A Colorado Springs Landmark Event:
The Chamber Orchestra of the Springs and the Gospel Music Workshop of America
Win the Inaugural Art Creates Community Award and Present the Unique and Exciting Community in Unison Concert
In 2010, the Community in Unison concert, featuring the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs and singers from the Gospel Music Workshop of America, was the first recipient of the $10,000 Art Creates Community grant from the Bee Vradenburg Foundation and the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado.
“This gale-force performance by both the choir and the orchestra … was profound and exhilarating … it brought together not-so-different communities for a powerful experience.”-- The Gazette
“I came here tonight so discouraged over how 9-11 seems to be tearing us apart as Americans–this concert gave me renewed hope about how we can all come together via the medium of music and people who care” –Audience member
The chamber music virtuosity combined with the explosive energy of a gospel choir packed the First United Methodist Church. Gazette Arts Writer Tracy Mobley-Martinez singled out the event as the 2011 “Best of the Springs” Best Concert,writing, “This concert did what it promised: it brought together not-so-different communities for a powerful experience.”
Mobley-Martinez wrote, “I hope that the collaboration of these two groups will be seen again soon. Like this mingling of music and voice, great things can come when what seems to keep us apart brings us together.”
The collaboration returns on Sept.9 at 6 p.m. with a new name and new venue. This free outdoor concert will be held each of the next three years in honor of Charles Ansbacher, former music director of the Springs Symphony Orchestra, and Bee Vradenburg, the symphony’s former general manager. Together the pair organized several summer concerts, including the “Fabulous Fourth” orchestral concerts in Memorial Park.
“Charles and Bee were devoted friends and passionate visionaries who loved this city and believed in the power of music to build community,” said Phil Kendall, president of the Bee Vradenburg Foundation.
