EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING AND PARTNERSHIPS
2021
Virtual Musical Storytime for Pikes Peak Library TV
Coming April 2021
Join a virtual string quartet of musicians from the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs with a narrator to experience some of your favorite children's stories and poems set to popular classical music. Read along with the video, watch musicians up-close and listen as the music unfolds to tell the stories of the Tortoise and the Hare, Goodnight Moon and Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening. The Chamber Orchestra is committed to enriching the community we live in by continuing to promote cultural literacy.
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Virtual Young Artist Competition 2021
Coming April 2021
The Chamber Orchestra of the Springs is hosting our Young Artist Competition in 2021 virtually to continue supporting young musicians in El Paso, Teller, Fremont and Pueblo Counties of Southern Colorado. Applications are open with video submissions due March, 31, 2021. Judging will take place in April with the winners announced May 2, 2021. Winners will have the opportunity to perform with the orchestra at a future date to be determined. This competition supports young musicians with a trajectory in music performance and education by providing audition preparation experience, feedback from professionals in the field of music and a performance opportunity with a professional orchestra.
Virtual Inclusive Family Concert, What Makes You Different Makes You Beautiful
Coming March 2021
The Chamber Orchestra of the Springs and the Colorado Ballet Society have a long history of collaboration, bringing music and dance together in the Pikes Peak region. Both strive to serve our community by continuing the quest to be more inclusive through longstanding programs for the elderly, families below the poverty level, veterans, individuals battling illnesses at various stages and more. Together, both organizations provide a feast for our senses through the arts. But what happens when artistic feasts are served to those with sensory sensitives, where social events can turn into distress and judgement quickly takes over? Advocates are calling for arts organizations to offer sensory-friendly opportunities to serve the fastest growing developmental disability in our country, ASD, Autism Spectrum Disorder. According to the National Endowment for the Arts, individuals with disabilities are statistically underrepresented in arts audiences. We believe that we can do better and that music and dance are for everyone. The Chamber Orchestra and the Colorado Ballet Society are proposing a new Family Series for both the general public as well as with sensory friendly adjustments, welcoming individuals with autism, sensory sensitivities, and other disabilities. The message will be it is ok to be exactly who you are and experience the immense joys of music and dance in a public setting. Youth with ASD, Sensory Processing, Post-Traumatic Stress, anxiety, down syndrome, and other sensory, social, and cognitive disabilities have unique and varying needs that often cause them to feel uncomfortable in performances and unable to share the joy of these experiences with family members and caregivers. Studies show that music and dance have a profoundly positive affect on children with disabilities yet there are no inclusive sensory friendly concerts in our community. The orchestra plans to leverage the expertise of the ASD organization and experts and use national guidelines to configure the performances in the appropriate sensory-friendly formats.
What is a sensory-friendly event? At Sensory Friendly performances, sensory modifications are balanced with preserving the engaging artistic experience desired by all. Expect a relaxed and gently environment in terms of light and sound, as well as a welcoming attitude that encourages movement and expression. Expect fun, interactive music-making with top-rate chamber musicians and dancers. Expect an environment where manipulatives, headphones, cushions, other sensory support objects are encouraged and a quiet area is available. Expect access to pre-visit materials to help families plan ahead of time. These are family concerts open to everyone, in a safe, inclusive environment where children and families can experience a quality, meaningful performance together. We are challenging ourselves and our community to think differently about inclusiveness in the arts!
What is a sensory-friendly event? At Sensory Friendly performances, sensory modifications are balanced with preserving the engaging artistic experience desired by all. Expect a relaxed and gently environment in terms of light and sound, as well as a welcoming attitude that encourages movement and expression. Expect fun, interactive music-making with top-rate chamber musicians and dancers. Expect an environment where manipulatives, headphones, cushions, other sensory support objects are encouraged and a quiet area is available. Expect access to pre-visit materials to help families plan ahead of time. These are family concerts open to everyone, in a safe, inclusive environment where children and families can experience a quality, meaningful performance together. We are challenging ourselves and our community to think differently about inclusiveness in the arts!
Virtual Instructional Music Library of Recordings for Area High School Students
January 2021 - May 2021
In the promotion of understanding and cooperation between business and schools within the Colorado Springs community, The Chamber Orchestra of the Springs and all D-11 Secondary Music Programs have entered into a partnership in education to support student achievement and to provide mutual assistance and benefit through shared time and resources. The goal of this partnership is to create a Long Lasting Resource for the Secondary Music Programs by creating a Video Music Library for students and teachers to reference to support online learning. The objectives of this partnership are to create a Video Music Library that the entire District has access to while in partnership with the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs. Support District 11’s move to the one to one online Based Platform during the time of COVID-19, creating a lasting Resource that can be continually added to, and support the District’s USIP of preparing the students for a world yet to be imagined. Demonstrate the possible career choice for youth in the field of the Fine Arts
The effectiveness of our partnership will be measured by Completion of the designated activities, Feedback from students, parents, teachers and community members involved in the partnership activities, consistent and timely communication between the partners, creation of a Partnership in Education committee to facilitate partnership activities and completion of an end-of-year partnership evaluation form distributed by Volunteer Services.
The effectiveness of our partnership will be measured by Completion of the designated activities, Feedback from students, parents, teachers and community members involved in the partnership activities, consistent and timely communication between the partners, creation of a Partnership in Education committee to facilitate partnership activities and completion of an end-of-year partnership evaluation form distributed by Volunteer Services.
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2020
Virtual Young Artist Competition 2020
April 2020
The Chamber Orchestra of the Springs is hosted our second Young Artist Competition in 2020 virtually after the shutdown to continue supporting young musicians in El Paso, Teller, Fremont and Pueblo Counties of Southern Colorado. Out of 21 applicants, 6 talented winners were selected who will have a future opportunity to perform with the orchestra at a date to be determined. This competition supports young musicians with a trajectory in music performance and education by providing audition preparation experience, feedback from professionals in the field of music and a performance opportunity with a professional orchestra.
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Interrupted: Suppressed Composers of the Holocaust Lecture at Colorado College
March 4, 2020
Interrupted, A Project of Suppressed Voices of the Holocaust, aims to present works by composers whose lives were ended by the Nazi regime. Music interrupted by the Holocaust has been documented by musicologist to be on equal footing with other 20th century creatives yet for more than 75 years has remained largely unknown and rarely performed. This project is not meant to memorialize but rather give a voice to those who were silenced. The recovery and performance of these composers helps restore their place in music history and repair a major rupture in the soul of 20th century classical music. Performances will be complemented by archival photographs of the composers and their lives with full sensitivity to the ethics of Holocaust representation, as well an in-depth lecture by Ofer Ben-Amots, Department Chair, Colorado College and an informational display from the Greenberg Center for Learning and Tolerance. Students from Colorado College were invited and in attendance.
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2019
Young Artist Competition 2019 at Graner Music
March 23, 2019
On March 23, 2019, the Chamber Orchestra help its first annual Young Artist Competition at Graner Music and judged by Thomas Wilson, Jacob Klock, Sara McDaniel and Don Th. Jaeger. The contest consisted of 23 entrants performing in the categories of strings, brass, woodwinds and piano. This year’s outstanding student soloists in the Senior Division are pianist Benjamin Randall (12th Grade The Classical Academy), violinist Emma Johnson (11th Grade Colorado Springs Early Colleges), pianist Ian Patterson (11th Grade Pine Creek High School), oboist Meera Bhatia (11th Grade Lewis Palmer High School), pianist Seohee Kayle Yang (9th Grade Cheyenne Mountain High School) and in the Junior Division, bassoonist Raleigh Eversole (8th Grade Lewis Palmer Middle School) . "On March 23, 2019, while most people were starting their spring break, an amazing group of young musicians auditioned to perform a concerto with the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs. Their talent, dedication, and love of music was inspiring. Thanks to young people like these, we can be certain that the future of Classical music is very bright," said Music Director, Thomas Wilson. “We applaud the hard work of all of the students who participated in this year’s competition and the continuing work of their teachers," said Orchestra Manager, Pamela Chaddon “We are thrilled to be showcasing such outstanding local talent in a Winner's Showcase for our community." On Sunday, June 2, 2019, the six winners of the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs first annual Young Artist Competition will step into the spotlight as featured soloists with the orchestra. The concert, conducted by Music Director Thomas Wilson, will be given at 2:30 p.m. at Broadmoor Community Church
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Free Youth Subscription Tickets
April 2019 - April 2020
As we rolled out the 2019-2020 Season, we began a pilot program to offer free youth subscriptions to the full season with the purchase of an adult subscription.
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V-Vox with the Colorado Springs Children's Chorale & Area High Schools
May 11, 2019
The orchestra will once again be supporting the Summit Ensemble of the Colorado Springs Children's Chorale, choir students from area high schools in a public performance of Mozart’s Requiem for the 7th annual X-VOX: Generations Joined in Song Festival.
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Puccini Double Bill with the Youth Summer Vocal Arts Festival
July 20 & 21, 2019
Presented as Opera Theatre of the Rockies’ 21st season, the renowned Vocal Arts Festival has served 800 young singers in its 18-year history. Forty-one voice students and young performers ranging in age from college to post-college, young professionals will participate in this summer’s three-week Intensive Program of individualized voice coaching and singing, acting and dance classes. Part of VAF’s mission is to help singers broaden their performance skills. And so, they will participate in five public performances and two operas performed with an orchestra, along with Guest Artists at Colorado College, June 30-July 21. With this year’s Mentorship Initiative, there will be time for singers to network individually with Craig Terry, Music Director of Chicago Lyric Opera’s Ryan Artists Training Center and Peter Randsman, Founder and Artist Agent of the Randsman Artist Management of New York City. The Grand Finale of this year’s Festival is the presentation of two opera performances of the “Puccini Double Bill” featuring VAF participants and Guest Artists in Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi at the Cornerstone Arts Complex, Celeste Theatre on July 20 and 21.
Dinosaur Family Concert at the Dinosaur Resource Center, Woodland Park
August 17, 2019
Travel back 67 million years at the Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center in Woodland Park and discover the life and times of Tyrannosaurus Sue as she competes with a tricky Troodon, chases a Parasaurolophus, and battles with a menacing Triceratops! “Tyrannosaurus Sue” - a musical work by Bruce Adolphe for chamber orchestra and narrator - follows the story of Sue, the world-famous T-Rex, on her journey from birth to old age. Written for oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, strings, and percussion, Tyrannosaurus Sue is a narrated concerto Á la “Peter and the Wolf”. The role of Sue is played by the trombone, the French horn plays the triceratops and the clarinet plays the troodon, a bird-like dinosaur and more! The program will also include a favorite selection from Jurassic Park! This family-friendly concert will end with an instrument petting zoo, courtesy of Graner Music.
Admission includes concert and full access to the Dinosaur Resource Center Museum.
Admission includes concert and full access to the Dinosaur Resource Center Museum.
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Pedals, Pipes and Pizza with the American Guild of Organists, COS Chapter
September 14, 2019
In September 2019, the orchestra again partnered with the American Guild of Organists Colorado Springs Chapter and OrgelKids USA to offer Pedals, Pipes and Pizza, an educational outreach of our Organ Spectacular concert. The Pedals, Pipes, and Pizza program was, at its core, a way to introduce young musicians to the pipe organ and foster excitement about classical music. The structure of the morning was broken up into four parts: live performance and demonstration; building a working pipe organ; playing the First Congregational Church organ; and eating pizza together with the adult participants from the program at First Christian Church. Participants were then provided with tickets to attend the Organ Spectacular the following day. Organist David Acton, who assisted with the event said, “The generosity of the Chamber Orchestra's Education Department in providing participants and families with free tickets to the Organ Spectacular Concert allowed for the participants to hear the organ and the symphony orchestra live. Their knowledge and experience from the day before gave ownership and accessibility to the concert and hopefully encouraged interest in coming to future performances!”
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Music and Movement at Pikes Peak Library District
September 25 and 27, 2019
October 15 and 18, 2019
October 15 and 18, 2019
Come and enjoy a special Music and Movement program with a musician from the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs. Dance and wiggle to live music and learn about an amazing instrument. This special program will be for children age 2 – 5.
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Musical Storytime at Pikes Peak Library District
November 2, 2019
Musicians from the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs will present a Musical Storytime with familiar stories accompanied by classical favorites including Scheherazade and the Arabian Nights and The Three Little Pigs with Beethoven! Afterward children age 5 - 12 can enjoy an exploration session with a musical instrument facilitated by one of the musicians.
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2018
X-Vox with the Colorado Springs Children's Chorale and Area High Schools
April 15, 2018
The orchestra supported the Chamber Singers, the Summit Ensemble of the Colorado Springs Children's Chorale, choir students from Air Academy, Fountain-Fort Carson, Peyton & Pine Creek High Schools and Pikes Peak Community College in a public performance of Ola Gjeilo's Sunrise Mass for the 6th annual X-VOX: Generations Joined in Song Festival. The orchestra also provide financial support to the performance through its Collaboration Enabling Support budget line to cover extra venue expenses at the UCCS Ent Center and Maestro Wilson made a special arrangement for the program.
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Destination: Space at the Space Foundation Discovery Center
June 27, 2018
In June 2018, we presented Destination: Space in partnership with the Space Foundation Discovery Center. This free-to-the community event of science & art featured original work, The Constellations, by the local composer Jonathan Peters, NASA visuals, hands-on activities, educational exhibits, instrument petting zoo, and a post-concert star viewing party. Due to large demand the orchestra scheduled two sold-out performances to accommodate 400 attendees. This event garnered significant community interest and won the PeakArtsPrize 2018 in the large organization category.
Full event documentation is given at the orchestra website:
Full event documentation is given at the orchestra website:
What If? Festival Downtown Colorado Springs
September 8, 2018
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Pedals, Pipes and Pizza with the American Guild of Organists, COS Chapter
September 8, 2018
In September 2018, the orchestra partnered with the American Guild of Organists Colorado Springs Chapter and OrgelKids USA to offer Pedals, Pipes and Pizza, an educational outreach of our Organ Spectacular concert. The Pedals, Pipes, and Pizza program was, at its core, a way to introduce young musicians to the pipe organ and foster excitement about classical music. The structure of the morning was broken up into four parts: live performance and demonstration; building a working pipe organ; playing the First Congregational Church organ; and eating pizza together with the adult participants from the program at First Christian Church. Participants were then provided with tickets to attend the Organ Spectacular the following day. Organist David Acton, who assisted with the event said, “The generosity of the Chamber Orchestra's Education Department in providing participants and families with free tickets to the Organ Spectacular Concert allowed for the participants to hear the organ and the symphony orchestra live. Their knowledge and experience from the day before gave ownership and accessibility to the concert and hopefully encouraged interest in coming to future performances!”
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Conduct the Orchestra ARTPOP at Ivywilde School
October 8, 2018
In October 2018, the Chamber Orchestra was selected as one of 20 ARTPOP events throughout the city for ArtsOctober to present “Conduct the Orchestra” at Ivywilde School. The event was free and open to the public. Attendees of all ages and experiences got a chance to learn what it is like to conduct and orchestra and take a shot a leading the group through various popular and classical favorites. The results were a lively, fun and educational evening for all. A free baton was given away at the end of the event.
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String Extravaganza! The Year of the Dragon! at Mitchell High School
October 20, 2018
String Extravaganza! Year of the Dragon! was organized by Sabrina Baugh, Director of Music at Mitchell High School. Middle and High School String students from the Pikes Peak Region were invited to a full day of learning and performance of Dragon-themed music at Mitchell High School. Chamber Orchestra members provided sectionals and coaching in the morning and performed alongside the students in the afternoon. Maestro Wilson took the baton for several pieces and taught the students new ways to work together as an ensemble, listening skills and orchestra technique.
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Amahl and the Night Visitors with the Colorado Springs Conservatory
November 29, 2018
Colorado Springs Conservatory and the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs presented Amahl and the Night Visitors at Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts on Wednesday and Thursday, November 28-29. This colorful, enchanting one-act light opera written by American composer Gian Carlo Menotti is sung in English and is accessible for all ages. Originally commissioned by NBC in 1951 and first performed by the NBC Opera Theatre, Amahl and the Night Visitors is the first opera that was specifically composed for television in the United States. Students from District 11 were brought in for two daytime performances at no cost. Evening performances were offered for the whole community.
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The Very Quiet Cricket - Cello in a Box at Area Elementary Schools
May 3, 2018 & December 4, 2018
On May 3, 2018, our Principal Cellist, Gerald Miller, visited 2nd and 3rd graders at Kilmer Elementary in Lewis-Palmer District 38 presenting a program entitled "Cello in a Box" to around 60 students. There was a sign language assistant present to interpret the program to several hearing-impaired children. In addition to his performance he demonstrated how one can construct a "home-made" cello by using a box with a rubber band, eraser, and comb. One attendant at the event stated “I was particularly impressed by the reaction of the young boys in attendance. Their reaction was so positive and engaging and I believe the program enabled them to see instrumental music as a valid vocation and Gerald as a positive role model in this vocation.” This program was then presented again on December 4, 2018 at The DaVinci Academy as part of their STEAM programming.
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A Colorado Nutcracker with the Colorado Ballet Society
December 22 & 23, 2018
The Colorado Ballet Society and the Colorado Youth Ballet will present A Colorado Nutcracker at the Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts on December 22 and 23 in collaboration with Thomas Wilson and the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs. “Our unique Nutcracker highlights the fascinating local history surrounding the founding families of Colorado Springs,” said Ballet Society and Youth Ballet founder and director, Patricia Hoffman. “The opening scene shows the officers of the Salvation Army escorting local orphans to Glen Eyrie for the traditional Palmer Christmas celebration. And Nikola Tesla, the world famous electrical engineer, is seen making his final party preparations at the historic Antlers Hotel, before heading out to the castle with some electrifying surprises for the General’s guests.”
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2017
Brubeck Brothers Workshop at Colorado College
February 7 & 8, 2017
On February 7 & 8, 2017, special jazz/chamber fusion concert soloists, members of the Brubeck Brothers Quartet gave a workshop-masterclass for young musicians from Colorado College and the area. As shown in the photos below the workshop ended with quartet musicians playing along with some workshop participants in a jam session.
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X-Vox with the Colorado Springs Children's Chorale and area High Schools
May 7, 2017
The orchestra supported the Chamber Singers of the Colorado Springs Chorale, the Summit Ensemble of the Colorado Springs Children's Chorale and choir students from Liberty High School, Fountain-Fort Carson High School, North High School, and Noel Community Arts School in a public performance of Vaughan Williams' Dona Nobis Pacem, a poignant prayer for peace, for the 5th annual X-VOX: Generations Joined in Song Festival. The concert also included other brief presentations by the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs, the Chamber Singers, and the Summit Ensemble. The orchestra also provide financial support to the performance through its Collaboration Enabling Support budget line. An audience email stated: “I simply wanted to tell you how fabulous the performance of the X-VOX program was ..it was a VERY moving performance of a MOST powerful program!!”
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Poetry, Literature and Music at Area High Schools
May 11, 2017
On May 11, 2017, a string quartet from the orchestra presented a program at Mitchell and Mesa Ridge High Schools focusing on how poetry, literature and other text have and continue to drive musical creativity based on the music of Schubert, Mozart and Dvorak, and discussing of what to listen in their music. The program included in-depth handouts for the students. An observer stated “I was so impressed by how engaged the kids were and their interest and questions. I think the program worked well for both the music students as well as the English/Lit students.”
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Strings in the Springs Music Camp
June 11-15, 2017
On June 11-15, 2017, orchestra musicians supported coaching and master classes for Strings in the Springs Camp at Mitchell High School specifically organized for dedicated orchestra students of limited means.
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Masterclass with Composer, Ingrid Stölzel at Colorado College
October 16, 2017
On October 16, 2017, our guest composer Ingrid Stölzel presented an Educational Outreach visit to the Colorado College following performances of her work Soul Journey. The host professor and composer Ofer Ben-Amots described the visit in an email:
“After watching four original operas created and produced by the students, she gave them valuable feedback with much praise and some constructive criticism. During the afternoon Ingrid spent two hours with our advanced music majors. She answered questions and regarding graduate studies in various musical fields and gave advice to students based on their respective interests such as composition, theory, music industry, recording, and production. These were two wonderful sessions and we are grateful to the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs who enabled this great visit!"
“After watching four original operas created and produced by the students, she gave them valuable feedback with much praise and some constructive criticism. During the afternoon Ingrid spent two hours with our advanced music majors. She answered questions and regarding graduate studies in various musical fields and gave advice to students based on their respective interests such as composition, theory, music industry, recording, and production. These were two wonderful sessions and we are grateful to the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs who enabled this great visit!"
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Capriol Suite with Mitchell and Widefield High Schools
December 5-11, 2017
Orchestra coaching and side-by-side playing with instrumentalists from area high schools in community performances. In this pilot project based on the Capriol Suite, 5 orchestra principal musicians ran coaching sectionals with students Mitchell and Widefield High Schools, and Music Director Thomas Wilson worked with orchestra directors about score study and practicing conducting/planning, gestures, and the process of arranging music. Thomas also rehearsed entire combined ensemble with musicians from the orchestra joining the sections for the performance at Widefield HS. A participating director emailed later “For weeks following the experience many of the students would repeat bits of advice that they heard in their individual sectionals. This gave them a sense confidence and ownership of their own playing. Thomas's encouragement to "take risk" has become a classroom motto in way of encouraging each other.”
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2016
A Childhood Miracle with the Colorado Springs Conservatory
January 30 & 31, 2016
Continuing our tradition of working collaboratively with other arts organizations, the Chamber Orchestra joined the Colorado Springs Conservatory for a rare and powerful performance of Rorem’s A Childhood Miracle. It’s was truly a musical journey of light, dreams, and time.
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Soundpainting with University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
March 5 & 6, 2016
Musicians, educators, dancers, actors and visual artists were invited to participate in a free interdisciplinary creative experience featuring Soundpainting, a multidisciplinary live composing sign language. The Chamber Orchestra of the Springs, the Visual and Performing Arts Department, and the Music Program at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs hosted two Soundpainting - A Language for Creativity workshops led by the creator of Soundpainting, Walter Thompson, on Saturday, March 5, from 10AM to 5PM, and Sunday, March 6 from 2- 5PM. Workshops were held at the Upper Lodge, 1420 Austin Bluffs Dr. 80918 on the UCCS campus. No prior experience was needed to learn the Soundpainting sign language. Workshops were intended for adults, college-age and older. The Saturday workshop was an in-depth exploration of the Soundpainting scheduled from 10 AM to 5 PM with a break for lunch. During the workshop, each participant learned the basic 44 gestures as a performer and also as a Soundpainter – a composer in real time. They learned what each gesture means, how to play it and how to sign it. After completing the first 44 gestures, participants continued learning and expanding their vocabulary and began exploring live composition concepts with the Soundpainting language. The Sunday 2-5PM workshop provided a basic introduction to the techniques and allowed participants to begin exploring possibilities. Musicians, dancers, actors and visual artists equally worked together in the same group and were allowed to videotape for private use.
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Marita and Her Heart's Desire Children's Program at Pikes Peak Library
June 4, 2016
Our fifth family friendly concert took place again at the PPLD 21C atrium on June 4, 2016. The program contained Marita & Her Heart's Desire, an inspirational Chamber Music Fairy Tale also by Bruce Adolphe, about a little girl’s search for her heart’s desire and Ferdinand the Bull for violin and narrator by Alan Ridout . The concert concluded with an instrument 'petting zoo' sponsored by Graner School Music.
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Carnival of the Animals at Monument Academy
October 5, 2016
Our sixth outreach concert, Carnival of the Animals, took place at the Monument Academy on October 5, 2016. The sponsoring teacher stated later in an email “Our 321 third-fifth grade students were mesmerized by the performance. The students responded to the performance with a rousing standing-ovation, applauding the musicians as if they were “rock stars.” Equally wonderful were the student questions during the follow-up Q&A period. They clearly identified with the musicians and eagerly shared their creative aspirations.
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Amahl and the Night Visitors with the Colorado Springs Conservatory
December 6, 2016
Colorado Springs Conservatory and the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs presented Amahl and the Night Visitors at Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts on December 6, 2016. This colorful, enchanting one-act light opera written by American composer Gian Carlo Menotti is sung in English and is accessible for all ages. Originally commissioned by NBC in 1951 and first performed by the NBC Opera Theatre, Amahl and the Night Visitors is the first opera that was specifically composed for television in the United States. Students from District 11 were brought in for two daytime performances at no cost. Evening performances were offered for the whole community.
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2015
Violin Masterclass with Guest Artist, Mark Fewer at Middle Schools
February 27, 2015
On February 27, 2015, Mark Fewer gave a Demo/Master Class/Talk, entitled "What you will and won't hear from a breathing violin: self-expression in an age of endless innovation" to around 50 orchestra students at Jack Swigert Aerospace Academy Middle School (JSAA). JSAA is a Title 1 school with a primary demographic base of Hispanics and African Americans.
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Dinosaur Family Concert at Pikes Peak Library District
April 26, 2015
In our fourth free-to-the-public family concerton April 26, 2015 we presented Tyrannosaurus Sue, A Cretaceous Concerto by Bruce Adolphe, at PPLD Library 21C Atrium where the audience of ~250 was free to interact with the musicians and two autonomously moving balloon dinosaurs.
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Clarinet Masterclass with Guest Artist, Emirhan Tuga at Colorado College
April 27 & 29, 2015
On April 27 & 29, 2015, our Season Finale guest soloist, Amsterdam based clarinetist Emirhan Tuga, gave a Master Class for high school students at the Colorado College.
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2014
Meet the Orchestra Concert with Instrument Petting Zoo
February 1, 2014
Our Meet-the-Orchestra (MTO) concerts, typically accompanied by a hands-on instrument "petting" zoo, arose from our strategic plan to engage young audiences with interactive formats. The orchestra musicians spread out in an orchestra-in-the-round format and children are invited to move through and around the orchestra for a close-up view of the instruments in motion. Our first program took place January 7, 2012 at First Christian Church downtown Colorado Springs, our second program took place on April 6, 2013 at the Citadel Mall Imagination Celebration Space and our third program took place February 1, 2014 at First Christian Church. A sample audience feedback from our second program at the Citadel Mall Imagination Celebration Space, summarizes the audience experience quite well. These events attracted very diverse audiences of around 250 youth and parents, many attending a concert for the first time.
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Horn Masterclass with Guest Artist, Jesse McCormick at Community Colleges
April 25, 2014
On April 25, 2014, our Season Finale guest soloist Jesse McCormick of the Cleveland Orchestra gave a French Horn Master Class at the Pikes Peak Community College. Seven aspiring students attended it from CSU-Pueblo, PPCC, Colorado College, University of Denver and High Schools in Pueblo and Colorado Springs.
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Hip Hop Opera, The Jogger and the Dinosaur at Mitchell High School
April 30, 2014
The year-long collaboration with D11 Mitchell High School (which has a substantial minority and low-income student population) expanded upon Pulitzer Prize-winning Morton Gould's Hip Hop Opera "The Jogger and the Dinosaur" with student created music, lyrics & dance, under Maestro Wilson's mentorship. Middle and high school orchestra members performed side by side with our orchestra musicians during the two performances. The general public performance was preceded by a morning show attended by a large number of students (~250) from Mitchell feeder elementary schools
http://youtu.be/BlzX-xG4KPE
http://youtu.be/0i0eeK4M3O0
http://youtu.be/qQqvsSb_FZM
Post project, the lead Mitchell teacher Sabrina Baugh stated "The students that I collaborated with have a new respect for the life and work of musicians and we have a bond that can never be broken, they will be involved with music for a long time to come."
http://youtu.be/BlzX-xG4KPE
http://youtu.be/0i0eeK4M3O0
http://youtu.be/qQqvsSb_FZM
Post project, the lead Mitchell teacher Sabrina Baugh stated "The students that I collaborated with have a new respect for the life and work of musicians and we have a bond that can never be broken, they will be involved with music for a long time to come."
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Musical Storytime at Pikes Peak Library District
November 9, 2013 & May 17, 2014
Join musicians of the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs and narrator for a musical journey through the Tortoise and the Hare, the Three Little Pigs, and the Big Red Barn all while enjoying Beethoven's 5th Symphony, Copland's Appalachian Spring and more. After these musical stories, children are invited to experience a violin, a viola, and a cello up close. An enriching cultural experience combining literacy and music! http://youtu.be/2m6cKqQ6HDI
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2013
Harp Masterclass with Guest Artist, Matthew Tutsky at Corpus Christi School
February 2013
http://youtu.be/Jq_RRGcvtD4
In February 2013, soloist Matthew Tutsky gave a harp demo/lecture at Corpus Christi School.
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Meet the Orchestra at Imagination Celebration
April 6, 2013
Meet the Orchestra is an exciting, interactive musical event for children featuring selections of music that highlight the sounds and sights of the different instrument groups in the orchestra. The orchestra musicians are spread out in an orchestra-in-the-round format. Children are invited to move through and around the orchestra for a close-up view of the instruments in motion as selections by Vivaldi, Handel, Haydn and more are played.
Before and after the concert, children experienced a hands-on instrument petting zoo sponsored by Graner Music.
One family's blog of the event !!!
Our Meet-the-Orchestra (MTO) concerts, typically accompanied by a hands-on instrument "petting" zoo, arose from our strategic plan to engage young audiences with interactive formats. The orchestra musicians spread out in an orchestra-in-the-round format and children are invited to move through and around the orchestra for a close-up view of the instruments in motion. Our first program took place January 7, 2012 at First Christian Church downtown Colorado Springs, our second program took place on April 6, 2013 at the Citadel Mall Imagination Celebration Space and our third program took place February 1, 2014 at First Christian Church. A sample audience feedback from our second program at the Citadel Mall Imagination Celebration Space, summarizes the audience experience quite well. These events attracted very diverse audiences of around 250 youth and parents, many attending a concert for the first time.
Before and after the concert, children experienced a hands-on instrument petting zoo sponsored by Graner Music.
One family's blog of the event !!!
Our Meet-the-Orchestra (MTO) concerts, typically accompanied by a hands-on instrument "petting" zoo, arose from our strategic plan to engage young audiences with interactive formats. The orchestra musicians spread out in an orchestra-in-the-round format and children are invited to move through and around the orchestra for a close-up view of the instruments in motion. Our first program took place January 7, 2012 at First Christian Church downtown Colorado Springs, our second program took place on April 6, 2013 at the Citadel Mall Imagination Celebration Space and our third program took place February 1, 2014 at First Christian Church. A sample audience feedback from our second program at the Citadel Mall Imagination Celebration Space, summarizes the audience experience quite well. These events attracted very diverse audiences of around 250 youth and parents, many attending a concert for the first time.
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Free Ticket Vouchers for Pikes Peak Library Summer Readers
June 1 - July 31, 2013
We collaborated with the PPLD Summer Reading Programs by offering free ticket vouchers to 2,996 summer readers in the Pikes Peak region
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All Pikes Peak Read Cellist of Sarajevo at Colorado College
October 16, 2013
The Chamber Orchestra supported Pikes Peak Library District's ALL PIKES PEAK READS book selection, Steven Galloway's Cellist of Sarajevo by presenting a program of David Wilde's Cellist of Sarajevo for unaccompanied cello and Croatian composer, Dora Pejačević's Sonata for Cello and Piano. The program included various lectures. In addition, six cellists presented Arvo Pärt's Fratres in a special performance during our regular concert season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UV1xGfFFO0U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UV1xGfFFO0U
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Violin Masterclass with Guest Artist, EdKelly Sanford for Area High Schoolers
October 2013
http://youtu.be/vxBgCGGhD2E
In October 2013, soloist EdKelly Sanford, from the Royal Academy of Music, London, gave a demo-lecture to 65 orchestra students at Jack Swigert Aerospace Academy (JSAA) Middle School. JSAA is a Title 1 school with a primary demographic base of Hispanics and African Americans. It was recorded by D11 TV Channel 16 for further dissemination. Following the lecture, Mr. Sanford gave a master class at Colorado College for aspiring high school, college and young adult soloists.
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Trumpet Masterclass with Guest Artist, Manny Laureano at UCCS
October 2013
In October 2013, soloist Manny Laureano demo-lecture to 200 North Middle School band and orchestra students, public lecture and master class at UCCS.
http://youtu.be/m8A03Ilddso
http://youtu.be/S_pvsEn7Xw8
http://youtu.be/m8A03Ilddso
http://youtu.be/S_pvsEn7Xw8
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2012
Meet the Orchestra with Instrument Petting Zoo at First Christian Church
January 7, 2012
Meet the Orchestra is an exciting, interactive musical event for children featuring selections of music that highlight the sounds and sights of the different instrument groups in the orchestra. The orchestra musicians are spread out in an orchestra-in-the-round format. Children are invited to move through and around the orchestra for a close-up view of the instruments in motion as selections by Vivaldi, Handel, Haydn and more are played. Before and after the concert, children experienced a hands-on instrument petting zoo sponsored by Graner Music. Our Meet-the-Orchestra (MTO) concerts, typically accompanied by a hands-on instrument "petting" zoo, arose from our strategic plan to engage young audiences with interactive formats. The orchestra musicians spread out in an orchestra-in-the-round format and children are invited to move through and around the orchestra for a close-up view of the instruments in motion. Our first program took place January 7, 2012 at First Christian Church downtown Colorado Springs, our second program took place on April 6, 2013 at the Citadel Mall Imagination Celebration Space and our third program took place February 1, 2014 at First Christian Church. A sample audience feedback from our second program at the Citadel Mall Imagination Celebration Space, summarizes the audience experience quite well at http://www.chamberorchestraofthesprings.org/meet-the-orchestra-april-2013.html . These events attracted very diverse audiences of around 250 youth and parents, many attending a concert for the first time.
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Musical Family Fairytale Concert at the What If? Festival
September 15, 2012
Earlier we crafted an original children concert program and supported the 2012 Imagination Celebration WhatIf Festival in a free to the public, outdoor performance
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Conductor Masterclass with Thomas Wilson at area Middle Schools
October 2012
In October 2012, Maestro Wilson visited Jenkins Middle School to work with the school orchestra
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