Take a quick survey and you could win two tickets to the Colorado Symphony!

The Colorado Symphony is interested in what you have to say about them, their programming and the general music scene in Colorado. The survey is open May 15th through the 31st and the Symphony has set aside a pair of tickets specifically for Denver Musicians Association members and supporters! If you want a chance to win a couple tickets to the Symphony and you have a few minutes, then follow this link: http://symphonysurvey.org/2013_DMA

If you have any questions regarding this survey or the competition, please email Lincoln Bauer, lbauer@coloradosymphony.org

Our meeting with the Downtown Denver Partnership
By Pete Vriesenga

After being put off for twelve months we finally scheduled a meeting with the Downtown Denver Partnership (DDP) which represents billions of dollars in big business/member assets. DDP President & CEO Tamara Door never responded personally to my 5/1/13 email, and I expect she has more important things to do and people to meet. I did however receive a response from DDP’s Event Operations Manger Lorinn Rhodes. DMA Vice President Thomas Blomster and I were now ready to begin our quest to see that professional musicians who perform for Make Music Denver are paid … something.

With our long-awaited meeting now only moments away, we stepped into the elevator from the lobby of the magnificent Paramount Theater Building at 16th and Glenarm. Although relieved to be out of the rain, we waited in anticipation, not knowing what lies ahead. Would these prominent business leaders actually listen to our arguments and agree to pay “something” to the musicians? Or, would our hopes be quickly dashed by Wall Street tycoons looking to experience their first labor/management negotiation, motivated by the sport of conquest. Seizing on a moment of confidence, Thomas and I looked to each other reassuringly … ‘we’re on a Mission from God!’
Read On

DENVER, CO – January 31, 2013 – The Colorado Symphony announced today the resignation of President & CEO Gene Sobczak. “On behalf of the board of trustees, musicians and administration, we express our appreciation to Gene for his service to the organization,” state Jerome H. Kern and Mary Rossick Kern, co-chairs of the Colorado Symphony Association.

“It has been an honor to work with the orchestra during this time of institutional growth and evolution,” states Sobczak. “As a community member, I will remain steadfast in my support and admiration for one of our state’s greatest cultural assets.” Sobczak leaves the Colorado Symphony to develop an independent practice of consultancy in the arts, a capacity in which he will be available to the orchestra, as needed. Mr. Kern will serve as CEO and continue as co-chair of the association.

For information about the Colorado Symphony, visit www.coloradosymphony.org

1. # #

Inside the Orchestra (formerly JSG) is currently searching for a new Executive Director. We are accepting applications through Oct. 5. Thank you.

Contact Cassandra Netzke:
cassandra@netzkewishart.com

www.insidetheorchestra.com

By Rod Taylor

A year or so ago I was one of the casualties of our current economic crisis. Since industry today looks like a deserted mine field, I decided to see if there was a job I could do that wasn’t subject to old age or being shipped offshore! My first thought was my first love, music and entertaining.

It’s no secret that club work has, for many years, been sparse to say the least, so I decided to take a look at what was happening in the local retirement communities. That was an eye opener to say the least. My preliminary investigation showed me that in Colorado, the retirement industry is one of the fastest growing industries we have, and that across the United States, 10,000 people per day are retiring!
Read On

James U. Carroll is celebrating his forty-first year as Principal Bass of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra (CSO). In September 2012 he will be retiring as Principal Bassist and remain in the Bass Section of the CSO. He joined the CSO in 1971 after studying and graduating from the High School of Performing Arts in New York City, the Julliard School of Music and the Hartt School of Music on scholarships. He studied with many renowned bassists including Fred Zimmerman of the New York Philharmonic and Julliard Professor. He also won a full scholarship to the National Training Orchestra while he was a student and also to the Aspen School of Music.
Read On

“What Can I Do?” multimedia environmental concerts This is a 60-75 minute educational keynote presentation featuring the photography of John Fielder, Karl Snyder and Laurie Dameron, video, information and live music. Some may think I am preaching to the choir on environmental issues in Colorado but consider that in 2010 the city of San Francisco boasted a diversion rate of 85%. (Diversion rate is how much material is diverted from the land fill by recycling, compost, reducing and reusing) The same year Boulder’s diversion rate was 35%! I think we can do better!

The Denver Musicians Association of which I am a member has graciously stepped up to help out. Their 501©3, nonprofit arm, “Our Musical Heritage” is “partnering” with me and making it possible to seek tax deductible donations that I need to raise money for a projector, screen, promotion and other business expenses.
Read On

Scott martin has performed professionally in a wide variety of musical styles and roles. As a studio musician in New York City with Carly Simon, he sang background vocals and played synthesizers on the hit, Coming Around Again, which was also the theme song to the movie Heartburn, starring Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep. He worked with Mariah Carey on her first recording session and her first album, as well as with singers Philip Bailey of Earth Wind and Fire and Robert Lamm of Chicago. He wrote and produced the title track to the album, Magnetic, by the jazz group Steps Ahead, featuring vocalist Dianne Reeves and saxophonist Michael Brecker. He has worked as a jazz pianist in Washington D.C., Boston, Paris, and the Caribbean. In Colorado, he has been the house pianist at Denver’s El Chapultepec, Mel’s Bar and Grill, and the Stanley Hotel, performed at Jazz Aspen and played with local artists ranging from Hazel Miller to the Hot Tomatoes Swing Orchestra to the salsa band Conjunto Colores. He currently leads the jazz band, Sundays at Vic’s, whose debut DVD/CD 2 disc set was a finalist in the 2008 Independent Music Awards.
Read On

Denver, CO June 27, 2012 – A vigil will be held for the officer at 5 p.m. before the already scheduled concert on Sunday. In order to show our support, local jazz legend Purnell Steen (of Purnell Steen and Le Jazz Machine) is encouraging all musicians to come out in solidarity for Officer Hollis.

“This was a tragic event and a beautiful young, single mother and a valuable member of the Denver Police Department lost her life,” Public Safety Manager Alex Martinez said.

We should not let this tragic shooting tarnish the hard work and dedication of so many over the years. “We will put our arms around this family and this child, and make sure they know there is a city that absolutely loves them,” – Mayor Hancock

Come stand in harmony with musical artists, community leaders, and music lovers, Sunday July 1, 2012 at the City Park Jazz Festival.

“This is a great event,” Hancock said. “By no certain terms will we allow for a few to tarnish a special event in this city that occurs every year.”
Donations

DENVER – June 25, 2012 – The Colorado Symphony today announces the appointment of Andrew Litton to the role of Artistic Advisor. Litton previously served as Music Director for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra from 1994-2006 and is currently Music Director for the Bergen Philharmonic in Norway, a post he’s held since 2003. He joins the Colorado Symphony’s current artistic leadership staff, including Resident Conductor Scott O’Neil and Duain Wolfe, founder and director of the Colorado Symphony Chorus and director of the Chicago Symphony Chorus. Litton’s three-year appointment as Artistic Advisor begins Sept. 1, 2012.
Read On

The Arapahoe Philharmonic in suburban Denver, CO announces its opening for the position of Music Director and Conductor.

The Selection Committee is accepting application materials from experienced orchestral conducting candidates.

Full details, including job description, required application materials, overview of the application process and the selection timeline can be located under the Conductor Search tab at the Arapahoe Philharmonic website: www.arapahoe-phil.org

The application deadline is June 30, 2012
Any questions may be directed to: searchcommittee@arapahoe-phil.org

In our last issue of The Denver Musician, we took an in-depth look into the operations of the JGS’s “Inside the Orchestra” programs through the eyes of its Executive Director. With this interview we’ll go directly to Tom Jensen, who created JSG’s programs and offers a wealth of experience and success with orchestra promotion.
Read On

When: April 22nd thru April 28th
Where: From Grant east to York Street on Colfax (Route 40)
Time: Varies (depending on the event)
Why: To introduce YOU to the many entertainment opportunities in the area
Cost: Depends on the venue
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Starting with Sunday, April 22nd, the Colfax Business Improvement District (“CBID”) will be presenting a week-long event in the area of 14th to 16th, especially focusing on the Route 40/Colfax businesses. Opening with the Root 40 Music Expo at The Filmore, Colfax and Clarkson, many locally-owned music-related businesses will showcase their products, listening sessions, seminars, and lots and lots of places for musicians/bands to play! You won’t want to miss out on this event – whether as a performer or as a “Patron of the Arts”!

Read On

12.15.11 – The Youth Orchestras of the Rockies (YOR) are delighted to announce that we have been selected to participate in the Colorado Chamber Orchestra’s Wes Blomster Music Mentoring Fund Artist in Residence program!

By Pete Vriesenga

As much as they keep trying, resigned CSO board members Heather K Miller and Bruce Clinton are failing to show any evidence that the CSO “can’t sustain it’s business model.” As board members they were determined to cease operations and force bankruptcy rather than take the lead of this collaborative and resilient organization. Rather than accept their personal failings as board members they repeatedly tried to paint “union work rules” as their scapegoat, despite the simple fact that the musicians repeatedly yielded to their demands.

The first spitball was Miller and Clinton’s politically charged editorial, published in the Denver Post on November 13 – two months after they walked away from their responsibilities as board members. Their latest was a December 22nd interview with Mike Rosen on KOA (850 AM). The had initially hoped to have the show to themselves, but a CSO board co-chair arranged after the fact to call in during the later part of the show. It wasn’t until that moment on live radio that Miller and Clinton learned of all the good that happened since they walked away, including the CSO’s announcement of a new business plan that was vetted by an inclusive committee and broadly endorsed by the musicians.

In full disclosure, Mike Rosen admitted “I don’t like labor unions” and “haven’t gone to a symphony concert in probably 10 years, maybe longer.” Apparently this is the perfect forum for Miller and Clinton who chose to put themselves on public display with a talk show host who knows nothing of the subject matter except that he shares their political ideology.

The parallel in the wedding industry is to simply give the raucous family member the microphone and let their abusive behavior come to an abrupt, although embarrassing resolution.

The Colorado Symphony Board of Trustees announced today that it has appointed Gene Sobczak as its new President & CEO. In addition, six new trustees have been elected to the board.

Gene Sobczak currently serves as Executive Director of the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities and has held the position since 2007. Previously, he served as Executive Vice President for the Colorado Symphony from 2002-2007. While at the Arvada Center, Sobczak has increased market recognition, centralized business operations, and developed successful programming, sales and marketing strategies. At the Colorado Symphony, he was instrumental in building and growing online ticket sales, plus generated an overall 47% increase in ticket sales. Sobczak serves on the Arts for Colorado Board of Trustees and the Colorado Task Force for Arts Education in Workforce Development, among other board positions.

By Pete Vriesenga

The sudden, September exodus of twenty CSO board members will be remembered as a fortuitous change for the better, creating a welcome opening for new and returning leaders who are committed to building the orchestra’s future and maintaining stature as a world-class orchestra. Our community is deeply thankful for this show of support and direction from true patrons of the arts. This was not the case in recent years while the orchestra was under the powerful grip of individuals in pursuit of personal agendas and pointless, anti-union ideology.

The latest twist in this sordid story is a vindictive, politically-charged editorial by resigned CSO board members Heather K. Miller and Bruce Clinton that ran in the Denver Post on November 13. Former board members Martha Clinton, Steve Holtze, Bernard Schotters, Kevin Duncan and Gary Lutz contributed to this editorial that lashes out at the very organization they were sworn to support only weeks ago. In an effort to cover their tracks and personal board failings, they go on to blame the Musicians Union that is “more focused on preserving an unrealistic labor contract than preserving the future of the symphony and their very jobs.”

Miller and Clinton claim that “Under the leadership of former president and CEO Jim Palermo, executive salaries were cut and creative programs were designed to expand the symphony’s audience appeal.” That would be an excellent point if it were true. But the facts show that from 2009 and 2011, costs for orchestra, artistic and chorus declined from 75% to 65% of total costs (decrease of $339,000) while admin/marketing/development increased from 25% to 35% (increase of $1,480,000) during the same period. At the bargaining table we repeatedly asked Palermo for any examples where management executives would be sharing the sacrifice that he was forcing upon the musicians. Palermo gave no example, and in fact responded by saying that he must reserve the right to give his top executives raises as he sees fit.
Read On

Red Rocks Amphitheatre
Morrison, CO
Thu, Jul 12, 2012 07:30 PM
2012 will commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Denver Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and also commemorates the 15th death anniversary of John Denver. The concert will simultaneously act as a benefit for the Komen Denver Affiliate, in which $2.00 for every ticket sold will be donated. Click here for pre-sale tickets!

Our Musical Heritage, Inc. (OMH) a Colorado 501c(3) non-profit arm of the Denver Musicians Association (DMA) has set up a CSO Musicians Assistance Fund. This Fund will accept tax-deductible contributions from the general public who wish to assist Colorado Symphony Orchestra (CSO) musicians who are facing financial challenges due to a reduction in scheduled concerts for at least the next two months. Funds will be disbursed to the CSO musicians in consultation with an Assistance Fund Committee. Cash or checks will be accepted. Checks should be made out to Our Musical Heritage, Inc. (or OMH) and mailed to: Our Musical Heritage, Inc., 1165 Delaware Street, Denver CO 80204.

Dr. Wesley Verne Blomster died October 1, 2011 of prostate cancer. Wes had a distinguished career as a German professor at the University of Colorado and as a local and international music critic. As a child of the Great Depression, Wes lived the American Dream and left a legacy of students and a love and passion for music, literature, and the arts that has no equal. Wes is survived by his brother Dwayn Blomster, his son Thomas and daughter in law Nikki Tsuchiya, and Wesley’s divorced wife Adelheid Blomster. Wes requested that memorial contributions be made to his son Thomas’ orchestra:
Colorado Chamber Orchestra
1820 Race Street
Denver, CO 80206-1116
Condolences may be mailed to Thomas at the same address above (1820 Race St).
Plans are being made by the family for a concert next year celebrating Wes.
“I’m proud to say that I knew your father for all of my years as a DMA officer. Wes was one of the few who would “stand up’ for the arts community, and also in a literal sense when he would rise up and be heard at public meetings. He strongly asserted that the arts truly must be there for the community, or don’t bother.
I say with admiration that Wes Blomster saw the arts as we do, but I suddenly realize the opposite: We are who we are because of him.
To a great man.”
Pete Vriesenga, President, Denver Musicians Association, Local 20-623
More

DENVER—October 12, 2011 – The Colorado Symphony Board of Trustees announced today that it has appointed Jim Copenhaver as the association’s Interim President and CEO, replacing James Palermo.

Jim Copenhaver served as past Executive Director to the Colorado Symphony and is a Senior Partner with JC Enterprises, a management consulting firm. He recently served as Interim President/CEO of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters in Washington, DC.

Over the next two months, the CSA board, under the leadership of newly elected co-chairs, Jerome Kern and Mary Rossick Kern, are working diligently with the staff and musicians to revise the existing budget and create a financially maintainable business model.

DENVER – October 5, 2011 – The Colorado Symphony Board of Trustees today announced revisions to the fall concert schedule of the 2011/12 season. During October and November, the orchestra will perform a schedule designed to control costs and restore financial stability. The musicians of the Colorado Symphony have agreed that in order to facilitate the new schedule, they will accept a further reduction in weekly pay during this period. No changes are planned for Colorado Symphony education programs such as Youth Concerts and Petite Musique. All December 2011 holiday concerts will also proceed as planned.

In addition, the Colorado Symphony announced that Jerome H. Kern and his wife, Mary Rossick Kern, have been elected to serve as co-chairs of the Colorado Symphony Association board of trustees. The Kerns served as past co-chairs of the board of trustees. The Colorado Symphony board of trustees is a volunteer board comprised of community and business leaders, CSO musicians, as well as performing arts advocates.

It is the Colorado Symphony’s goal to resume full operations on December 5, 2011. Over the next two months, the board of trustees, musicians and management will work diligently to revise the existing budget and create a financially sustainable business model. During this period, the administrative staff will continue to provide essential services and participate in creating an amended operational plan.

Musicians also took a 24% pay cut in 2009

Denver, CO – Today, the Colorado Symphony Musicians voted to accept a proposal from management to take a 9% pay cut in the form of two unpaid furlough weeks and an additional 5% pay cut to base pay to save the symphony from shutting its doors. They also took a 24% pay cut back in 2009 in order to save the symphony then.

The Colorado Symphony Association Board will meet today at 1pm to decide whether to keep the Colorado Symphony Orchestra operating. The musicians hope the very generous gift they gave totaling $530,000 persuades the board to continue operations and find donors in the community to match the gift the musicians have given.

“There is a long road yet to sustainability but we the musicians believe we have made huge sacrifices along the way to ensure that Colorado has a top rated world class full-time professional symphony orchestra,” stated Susan Cahill a Double Bass player for the symphony.

“The musicians who play for the symphony love this city and love making music together. We don’t want to see the Symphony shut its doors so we stepped up in an amazing and generous way to help ensure the Symphony’s future,” added Justin Bartels the Principal Trumpet player.

The Aurora Symphony Orchestra is looking for a dynamic, knowledgeable, experienced, and passionate individual to manage the musical programming and to direct orchestra musicians by filling our Music Director and Conductor position.
Potential candidates are invited to view the welcome letter, which describes the application process, read a complete description of the position, and apply by visiting http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NF8NKRQ.

Any questions and requests for further information should be directed to MusicDirectorSearch@aurorasymphony.org.

Please assist us in our search, by providing this notice to any and all potential candidates that you feel might have an interest.

Lone Tree’s Pay-to-Play Orchestra in Concert, Saturday, July 23
By Pete Vriesenga

Public funding for symphony orchestras has become more and more scarce, which comes as no surprise. According to the American Symphony Orchestra League, public funding for symphony orchestras as a national average is now just 4%.

Incredibly, the Lone Tree Symphony, a pay-to-play orchestra, shattered this depressing statistic. LTSO’s 2009 reports show that approximately 80% of the orchestra’s $57,900 budget come from government sources. Much of this money became available to the LTSO after the November 2004 election when Lone Tree residents voted to participate in the SCFD Taxing District.
Read On

By Pete Vriesenga

Richard Kolacny, who joined the DMA in 1947, recently called the office to pay his annual dues. I was privileged to take his call and personally thanked him for 64 years of dedicated support for causes of professional musicians.

As president of Kolacny Music, a family-owned business since 1930, Richard Kolacny’s dedicated support to our local community shines bigger than life. I join many thousands of music professionals in thanking the Kolacny family for more than 80 years of service to our community. How many lifetime friendships and associations have been forged over this time, and how do we put a price on that?
Full Story

My wife, Mary Louise, is a professional musician….so we know firsthand how musicians struggle to make a living, while giving pleasure to thousands. I am aware of the concerns Denver’s professional musicians have in the face of orchestral budget cuts, and I look forward to working with you to ensure that Denver’s fine musicians command the compensation they deserve. As Mayor, I will initiate discussions, locally and regionally, to review arts and culture public funding policies, to ensure that fair competitive practices are maintained.
Read On

Professional musicians should know that I’m a strong supporter of a vibrant arts and cultural community. I also recognize that commercial and nonprofit music industries are invaluable assets that provide considerable economic impact. DMA members are responsible for creating this economy, so it’s only fitting that this same economy must provide and grow employment opportunities for professional musicians. If elected Mayor, I can assure you that a strong partnership between the City of Denver, the Arts and related music industries will continue and grow.
Read On

Professional musicians continue to suffer substantial loss of income because of SCFD’s non-competitive practices while taxpayer dollars are irresponsibly damaging our economy. In his May 3 letter to me, SCFD board Chair James Harrington defends that SCFD is creating jobs and meeting its statutory requirements. My May 5 response to Mr. Harrington states my position as I’ve stated for 15 years … that none of this is true.

The Cherry Creek Chorale has engaged the Boulder Symphony Orchestra (BSO) for concerts scheduled on October 14, 2011 and May 18, 2012. Sadly, freelance musicians are again learning the hard way that they cannot possibly compete against two publicly-funded organizations that choose to pool their resources in this manner. Under the baton of Maestro Devin Hughes, the Boulder Symphony has hit the ground running by undermining the local industry with their SCFD-funded ‘pay-to-play’ business model.

DENVER – April 19, 2011 – The Colorado Symphony today announced that it has ratified a new three-year agreement with the Denver Musicians Association – Local 20-623 of the American Federation of Musicians in Denver, Colorado – on behalf of the musicians of the Colorado Symphony. The new agreement paves the way for the Colorado Symphony to finish institutional visioning work and launch an intensive long-range planning process. In addition, new community-focused concerts and educational programming will remain a focus, all the while continuing plans for the renovation of Boettcher Concert Hall and the search for a new music director.

By Pete Vriesenga

I have been calling attention to SCFD’s bad policy for 15 years, all the while explaining why their indiscriminate annual distribution of $40 million is doing more harm than good. For the most part this has been a futile effort because we are now facing a culture shift in our community that, driven by ignorance, deliberate intent or both, is systematically killing jobs by converting our remaining professional music economy into publicly-funded volunteerism.

How do we wake our “leaders” to the simple fact that these precious tax dollars must work in harmony with our industry and to ensure that taxpayers finally get what they bargained for? Pointed, healthy discussion going forward is our best hope, provided we can find someone willing to represent the alternate point of view. Robin McNeil has now stepped into this role, at least for the moment. McNeil is a former Executive Director of the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra and now maintains his OpusColorado arts blog.

My recent commentary Please attend SCFD’s public meeting on March 24, 2011 caught McNeil’s attention. On March 26, McNeil posted his commentary to mine which he titled Bullying the SCFD. McNeil tosses out weak and unfounded assertions that, at the very least, require my counter back to him. But despite repeated attempts to post my response to his blog, McNeil has deliberately silenced me … for now.

Click here to read my rebuttal that McNeil and OpusColorado never published.

By Pete Vriesenga

I posted an announcement and commentary on March 22nd entitled: Please attend SCFD’s public meeting on March 24, 2011. My hope was to let our community of professional musicians know that our industry is again in jeopardy because of irresponsible decisions of the SCFD board and administrators. Thankfully, many members responded and filled all remaining chairs in the meeting room. Most were members of the Colorado Chamber Orchestra (CCO).

At stake was the fact that SCFD rejected CCO’s application to apply for funding in the upcoming grant cycle. Among reasons given were that CCO often performs in churches and has played benefit concerts (one for the homeless in Denver and another for AIDS infants in Africa). God forbid if CCO carried through with such good deeds in its past, and what a sad testament of just how silly SCFD policy [or lack thereof] has become. Read On

Dance, dance and dance some more
Friday, April 15 at Moments Notice’s Club Roxy
Four Seasons Hotel : 1111 14th Street, Denver, 80202

7:30pm-midnight : Four Seasons Grand Ballroom : Jerry Barnett Orchestra

10:00pm : Four Seasons Ballroom Foyer : Club X, the next generation of Moments Notice bands

$30/ticket – $1 for each year of partying
To benefit the Denver Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for Cure
Click to purchase tickets at BlackTie.com
$25 certificate towards dinner for two at EDGE Restaurant
Special Four Seasons Hotel room rate – $165 per night – 303.389.3000

Casual party attire-no ties, tuxs or gowns : Fun only-no speeches
Cash bar : $10 discounted valet parking
For more information: 303.791.7792

Labor protests in Wisconsin and across the Midwest have shown once again that public protest is often our only tool to reverse bad policy & legislation. There’s no shortage of bad policy that is dragging our local industry down and the worst offender continues to be the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). As in Wisconsin, we have no option but to stand up collectively to SCFD’s anti-labor practices or suffer the consequences as work opportunities continue to erode. The occasion for our show of solidarity will be a public SCFD meeting on Thursday, March 24 at 1:00 PM. We need as many DMA members to show as we can possibly turn out.
Read On

A model for innovation that doesn’t even “qualify” for SCFD funding
By Pete Vriesenga

In its three years of operation, the Colorado Chamber Orchestra (CCO) has shown an unprecedented 300% growth in budget. CCO regularly brings professional musicians into the schools through its own innovative school program. In collaboration with Denver’s Trinity United Methodist Church, the CCO helped fund a downtown soup kitchen for the homeless without taking one dime in overhead. CCO performs in churches and schools throughout the metro area and regularly premiers new works by local composers. Orchestra members are compensated under a collective bargaining agreement with the DMA and receive a pension contribution paid by CCO.

The Scientific & Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) collects $40 million annually in tax revenue from seven metro-Denver counties and funds over 350 organizations. Incredibly, SCFD has turned CCO away and won’t even accept CCO’s application.
Full Story

It is with a heavy heart that we share with you the death of Miss Lillian Covillo. Together, with lifelong friend and business partner Freidann Parker, Miss Covillo co-founded one of Denver’s oldest and most established arts organizations, Colorado Ballet. She died peacefully at the age 89.

Denver, CO (November 29, 2010) – Colorado Creative Industries, a new division of the state Office of Economic Development, merges the former Colorado Council on the Arts, the Office of Film, Television and Media, and the state’s Art in Public Places program. The division has scheduled a Listening Tour from December 2 through January 15 to gather final feedback before publishing the division’s new strategic plan, and to provide training on the division’s largest grant program, Colorado Creates.

By Pete Vriesenga

Two months ago I wrote a commentary about the Niwot Timberline Symphony’s recent name change to the Boulder Symphony Orchestra. The question at the time was why? Why would a community orchestra, with no financial or competitive worries, deliberately confuse name branding with the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra? The answer boils down to shameless commerce as negotiated in the BSO’s rental agreement with First Presbyterian Church in Boulder. Renting out the sanctuary for rehearsals and concerts wasn’t quite good enough. BSO musicians must also perform for The Glory of Christmas, which was the bread and butter of professional musicians for two decades. BSO musicians will now do it for free.

My recent email exchange with BSO Board President Emily Schmidt confirmed the missing pieces as described above. There should be no need for any DMA members to question that they must break ties with the BSO immediately, but I’ll follow up with each to be sure.
Comments

Approximately 30 community orchestras are now established in metro Denver, which is an extraordinary number. Some are invaluable community partners, but others have no understanding of purpose, nor do they show regard for our industry. The responsibility to identify and support only those organizations that prove to be genuine community partners therefore rests entirely on each and every one of us. DMA standards and subsequent member obligations are now clearly delineated in the DMA Policy on Community Orchestras & Bands. This policy mirrors the established Music Code of Ethics, which is an AFM/MENC agreement dating back to 1947 that defines the jurisdictions of professional musicians and school musicians.
Comments

This past July, the board president of the Timberline Symphony Orchestra registered a new trade name “Boulder Symphony Orchestra” with the Colorado Secretary of State, accompanied by the requisite $20 filing fee. Many in the community are asking why this volunteer community orchestra is deliberately confusing name branding with the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra?
Read On

When Will Schwarz stepped down as Music Director of the Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra in 1999 he quipped: “I think 50 years is long enough”. Maestro Schwarz always had a quick wit and sharp intellect, and this tongue-in-cheek comment was typical of him.

Maestro Schwartz joined the music faculty at CSU in 1949 after serving in the military and touring as a solo violinist. He felt that Fort Collins would be a good place to raise a family and immediately took over the reins of the Fort Collins Symphony.

“Attention shoppers! Can I get a price check on a cellist?”

The Whole Foods store in the Streets at Southglenn (University and Arapahoe) will be donating 5% of all sales this Wednesday August 11th to the Junior Symphony Guild’s “Inside the Orchestra” programs— benifiting the DMA musicians who make up the ensemble.

This is part of Whole Foods’ Community Giving Day— and is at the Southglenn store only. Student pianists who perform with the orchestra will be giving a recital throughout the day and Music Director Tom Jensen will be helping “bag groceries” in white tie and tails.

KUSA channel 9’s Kirk Montgomery will be there to film a piece for their 4P newscast.

This is a great way to help fund our local musicians while buying food that you need anyway!

So come out and support the JSG and your DMA musicians this Wednesday August 11!

JSG Website

The legislative session was fruitful for arts advocates this year. In January, Governor Ritter announced a package of three pieces of legislation to target the creative sector as a strategy for economic growth. All three bills have passed the House and Senate and now await the Governor’s signature. The Governor’s Office is working to schedule a bill signing event during the week of May 3, which will likely be held at the Art Institute of Colorado.

The University of Denver, Lamont School of Music Summer Pre-College Academy is still accepting applications for the 2010 program, June 19 – July 3. Scholarships are available on several instruments. Click Here for more information.

Sunday, April 18th, 10-5 p.m., at Red & Jerry’s, Oxford & Santa Fe, [south] Denver/Englewood/Sheridan. ALL AGES, FREE, FREE parking! More than 40 booths, seminars, live artists outside on the CarToys/Aftershock Stage. For complete schedule of events: Colorado Music Business Organization

Community orchestras are flourishing in metro Denver, and largely because of easy access to public funds through the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District. These thirty-plus organizations provide a welcome performance outlet for many musicians, but offer few job opportunities for professionals who are struggling more than ever to pay the mortgage and put food on the table. How do we at least ensure that community ensembles work collaboratively and in harmony with professional ensembles?

The Colorado Chamber Orchestra is pleased to announce our 2010 Valentines Day Benefit Concert for the Capitol Hill Community Services Soup Kitchen raised $4000 for the soup kitchen at Trinity United Methodist Church. In addition, the concert was an artistic success and the musicians were paid. We are proud that not a dime of public or tax monies were used for this benefit concert. www.cochamberorchestra.com

Every summer, residents of Lone Tree, CO and neighboring communities enjoy a free concert by the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. These concerts are presented in Sweetwater Park by the City of Lone Tree, but this coming summer the Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra (a volunteer community orchestra) will replace the CSO. A CSO file photo still adorns the Lone Tree Summer Concerts website, but now accompanies a July 24 listing for the LTSO.

As most of you now know, Jason Johnston’s baby son, Owen, passed away on Monday, February 1st. A memorial service is being held this Friday. Here are the details from Michelle Shah…

METRO NORTH REGION, COLO —- On Friday, January 29th Terri Fisher, President and Owner of 5 Star Talent & Entertainment, Inc. was honored at the Metro North Chamber’s Annual Gala event with “Small Business Person of the Year.” This unique, prestigious award recognizes an individual who best represents the entrepreneurial spirit and has shown outstanding support to the Chamber and the Metro North Chamber membership.

You cannot imagine my disappointment when I read the news Wednesday morning that the Denver City Council voted 8 – 4 to approve the contract with Open Air to show a month of movies at Civic Center Park.

An open letter to Mayor Hickenlooper and special assistant to the mayor Chantal Unfug:

I am very disappointed to read the front page article in the December issue of Neighborhood Life about Month of movies possible for Civic Center. I understand that the city of Denver is financially strapped, but why does the city need to have a company from Switzerland present and make money off of showing films at Civic Center for $20 a ticket? Shame on Mayor Hickenlooper and Chantal Unfug, special assistant to the mayor! Shame on you for not involving local arts groups and presenters!!

Things were moving along for veteran jazz duo Perpetual Motion with plans underway to record their fifth CD when violinist Josie Quick was sidelined with lupus, an autoimmune disease affecting joints and other tissue.

Today, through the care of a great doctor and alternative therapies, Quick is back playing again. Her jazz ensemble, Perpetual Motion, is celebrating with a comeback concert on Saturday, December 19 at 8:00 pm at the Swallow Hill Music Association, 71 East Yale Avenue in Denver. Phone 303-777-1003 for tickets or visit www.swallowhillmusic.org.

The Colorado Symphony Orchestra and Colorado Public Radio are conducting an historic, one-time co-venture fundraising drive to support the Colorado Symphony—the major classical music and program provider for CPR. Our partner, Colorado Public Radio, is graciously conducting an on-air fundraising campaign, Bringing the Music to Life, on behalf of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. The on-air drive begins November 30 and culminates on December 2 with a live broadcast of the Orchestra’s sold out performance featuring musical icon Yo-Yo Ma.

To make a contribution now, please click here. For more information about the campaign, please click here for the full news release.

Parlando School for the Arts is holding its first Composition Competition for student composers.

The Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) Board of Directors at their meeting on September 24th selected Gully Stanford to be the recipient of the 2009 Rex Morgan Citizen Volunteer Award. The award honors a resident living within the boundaries of SCFD (Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson Counties) who models citizenship and volunteerism for the benefit of the cultural community. The award was named after Rex Morgan who served as a leader, volunteer, and advocate who pursued a regional vision, SCFD, for the benefit of the community.

The Colorado Symphony Association and the musicians of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra have reached agreement on a new contract. The new contract will cover the musicians through the 2009-10 season and the 2010 summer season.

CSO musicians have agreed to accept a reduction in pay of 12.5 percent, and will take up to four weeks of unpaid furlough. Employer contributions to the musicians’ private retirement fund will be suspended, but 3% contributions to AFM-EPF shall continue.
Information and Tickets

The Colorado Council on the Arts Announces
The 2010 Governor’s Arts Award
Nomination Form Now Available Online

DENVER—(September 10, 2009) The Colorado Council on the Arts and Arts for Colorado announce that 2010 Governor’s Arts Award nomination forms are now available online at www.coloarts.org.

COLORADO JOBS IN THE ARTS RECEIVE $568,040
IN AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT (ARRA) FUNDS

DENVER, CO ­— September 10, 2009 — The Colorado Council on the Arts (CCA), the Denver Office of Cultural Affairs (DOCA), and the Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF) today announced 47 Colorado non-profit arts organizations will receive $568,040 in federal recovery funds to preserve or restore 313 salaried and contract positions.

After several years of operating as a non-profit, the Colorado Film Commission is pleased to announce that effective July 1, 2009 the commission is now the Colorado Office of Film, Television & Media and is part of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development & International Trade, and a division of the Colorado Council on the Arts.

DENVER, July 27, 2009-Governor Bill Ritter has made three new appointments and one reappointment to the eleven-member board of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District. At the July 23, 2009 meeting of the SCFD board, Board Chairman James Harrington thanked outgoing board members Dan Hopkins and Jake Zambrano for their three years of service to the District and its citizens. Mr. Harrington swore in new board members Khadija K. Haynes, Dave Montez and Shepard Nevel to their first terms.

Renee Grant-Williams’ Vocal Master Clinic Denver will be held Saturday, August 15th at the Highland Recreation Center, 2880 Osceola Street (29th & Osceola), Denver Colorado. Grant-Williams is one of the most sought-after vocal coaches in music today and her clients include such well known artists as Miley Cyrus, Keith Urban, Faith Hill, Christina Aquilera, Tim McGraw, Martina McBride, Kenny Chesney, and Bob Weir (Grateful Dead). See Flyer for more info.

The Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD) requests nominations for the 2009 Rex Morgan Citizen Volunteer Award. The award honors a resident living within the boundaries of SCFD (Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, and Jefferson Counties) who models citizenship and volunteerism for the benefit of the cultural community. The recipient of the award will reflect the qualities of Rex Morgan after whom the award is named. Mr. Morgan served as a leader, volunteer, and advocate who pursued a regional vision, SCFD, for the benefit of the community. He enlisted the help of many of his contacts and used his energy and knowledge of the legislative process to make SCFD a reality.

After 114 years, the Potenza Lodge has canceled the appearance of the Denver Feast Band at the St. Rocco Feast. The event will take place August 14-15-16, at their hall and at Mt. Carmel Church. They blame a shortage of funds for the cancellation. This puts 28 musicians out of a job for that weekend.

On June 4th Governor Ritter signed House Bill 1010, which recreates the Film Commission as a state agency within the Colorado Office of Economic Development effective July 1st.

“Movie production is a fantastic source of economic growth for the communities where these films are made,” said Sen. Gibbs. “By encouraging more films to be made in Colorado we will stimulate our economy, get more Coloradans to work, and grow more Colorado businesses.

Lawrence Leighton Smith will hand off the baton after 11 years as music director of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic and its predecessor, the Colorado Springs Symphony Orchestra. Smith announced his decision at a rehearsal for Mahler’s Symphony No. 9 on Wednesday night. His final concert will be in Spring of 2011.

April 28, 2009 – Turning 40 for Lakewood just got a little more fun. Lakewood is calling on those who live, work, go to school or own a business in the city to participate in its competition to name an official tree, flower and song for Lakewood’s 40th anniversary.

The DMA is proud to announce that former member, newsletter/website editor Ken Davies is the winner of the Eastern Trombone Workshop National Trombone Composition. Ken’s Three Pieces for Bass Trombone and Piano, receives a world premier performance in a 3/21 recital by Chicago Symphony bass trombonist, Charlie Vernon, at the Eastern Trombone Workshop, one of America’s foremost trombone festivals, at Ft. Myer, VA.

The current proposal for the State’s budget balancing plan includes a 50% reduction for the Colorado Council on the Arts. Such a cut would seriously impact the agency’s ability to continue to provide the grants and services for artists, community organizations, schools, creative businesses, and government agencies at its current level. The agency has scheduled a Listening Tour from January 30 through February 10 to gather important public feedback regarding the critical areas in which state investment is essential to support our state’s creative economy.

The 2008 honorees are Charles Burrell, Denver Young Artists Orchestra, Su Teatro and The Bloomsbury Review. In addition, the Mayor’s Cultural Legacy Award will be presented to Noël Congdon. A reception will be held on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

(January 8, 2009) The CSO today announces the appointment of James W. Palermo as its new President and CEO. Palermo comes to Denver from Chicago, Illinois, where he served for 14 seasons as the artistic and general director of the Grant Park Music Festival. Accepting the appointment, Palermo states, “I am delighted to be joining the Colorado Symphony Orchestra as its next president and CEO, and I look forward to working with its musicians, Music Director Jeffrey Kahane, the Board of Trustees, volunteers and staff to make it one of the premier ensembles in the country.

With your help he did it! Or rather they did it – President-Elect Obama, Vice President Elect Biden, Governor Ritter, Senator-Elect Udall and a host of dedicated Americans from both sides of the aisle and unaffiliated. Be sure to visit
artsobamacolorado.com for updates from the Obama National Arts Policy Committee. Right now, you can
view photos of Obama, artists, and arts supporters who have worked on his behalf during this amazing election process.

Senator Obama has articulated a solid platform for support of the arts – one which would provide an unprecedented opportunity for development of the arts and culture in the US as never before. Be present this Sunday, in Denver’s Civic Center Park, where Obama will speak and you can hear his inspiring message in person. This Sunday, Oct 26, Barack Obama will be speaking in Denver. Be there, volunteer, pitch-in, bring friends.

Colorado Department of Education & Colorado Council on the Arts
A first-of-its-kind study by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) and the Colorado Council on the Arts (CCA) reveals that public high schools offering more arts education have higher academic achievement, regardless of student ethnicity or socioeconomic status.

Click on the above link for the rest of this story

Colorado Council on the Arts (CCA) One way in which the Colorado Council on the Arts supports the arts in our state is to provide grants that leverage local support for arts and cultural activities in communities across Colorado. Colorado…
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At their regular meeting held on Thursday, August 21, 2008, the SCFD Board of Directors passed Resolution No. 08-07 to allocate $8,880,890.00 to 27 qualified and certified organizations comprising Tier II. These 27 organizations receive a designated proportion of the statutory 21% distribution of SCFD funds.

Religious Organizations are the nation’s second-largest employer of professional musicians – second only to Performing Arts Companies . I thank our local community of churches for the enormity of great music they produce, and also take this opportunity to highlight one very fine example: Montview Boulevard Presbyterian Church in Denver, and music director John Kuzma.

Music & entertainment are among the largest industries in the world. The Vail Valley Music Festival, for example, is so flush with cash they’re importing FOUR very-pricey orchestras this summer: the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic, to satisy the musical palate of this affluent community.

The Colorado Chamber Players has received a grant of $10,000 from Chamber Music America (CMA), the national service organization for the ensemble music profession, to conduct an extended residency at the Children’s Hospital in Aurora. Critically ill children, their families, staff and the public will be able to attend three noon-time lecture-demonstration concerts designed for children in the new Boettcher Atrium during the 2008-09 season.

Denver Post: With bachelor and master of music performance degrees under her belt, Tamara Meredith envisioned a life as a college professor, focusing on her specialization in early music.

But things didn’t quite work out that way. Instead, she is the full-time director of the Eaton Public Library, and the flutist and violist performs on the side with the Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado and the Dallas Bach Society, and substitutes as needed in a few area modern orchestras.

… Such patchwork lives are common in the classical world. While a handful of the field’s star soloists can command as much as $100,000 for an appearance, thousands of other musicians must scramble to make ends meet.

“Taking Action Together” is the theme of the 2008 National Performing Arts Convention (NPAC), which will take place in Denver on June 10 – 14. NPAC will lay the foundation for future cross-disciplinary collaborations, cooperative programs and effective advocacy.

Colorado Springs, Colo. – The Colorado Springs Philharmonic Orchestra Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Nathan Newbrough as Executive Director of the Philharmonic. Having recently served as Executive Director of the Amarillo Symphony, Newbrough will replace Executive Director Susan Greene, who retired in March after five years with the Philharmonic. Newbrough will start in early August.