd said the city’s planned seat replacement project will help address that long held complaint from many symphony goers.

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On Aug. 6, City Commissioners voted to approve $400,000 in tax increment financing fund support toward a project that includes the seat replacement, fixing the theater ceiling and upgrading the Civic Center elevator. The project is primarily funded through grants and state funds.

Shepherd said the symphony leadership is also looking to act quickly on some of the top feedback items from the survey so far.

She said that coat check has come up a lot again in this survey so they’re looking at ways to do that in partnership with the youth orchestra.

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Another option they’re working to add soon is having some catering at symphony performances with wine and hors d’oeuvres.

Some other improvements they’re planning will take a longer, such as adding a summer concert, Shepherd said.

It’s the most comprehensive strategic planning the symphony has ever undergone and it’s being led by a board appointed committee that includes a mix of board members, staff, musicians and community members, Shepherd said.

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Gathering community feedback for their strategic plan will help guide the symphony’s direction for the next five years and give its leaders better data as to what will perform well in the community, use the data to apply for grants and secure more collaborations.

One of those collaborations will be their season opening concert on Oct. 5 with the C.M. Russell Museum.

The concert, Rodeo, will feature Westen music and the museum will project art by Russell and O.C. Seltzer. The museum will also have art on display in the Civic Center. Shepherd said that more details will be available soon.

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The symphony will be playing Ferde Grofe’s Grand Canyon Suite, Libby Larsen’s Deep Summer Music, and Aaron Copeland’s timeless Rodeo and Fanfare for the Common Man.

The opener of the symphony’s 66th season will be the farewell season for Grant Harville, the symphony’s music director who is leaving Great Falls.

Shepherd said they’re posting the music director position soon.

The symphony will be accepting survey responses through the end of August.

Participants don’t have to provide their contact information, but those who do will be entered into a drawing to win a pair of season tickets.