Soundings: Summer 2024

Photo: From the Hip

Hello friends,

Summer in Colorado is a time like no other – the majestic mountains, the clear blue skies, and the refreshing, crisp air create the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable musical journey. There’s something truly magical about the way music resonates in the open air, and I am delighted to share this experience with all of you.

Our summer season is a testament to the spirit of creativity and community that defines the Colorado Symphony. With that in mind, we have curated a diverse and inspiring lineup that promises to captivate and enchant audiences of all ages. From timeless classics to contemporary masterpieces that will showcase the incredible musicianship of our players in some of the state’s most iconic venues, there’s truly something for everyone.

The summer is highlighted by a return to the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre for collaborations with Trevor Hall (June 9), Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley & Stephen Marley with special guest Burning Spear (June 28), Nas featuring Tobe Nwigwe (June 30), Lake Street Dive (July 21), Jason Mraz (July 28), Guster (August 1), Brandi Carlile (September 6 and 7), and Warren Haynes (September 10).

You won’t want to miss us at the Arvada Center for Mozart under Moonlight (July 6) and A Tribute to Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops (July 26). And we’re delighted for our return to downtown Denver’s McGregor Square for an evening of Mozart (July 10) and a Brass and Percussion showcase (September 4).

Back in Boettcher Concert Hall, we’ll pair an evening of Beethoven with an outdoor beer festival in Sculpture Park for the next installment of our Beethoven and Brews series on July 13. We’re also thrilled to screen the classic film, The Princess Bride, while our orchestra performs every note of Mark Knopfler’s unforgettable score on August 3 and 4.

We can’t thank you enough for your unwavering support and enthusiasm for the Colorado Symphony. Together, let’s make this summer one to remember, filled with the joy and inspiration that only live music can bring.

Warm Regards,

Christopher Dragon Resident Conductor

CONTENTS

PETER OUNDJIAN

PRINCIPAL CONDUCTOR

VIOLIN

Yumi Hwang-Williams

Concertmaster

Mary Rossick Kern and Jerome H. Kern

Concertmaster Chair

Claude Sim

Associate

Concertmaster

Dmitri Pogorelov

Fixed 4th Chair/First

Kate Arndt

Principal Second

Allegra Wermuth

Assistant Principal Second

Alessandra Jennings Flanagan

Fixed 3rd Chair/Second

Sohyun Ahn

Larisa Fesmire

Thomas Hanulik

John Hilton

Anne-Marie Hoffman

Myroslava IvanchenkoBartels

Dorian Kincaid

Karen Kinzie

Yu-Chen Lin

Susan Paik

Miroslaw Pastusiak

Paul Primus

Megan Prokes

Delcho Tenev

Annamaria Vasmatzidis

Bradley Watson

Tena White

Wenting Yuan

CHRISTOPHER

VIOLA

Basil Vendryes

Principal

Catherine Beeson

Assistant Principal

Mary Cowell

Fixed 3rd Chair

Marsha Holmes

Leah Kovach

Helen McDermott

Kelly Shanafelt

Phillip Stevens

CELLO

Seoyoen Min

Principal

Fred & Margaret Hoeppner

Chair

Chloe Hong

Assistant Principal

Judith McIntyre Galecki

Fixed 3rd Chair

Dakota Cotugno

Danielle Guideri

Thomas Heinrich

Margaret Hoeppner

Matthew Switzer

Paul van der Sloot

BASS

Steve Metcalf

Principal

Nicholas Recuber

Assistant Principal

John Arnesen

Jeremy Kincaid

Owen Levine

August Ramos

Mary Reed

FLUTE

Brook Ferguson

Principal Flute

Catherine Peterson 2nd / Assistant

Principal

Tom & Noëy Congdon Chair

Julie Duncan Thornton

PICCOLO

Julie Duncan Thornton

OBOE

Peter Cooper Principal

Irene & David Abosch Chair

Nicholas Tisherman 2nd / Assistant Principal

Jason Lichtenwalter

ENGLISH HORN

Jason Lichtenwalter

CLARINET

Jason Shafer

Principal

Abby Raymond 2nd / Assistant Principal

Nicholas Davies

E-FLAT CLARINET

Abby Raymond

BASS CLARINET

Nicholas Davies

BASSOON

Tristan Rennie

Acting Principal

Roger Soren

CONTRABASSOON

Roger Soren

HORN

Michael Thornton

Principal

Carolyn Kunicki

Kolio Plachkov

3rd / Associate Principal

Matthew Eckenhoff

Patrick Hodge Assistant

TRUMPET

Justin Bartels

Principal

Philip Hembree 2nd / Associate

Patrick Tillery Assistant

TROMBONE

John Sipher Principal

Paul Naslund 2nd / Associate Principal

Gregory Harper

BASS TROMBONE

Gregory Harper

TUBA

Stephen Dombrowski Principal

HARP

Courtney Hershey Bress Principal

TIMPANI

William Hill+ Principal

Steve Hearn

Acting Principal

PERCUSSION

John Kinzie Principal Friend of the Colorado Symphony Chair

Steve Hearn

Daniel Morris*

Michael Van Wirt

ORCHESTRA

LIBRARIAN

Lyle Wong

* = One year replacement + = On leave

PHOTO: DEAN ALEXANDER

PHOTO:

OFFICERS

Richard D. Krugman, MD Co-Chair | Distinguished Professor, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Kempe Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect

Julie Rubsam Co-Chair | Community Leader

Susan Bowles Secretary & Ex-Officio Trustee | CSA cellist, retired | Community Leader

Kip Wallen Treasurer & Trustee | Senior Director, SRS Acquiom

TRUSTEES

Maggie Anderson Managing Partner, Lifeline Vascular Care

Dr. Paula P. Bernstein Clinical Psychologist

James D. Butler Community Leader

Young Cho Community Leader

Mary Cowell* Colorado Symphony, Viola, Fixed 3rd Chair

Maria Del Rio Community Leader

Scott Doniger DaVita

Adam Donner Community Leader

Kayla Dreyer Shareholder, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP

Mike Ferrufino President/CEO, Colorado Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Chris Festog Community Leader

Bob Friedlander Colorado Symphony Chorus, Bass 2

Diane S. Hill, Ph.D. Consulting Psychologist, Somerville Partners

Patrick Hodge* Colorado Symphony, Utility Horn

Margaret Hoeppner* Colorado Symphony, Cello

Chloe Hong* Colorado Symphony, Cello, Assistant Principal

Dr. Vesna Jevtovic-Todorovic MD, PhD, MBA CU Medicine

Endowed Professor of Anesthesiology and Pharmacology, Chair, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine

Bill Johnson President, DCP Midstream

John Kinzie* Colorado Symphony, Percussion, Principal

Karen Kinzie* Colorado Symphony, Violin

Richard Kylberg Chief Strategy Officer, VMP

Lynn McDonald Community Leader

Mike McPhee Author/Journalist

Steve Miller Community Leader

Seoyoen Min* Colorado Symphony, Cello

Bill Myers Managing Director, Communications, Liberty Global, Inc.

Marta O’Grady, OD, FAAO University of Colorado School of Medicine, Department of Surgery

Deana M. Perlmutter Partner, Forbes Tate Partners

Megan Prokes* Colorado Symphony, Violin

Mike Richardson, Esq. Partner, Milgrom & Daskam

Malik Robinson Executive Director, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance

L.T. Sandvik Business Development Manager, Academy Bank

Ben Strawn Partner, Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP

John Street CEO, Pax8

Nick Tisherman* Colorado Symphony, Oboe 2nd/Assistant Principal

Lorenzo A. Trujillo Attorney and Mariachi Director/Professor, MSU Denver

Daniel Wachter Chief Commerical Officer, Chromatic Technologies, Inc.

Seth Weisberg Community Leader

Andra Zeppelin Community Leader

Mike Zoellner ZF Capital, Managing Partner

EX-OFFICIO TRUSTEES

Dalton Beasley Chair, Colorado Symphony Associate Board

Gretchen Hollrah Executive Director & Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Arts & Venues City & County of Denver

Susan Oakes Partner, Holland & Hart, and DYAO, Vice President, Board of Directors

Janet Weisheit President, Colorado Symphony Guild

EMERITUS TRUSTEES

William K. Coors**

John Low**

Will McFarlane**

Dr. Gerald Rainer**

Jerome H. Kern

Mary Rossick Kern

Lee Yeingst

Emeritus Chair of the Board

Colorado Symphony Association

HONORARY TRUSTEES

Governor Jared Polis

Governor of Colorado

Mayor Michael Johnston Mayor of Denver

*Colorado Symphony Musician Trustee

**In Memorium

ASSOCIATE BOARD

Corinne Abele

Dalton Beasley

Chris Cole

Stephanie Danner

Ashley Dodge

Leigh Horton

Heather Johnson

Kim Marroquin

Steph Meyers

Krista Mortensen

Terrington Smith

Maggie St. Clair

Molly Phillips

Brittany Pyle

Alex Thomas

Nick Tisherman

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Mark Cantrell President & CEO

Coreen Miller Chief Financial Officer & Chief Operating Officer

Anthony Pierce Chief Artistic Officer

ADMINISTRATIVE

Shannon Fraser Executive Assistant & Board Stewardship Manager

ARTISTIC

Anthony Pierce Chief Artistic Officer

Izabel Zambrzycki Artistic General Manager

David Aeling Production Stage Manager

Aric Christensen Audio Engineer

Dante Dunlap Properties Master

Jonathan Groszew Director of Orchestral Personnel

Gabrielle Illg Stage Manager

Sam Jaehnig Head Carpenter

Auburn Joseph Artistic Coordinator

Dustin Knock Manager of Artistic Operations

Aspen McArthur Library Assistant

Hitomi Sipher Assistant Librarian

Miles Stasica Master Electrician

Julie Strom Manager of Orchestra Personnel

Lyle Wong Orchestra Librarian

CONDUCTORS & CHORUS DIRECTION

Peter Oundjian

Principal Conductor

Christopher Dragon Resident Conductor

Wilbur Lin Assistant Conductor & DYAO Music Director

Duain Wolfe Chorus Director, Colorado Symphony Chorus

Eric Israelson Chorus Manager, Colorado Symphony Chorus

Mary Louise Burke Associate Conductor, Colorado Symphony Chorus

Taylor Martin Assistant Conductor, Colorado Symphony Chorus

Barbara Porter Assistant Chorus Manager, Colorado Symphony Chorus

Jared Joseph Colorado Symphony Conducting Intern

DEVELOPMENT

Amanda Gomez Director of Individual Giving

Katie Skawski Director of Development

Casey Bryan Grants Manager

Lillie Combs Associate Director of Individual Giving

David Rosen Development Operations Senior Manager

Selin Ozcelik Development Operations Coordinator

Beth Wamsley Development Event & Membership Manager

EDUCATION

Breanna McCaughey Director of Community Education

Davey Van Beveren Community Education Manager

Lindsay Genadek Community Education Coordinator

FINANCE

Coreen Miller

Chief Financial Officer, & Chief Operating Officer

Annette Brown Staff Accountant

David Murphy Associate Director of Finance & Benefits

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

Stephanie Derybowski Director of Web Experience

Nick Dobreff Communications & Creative Director

Kayla Hayes Director of Digital Marketing & Promotions

Anna Ristvey Creative Marketing Manager

Tori Seaver Digital Marketing Manager

SALES & PATRON SERVICES

MacKenzie McGuire Director of Sales & Patron Services

Johanna Jeter Manager of Sales & Patron Services

Jordan Catmull Lead Sales & Patron Services Associate

Emelie Kronquist Lead Sales & Patron Services Associate

Jenna Abbott Patron Services Associate

Rosa Gasdia Patron Services Associate

Jamieon Jamison-Gilmore Patron Services Associate

Hannah Pempengco Patron Services Associate

Megan Pryor Patron Services Associate

Quinn Rubin Patron Services Associate

Molly Epstein Group Sales Associate

COLORADO SYMPHONY FUND

Stephen M. Brett President

Norman L. Wilson Treasurer

James D. Butler Director

William Wallace Director

Kip Wallen Secretary

GUILD OFFICERS

Janet Weisheit President

Janet Weisheit President Elect

Nancy Crego And Barb Mcginnis Recording Secretary

Kathy Dolan Treasurer

Lorenz Rychner Assistant Treasurer

Deanna Leino Corresponding Secretary

Nancy Lawrence Vice-President Of Fundraising

Donna Lynch Vice-President Of Membership

Terry Gallant Vice-President Of Music Education

Kathy Swanson Shop Manager

Monica Owen Shop Buyer

Boettcher Concert Hall is managed by - ARTSCOMPLEX.COM

SUMMER 2024

MOZART UNDER MOONLIGHT WITH THE COLORADO SYMPHONY

WILBUR LIN, conductor

JASON LICHTENWALTER, oboe

CLAUDE SIM, violin

CHLOE HONG, cello

Saturday, July 6, 2024 at 7:30pm Arvada Center Outdoor Amphitheatre

MOZART Incidental Music from Thamos, King of Egypt, K. 345

II. Maestro – Allegro

V. Allegro vivace assai

SALIERI

Concerto for Oboe, Violin and Cello in D major

I. Allegro moderato

II. Cantabile

III. Andantino

— INTERMISSION —

MOZART Symphony No. 41 in C major, K. 551, “Jupiter”

I. Allegro vivace

II. Andante cantabile

III. Allegretto

IV. Molto allegro

CONCERT RUN TIME IS APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR AND 24 MINUTES INCLUDING A 20 MINUTE INTERMISSION.

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY

SUMMER 2024

WILBUR LIN, conductor

Known for his creative programming and inviting stage presence, Wilbur Lin’s career has taken him to symphony halls and opera theaters across the United States, Europe, Latin America, and Taiwan. Currently the Music Director of the Missouri Symphony, Lin was also recently promoted to associate conductor of the Colorado Symphony.

Lin’s 2024/25 season will commence with a production of Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore (Elixir of Love) with the Missouri Symphony and Landlocked Opera Company, include many classical and pops concerts with both the Colorado and Missouri symphonies, and see his return to Ann Arbor and Taipei symphonies. His other recent highlights include debuts with the Rochester Philharmonic, Oak Ridge, Ann Arbor, Elgin, Taipei, and Indiana’s Richmond symphonies, a new studio recording with pianist Eric Zuber and the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, and conducting and covering the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops where he recently finished his tenure as assistant conductor (2019-2022).

In addition to his positions with the Colorado, Cincinnati, and Missouri symphonies, in recent years, Lin has conducted the Chamber Philharmonic Taipei, Manchester Camerata, Orquesta Sinfónica Juvenil de El Salvador, Taipei Philharmonic, Taipei Symphony, Liverpool Mozart, Academy Orchestra of Taiwan Symphony, Richmond Symphony (IN), and LaPorte Symphony orchestras. As a cover conductor, Lin has worked with, notably, the Taiwan Symphony, Cincinnati Ballet, and Minnesota orchestras. In his role as the assistant (2023/24) and associate (2024-) conductor of the Colorado Symphony, Lin also serves as the Music Director of the Denver Young Artists Orchestra.

A graduate of Riccardo Muti’s Italian Opera Academy, Lin’s operatic endeavors include conducting Verdi’s Macbeth at Teatro Alighieri (Ravenna, Italy), Le nozze di Figaro at the Missouri Theatre with the Missouri Symphony, Die Zauberflöte and Barber of Seville with the Winter Harbor Music Festival (Winter Harbor, Maine), Menotti’s The Medium and Amelia Goes to the Ball as the conductor of Northern Illinois University, and has coached and performed as a pianist with the Indianapolis Opera, Indiana University Opera Theater, Reimagining Opera for Kids, and the Cincinnati Ballet. In 2022, Lin led a new workshop of Robeson by Scott Davenport Richards at the Cincinnati Opera.

Lin held the position of Taiwan Symphony Orchestra International Talent Fellow (2019-2021), Weiwuyin Opera (Taiwan) Conducting Fellow (2019-2020), Lord Rhodes Scholar (2013-2014), was a two-time recipient of Mortimer Furber Prize for Conducting at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM), and holds a doctoral degree in orchestral conducting from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Lin has studied with Arthur Fagen and David Effron at Jacobs, Clark Rundell and Mark Heron at the RNCM, and Apo Hsu at the National Taiwan Normal University. He has also received conducting coaching with, notably, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Riccardo Muti, Sir Mark Elder, Helmuth Rilling, and has assisted Louis Langrée, James Gaffigan, and John Morris Russell, among others.

SUMMER 2024

JASON LICHTENWALTER, oboe

Jason Lichtenwalter joined the Colorado Symphony as solo English hornist and oboist in 2002. He has held the same position with the Britt Festival Orchestra since 1998. A versatile performer, he has been featured as soloist on oboe (Bach Brandenburg Concerto No. 2/ Honolulu Symphony), English horn (Copland Quiet City/Colorado Symphony and Texas Wind Symphony; Sibelius Swan of Tuonela/Colorado Symphony), and oboe d’amore (Bach Concerto in A/Englewood Chamber Players). Prior orchestral positions include Principal Oboe with the Dallas Opera Orchestra and East Texas Symphony as well as Associate Principal/2nd Oboe and Acting English Horn with the Honolulu Symphony. As a guest, he has performed with the Dallas Symphony, Fort Worth Symphony, and Naples Philharmonic.

Jason is on the faculty of the University of Colorado-Boulder and has taught for the Rocky Ridge Junior Artist and College Intensive summer camps. In fall 2018 and 2019 he created and performed with Colorado Symphony colleagues on the Concert for Canines. Produced in partnership with Morris Animal Foundation, Artists for Animals, and Englewood Arts, the chamber music concerts raised awareness and funds for canine cancer research.

He earned performance degrees from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where he received the Artistry in Oboe Performance Award and was inducted into Pi Kappa Lambda, and the Eastman School of Music. His primary teachers were Denise Lamb, James Caldwell, and Richard Killmer, and he pursued post-graduate studies with Mark Ackerman, Elaine Douvas, David Matthews, and Robert Walters.

CLAUDE SIM, violin

Claude Sim enjoys a varied career as a chamber musician, orchestral leader, soloist, and multi-genre performing artist. He studied violin performance at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music (BM ’99) with Greg Fulkerson, Almita Vamos, and viola with Roland Vamos. At age 21, he was appointed Associate Concertmaster of the Colorado Symphony under music director Marin Alsop. As frequent soloist with the orchestra, he has earned praise for his ‘lustrous tone and poise’ by the Rocky Mountain News and was dubbed ‘Denver’s Musical Adventurer’ by the Denver Post. Formerly Associate Principal Second of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Sim has served in guest capacity as Concertmaster of the Kansas City Symphony, Colorado Music Festival Orchestra, Boulder Philharmonic, as Principal Second of the National Arts Centre Orchestra of Ottawa, and first violin with the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Sim has been a grand prizewinner at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and has served as guest first violin and viola on concert tours with the critically acclaimed Miró and Pacifica Quartets. He has collaborated in chamber music performance with pianists Christopher O’Riley, Jeffrey Kahane, and members of the Vermeer and Tokyo String Quartets.

As solo violinist of the tango ensemble Extasis, Sim has recorded a studio album. The quartet’s arrangements of Golden Age tango by D’Arienzo, Troilo and Pugliese through the nuevo tango of

SUMMER 2024

Rovira and Piazzolla serve as foundations of their wide-ranging repertoire. Extasis performance tours and community engagements have reached audiences across the United States and Europe.

Known for his multi-genre interests, Sim’s jazz violin album Time With You presents a collection of standards from the American Songbook. Trumpeter Greg Gisbert (Wynton Marsalis, Clark Terry sideman) is a featured artist on the record. Sim has performed with Hamilton star Leslie Odom Jr. and Odom’s jazz combo as guest soloist. He has shared the stage with Irish American fiddler Eileen Ivers, Warren Haynes (Allman Brothers Band, Gov’t Mule), rock band Guster, and with iconic Denver rock band Devotchka, both live and on the album 100 Lovers. In 2014, he performed as a duo with Grammy award-winning artist and banjo master Béla Fleck on a Colorado tour, culminating at the Telluride Bluegrass Festival.

Sim’s interest in exploring original and standard hot jazz has led to collaborations with today’s elite string jazz artists including live radio broadcasts and a tour with German guitarist Joscho Stephan.

Claude Sim’s performing career and concurrent teaching mission focus on developing true artistic versatility while building connections across musical genres and communities. His previous teaching appointments include University of Colorado Denver and Colorado State University. From 2019-2022, he served as Assistant Professor of Violin at CU Boulder College of Music.

CHLOE HONG, cello

Originally from Southern California, Chloe Hong (she/her) began a multifaceted career as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral performer at the age of eight. At the age of eleven, Chloe made her solo debut with the South Coast Symphony. She has appeared as a soloist with the Torrance Symphony, Peninsula Symphony, and the Montecito Festival Orchestra. Chloe was a prize winner of the Hellam Young Artists Competition and first prize winner of the American String Teacher’s Association, the Edith Knox Concerto Competition, and the Los Angeles Violoncello Society Scholarship Auditions. She has performed in masterclasses for artists including Jean-Guihen Queyras, Frans Helmerson, Ronald Leonard, Ralph Kirshbaum, and János Starker.

Chloe’s passion for orchestral and chamber music has led her to perform in some of the great halls of the world including Carnegie Hall, David Geffen Hall, Segerstrom Hall, and Alice Tully Hall. Her interest in chamber music has led her to study in prestigious programs such as the Perlman Music Program and the Colburn School’s Ed and Mari Chamber Music Institute. Chloe has performed several times for Juilliard’s Chamberfest program as well as the Juilliard Focus! festival. Prior to joining the Colorado Symphony, Chloe served as principal cellist at the Verbier Festival Orchestra for three summers, where she had the privilege to work with renowned conductors including Sir Simon Rattle, Esa-Pekka Salonen, Fabio Luisi, among others. She was principal of the Juilliard School Orchestra where she served under the batons of Alan Gilbert and John Adams. Festival appearances include the Aspen Music Festival, New York String Orchestra Seminar, and the Grand Teton Music Festival.

Chloe received her Bachelor of Music degree from the Juilliard School under the tutelage of Joel Krosnick. Chloe joined the Colorado Symphony as Assistant Principal in 2019.

SUMMER 2024

BEETHOVEN & BREWS FEST AT BOETTCHER

CHRISTOPHER DRAGON, conductor

MICHAEL THORNTON, horn

Saturday, July 13, 2024 at 6:00pm Boettcher Concert Hall

BEETHOVEN

BEETHOVEN

MOZART

BEETHOVEN

BEETHOVEN

BEETHOVEN

LEOPOLD MOZART

Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67

I. Allegro con brio

Gratulations Menuet in E-flat major

Concerto-Rondo in E-flat major, K.371

Symphony No. 7 in A major, Op. 92

II. Allegretto

Symphony No. 1 in C major, Op. 21

IV. Finale: Adagio – Allegro molto e vivace

— INTERMISSION —

Coriolan Overture, Op. 62

Sinfonia Pastorella for Alphorn in G major

I. Allegro Moderato

II. Andante

II. Presto

BEETHOVEN

BEETHOVEN

Symphony No. 8 in F major, Op. 93

III. Tempo di menuetto

Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67

V. Allegro

CONCERT RUN TIME IS APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS AND 5 MINUTES INCLUDING A 20 MINUTE INTERMISSION.

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY

SUMMER 2024

CHRISTOPHER DRAGON, conductor

Australian conductor Christopher Dragon is the Music Director of the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra and Resident Conductor of the Colorado Symphony. He joined the Colorado Symphony in the 2015/2016 Season as Associate Conductor – a position he held for four years. For three years prior, Dragon held the inaugural position of Assistant Conductor with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, which gave him the opportunity to work closely with Principal Conductor Asher Fisch.

Dragon has a versatile portfolio ranging from live-to-picture performances including Nightmare Before Christmas, Toy Story and Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, a wide variety of collaborations with artists such as the Wu-Tang Clan, Cynthia Erivo and Joshua Bell, to standard and contemporary orchestral repertoire such as Danny Elfman’s Violin Concerto, Eleven Eleven; all areas of which he has become highly sought after. Christopher has become known for his charisma, high energy and affinity for a good costume, consistently delivering unforgettable performances that has made him an audience favourite.

Recent highlights include his successful debut with the San Francisco Symphony, performances of Danny Elfman’s Music from the Films of Tim Burton with Danny Elfman reprising the role of Jack Skellington and historic performances with Nathaniel Rateliff at Walt Disney Concert Hall and David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center. Upcoming debuts include the WRD Funkhausorchester, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Greensboro Symphony Orchestra.

Christopher is highly sought after as a guest conductor and has worked with San Francisco Symphony, Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, San Diego Symphony, Utah Symphony, Omaha Symphony, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Chicago Philharmonic, Modesto Symphony Orchestra, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Orquestra Sinfônica de Porto Alegre and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. In Australia, he has guest conducted the Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and West Australian Symphony Orchestras. His 2015 debut performance at the Sydney Opera House with John Pyke and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra was released on album by ABC Music and won an ARIA the following year He has also conducted at numerous festivals including the Breckenridge and Bangalow Music Festivals, with both resulting in immediate re-invitations. At the beginning of 2016 Dragon conducted Wynton Marsalis’ Swing Symphony as part of the Perth International Art Festival alongside Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.

Christopher began his conducting studies in 2011 and was a member of the prestigious Symphony Services International Conductor Development Program in Australia under the guidance of course director Christopher Seaman. He has also studied with numerous distinguished conductors including Leonid Grin, Paavo and Neeme Jarvi at the Jarvi Summer Festival, Fabio Luisi at the Pacific Music Festival and conducting pedagogue Jorma Panula.

SUMMER 2024

MICHAEL THORNTON, horn

Michael Thornton enjoys a distinguished and varied career as an orchestral performer, chamber musician, soloist, and pedagogue. He has performed on six continents with acclaimed ensembles and has presented master classes at the world’s most prestigious musical institutions.

Mr. Thornton joined the Colorado Symphony as Principal Horn in 1997. He has worked with classical and popular artists from Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, and Renée Fleming to John Williams, Jack Black, One Republic, and the Wu Tang Clan. He has also performed and recorded with renowned ensembles including The Philadelphia Orchestra, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Dallas Symphony, KBS Symphony (South Korea), Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and others.

Prior to his appointments in Colorado, Michael Thornton left his studies at The Juilliard School to become the Principal Horn of the Honolulu Symphony. A native of Long Island, NY, Mr. Thornton’s primary teachers included Randy Gardner, Jerome Ashby, and Julie Landsman.

An avid chamber musician and a recognized soloist internationally, Michael Thornton has been a featured performer at the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival (NM), Mainly Mozart (CA), Spoleto (SC), Moab Music Festival (UT), Campos do Jordao International Winter Festival (Brazil), Medellin Festicamara (Colombia), among many others. He performs annually as the horn artist faculty for the Colorado College Summer Music Festival. As a soloist, in addition to his regular appearances with the Colorado Symphony, Mr. Thornton has performed with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, National Arts Center Orchestra (Canada), Melbourne Musician’s Chamber Orchestra (Australia), the New Symphony Orchestra (Bulgaria), the Cape Town Philharmonic (South Africa), and numerous orchestras in the US. He appears regularly as a master clinician and performer at conferences and horn symposia worldwide.

Appointed to the faculty of the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1999, Michael Thornton is currently Professor of Horn. In the summers he serves as the horn faculty artist for the Colorado College Music Festival and Boston University Tanglewood Institute. Mr. Thornton holds certification in Mental Toughness Training from the Human Performance Institute in Orlando, Florida, and implements this training in his teaching. His students hold positions in orchestras throughout the United States and abroad, and have won numerous awards and competitions. Professor Thornton has twice received the Marinus Smith Award, which is bestowed upon teachers at CU Boulder who have made significant contributions to their students’ development.

Michael is married to Colorado Symphony Piccolo player Julie Duncan Thornton. They have two children, and he is a founder of the Colorado Symphony Cocktail Club, enjoys gardening, and loves traveling with his family.

Michael is a founding member of the Colorado Symphony Cocktail Club.

SUMMER 2024

A TRIBUTE TO ARTHUR FIELDER AND THE BOSTON POPS AT THE ARVADA CENTER

WILBUR LIN, conductor

CATHY PETERSON, alto flute

JUSTIN BARTELS, trumpet

Friday, July 26, 2024 at 7:30pm

Arvada Center Outdoor Amphitheatre

DUKAS “Fanfare” from La Péri

ROSSINI William Tell Overture

BRAHMS Academic Festival Overture, Op. 80

— INTERMISSION —

FOOTE A Night Piece for Flute and String Orchestra

CHADWICK Adonaïas Elegiac Overture

— INTERMISSION —

ELLINGTON Duke Ellington!

Arr. Custer

MENDÉZ La virgen de la Macarena

MARY LOU WILLIAMS Selections from Zodiac Suite Aries Taurus Aquarius

GERSHWIN Selections from Porgy and Bess

Arr. Bennett

CONCERT RUN TIME IS APPROXIMATELY 1 HOURS AND 40 MINUTES INCLUDING TWO 15 MINUTE INTERMISSIONS.

PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY

SUMMER 2024

WILBUR LIN, conductor

See bio on page 7

CATHY PETERSON, alto flute

Catherine Peterson is Assistant Principal/Second Flutist of the Colorado Symphony. A regular substitute flutist with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra from 2010-2019, she has also performed with the Detroit Symphony and the Cincinnati Symphony.

Recent exciting projects have included performing Alto Flute with the Baltimore Symphony under Marin Alsop, and recording Ameriques by Varese with the Cincinnati Symphony.

An active chamber musician and educator, she performs with the nationally recognized Ivy Street Ensemble, and can often be heard on Colorado Public Radio. Cathy is the Flute Coach for Denver School of the Arts, as well as at the University of Denver’s Lamont Summer Academy. Her previous musical engagements include Principal Flutist with the Central City Opera, Principal Flutist with Emerald City Opera, and co-Principal flutist of the Strings Festival in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Cathy is Director of the Mile High Flute Camp, co-Director of Mile High Flute Benders, and is a regular performer at Front Range Chamber Players in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Her teachers include Jeff Zook, Leone Buyse, Tim Day, and Walfrid Kujala. You can learn more about Cathy at www.milehighflutist.com.

JUSTIN BARTELS, trumpet

Justin Bartels has held the position of Principal Trumpet since July 2008 and has served on the brass faculty at the University of Colorado in Boulder since 2012. Prior to arriving in Denver, Justin had an established professional career. He held the Principal Trumpet positions with Columbus Symphony in Columbus, Ohio from 2007-2008 and was a fellow with the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, Florida from 2003-2006.

Justin played 5 seasons with the Central City Opera as Principal Trumpet from 2006 – 2012. Justin has played Guest Principal Trumpet with the San Francisco Symphony, New York City Ballet, and St. Louis Symphony. He has also had the pleasure of performing with many of the country’s top orchestras including: The New York Philharmonic, Dallas Symphony, Alabama Symphony, Milwaukee Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Virginia Symphony, and the Houston Symphony.

SUMMER 2024

Justin is a proud graduate of the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music (B.M. 2003), he also attended the University of Alabama (BM Studies 1996-1997) and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (BM Studies 1997-2000). Justin had the privilege to study with many great trumpet teachers and performers including Marie Speziale, John Rommel, Ed Cord, Alan Siebert, Michael B. Johnson, and Joe Ardovino. Justin attended high school in Birmingham, Alabama where he was part of a thriving instrumental music program at Pelham High School under the direction of the late James H. Duren.

On a personal note, Justin enjoys skiing, playing hockey and golf as well as watching the Denver Broncos, Colorado Avalanche, Alabama Crimson Tide football and the Atlanta Braves baseball. He lives in Denver with his wife Myroslava, violinist with the Colorado Symphony, their two daughters and their two Siberian cats Dagny and Mikko.

“Denver has everything that a person could want. We are one of the few cities that has a team from every major sports franchise and we have the second largest performing arts hub in the entire United States of America. As the premier classical music organization in the state of Colorado, it’s a joy to perform here in Denver and across this great state. The Colorado Symphony Orchestra has become a staple in our community, and I’m proud to continue to provide my talents for the citizens of Denver, Colorado today and for many years to follow”.

Buy Authentic Tickets

SUMMER 2024

THE PRINCESS BRIDE IN CONCERT

JASON SEBER, conductor

Saturday August 3, 2024 at 7:30pm

Sunday, August 4, 2024 at 2:30pm Boettcher Concert Hall

The Princess Bride in Concert

ACT III COMMUNICATIONS Presents A

REINER/SCHEINMAN Production

WILLIAM GOLDMAN’S

CARY ELWES

MANDY PATINKIN

CHRIS SARANDON

CHRISTOPHER GUEST

WALLACE SHAWN

ANDRE THE GIANT

Introducing ROBIN WRIGHT

Special Appearances by PETER FALK and BILLY CRYSTAL

SUMMER 2024

Edited by ROBERT LEIGHTON

Production Designed by NORMAN GARWOOD

Director of Photographer ADRIAN BIDDLE

Music by MARK KNOPFLER

Executive Producer NORMAN LEAR

Screenplay by WILLIAM GOLDMAN

Produced by ANDREW SCHEINMAN and ROB REINER

Directed by ROB REINER

Tonight’s program is a presentation of the complete film The Princess Bride with a live performance of the movie’s entire score, including music played by the orchestra during the end credits. Out of respect for the musicians and your fellow audience members, please remain seated until the conclusion of the performance.

© Princess Bride, Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Original musical score composed by Mark Knopfler © 1987 Straitjacket Songs Ltd. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved.

“Storybook Love” written by Willy DeVille © 1987 Jockamo Music. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved.

SUMMER 2024

PRODUCTION CREDITS

The Princess Bride in Concert is produced by Film Concerts Live!, a joint venture of IMG Artists, LLC and The Gorfaine/Schwartz Agency, Inc.

Producers: Steven A. Linder and Jamie Richardson

Director of Operations: Rob Stogsdill

Production Manager: Sophie Greaves

Production Assistant: Katherine Miron

Worldwide Representation: IMG Artists, LLC

Technical Director: Mike Runice

Music Composed by Mark Knopfler

“Storybook Love” written by Willy DeVille

Musical Score Adapted and Orchestrated for Live Performance by Mark Graham

Music Preparation: Jo Ann Kane Music Service

Film Preparation for Concert Performance: Epilogue Media

Technical Consultant: Laura Gibson

Sound Remixing for Concert Performance: Chace Audio by Deluxe

The score for The Princess Bride has been specially adapted for live concert performance.

With special thanks to: Norman Lear, Mark Knopfler, Julie Dyer, David Nochimson, Paul Crockford, Sherry Elbe, James Harman, Peter Raleigh, Trevor Motycka, Bethany Brinton, Matt Voogt, Adam Michalak, Alex Levy, Adam Witt, and the musicians and staff of the Colorado Symphony.

CONCERT RUN TIME IS APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR AND 58 MINUTES INCLUDING A 20 MINUTE INTERMISSION.

SUMMER 2024

JASON SEBER, conductor

Jason Seber is known for his inviting and engaging approach on and off the podium. A strong believer in the eclectic experiences which today’s symphony orchestras offer their communities, he strives to make music of many genres and styles accessible, relevant, and meaningful to diverse audiences across the country.

Seber has conducted many leading American orchestras, including the Colorado, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Nashville, National, San Diego, and St. Louis Symphony, the Louisville and Minnesota Orchestra, the Cincinnati Pops, and the Buffalo Philharmonic, among others. Upcoming performances include debuts with the North Carolina Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, and Phoenix Symphony. Seber has conducted over 20 full feature films and has had the pleasure of performing with a wide range of artists including Patti Austin, Mason Bates, Andrew Bird, Boyz II Men, Jinjoo Cho, Melissa Etheridge, Ben Folds, Cody Fry, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Indigo Girls, Paul Jacobs, Wynonna Judd, Lyle Lovett, Katharine McPhee, Natalie Merchant, Brian Stokes Mitchell, My Morning Jacket, Leslie Odom Jr., Aoife O’Donovan, Pink Martini, Ben Rector, Stephen Schwartz, Doc Severinsen, Conrad Tao, Bobby Watson, and Joyce Yang.

Seber served as associate conductor of the Kansas City Symphony from 2016 to 2022. In this position he led the Symphony in over 300 performances on the Classical, Pops, Classics Uncorked, Family, Film + Live Orchestra, Education, and Christmas Festival series. He also served as co-host for the Symphony’s podcast, “Beethoven Walks into a Bar.” Prior to Kansas City, Seber was the education and outreach conductor at the Louisville Orchestra from 2013 to 2016 and music director of the Louisville Youth Orchestra from 2005 to 2016.

A passionate advocate for music education, Seber has led the Honors Performance Series Orchestra in concert at Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House, and Royal Festival Hall in London. He is a frequent guest conductor of the National Repertory Orchestra each summer and he has served as the All-State Orchestra conductor for Georgia, Kansas, Missouri, and Pennsylvania.

MARK KNOPFLER, composer

Mark Knopfler is an acclaimed British singer-songwriter, guitarist, record producer, who has composed several film scores, including ’The Princess Bride’. He is best known as the lead singer, lead guitarist and songwriter of internationally celebrated rock band, Dire Straits.

A Note From the Composer

To have been a part of ‘The Princess Bride’ gives me enormous pride and joy. To me, the picture has never lost an ounce of its freshness and charm. I couldn’t be more delighted to see it finding more devotees around the world with every passing year.

Now, to hear the score in the hands of a brilliant orchestral arranger, conductor and players, is an added privilege. I hope you have a wonderful evening in their company along with the many memories the film has created.

— MK

TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW FOR THE 2024/25 SEASON