Thursday, August 16, 2012

Strings Season 25 in Pictures

Strings Music Festival - Steamboat Springs, CO
As we wrap up our 25th Anniversary Season with Asleep at the Wheel this Friday, I thought I’d take a moment and give you a snapshot of this summer. Thank you to all who shared this exceptional season with us.




MASS Ensemble ~ June 30
William Close came to Strings Music Festival in the midst of his America’s Got Talent competition to play the strings of the giant Earth Harp. After performing here, Howie Mandel of America’s Got Talent said, “I would pay any amount of money to see that show.” And just think – some of you got to see it for free!



Free Community Day ~ July 1
1,000 community members showed up for four hours of music and dancing with Earth Harp, Drum Orb, African Dance and Drum Ensemble, and Jasmir Belly Dancers performances.



Tesla Quartet
This year our young Artist-in-Residence quartet was the Tesla Quartet, and we enjoyed hearing them play at Music on the Green, outreach performances, chamber concerts, and orchestra concerts.



Kitchen and Garden Tour ~ July 21
We had the biggest ever Kitchen and Garden Tour this year with 503 participants and a gorgeous day for touring seven Steamboat homes.



Chris Botti ~ July 27
In the most magical concert of the summer, Chris Botti and his talented band wooed the audience with pieces ranging from smooth jazz, to soul, to classical.


k.d. lang and the siss boom bang ~ August 3
With a show like the Pavilion has never seen before, k.d. lang blew away the crowd with her heartfelt vocals and powerful stage presence.



Classical Finale Orchestra ~ August 4
The classical season ended with a full stage of orchestra musicians and Wendy Chen at the piano.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Steamboat Springs All Arts Festival


August 15 - August 19, 2012


Did you know that of all the arts and culture events attendees, 59% travel to any given area specifically to experience arts and culture? With all those arts and culture tourists out there, it’s no wonder that Steamboat Springs’ all encompassing All Arts Festival is such a hit with locals and visitors alike.  

From August 15 to August 19, the 2012 All Arts Festival will bring you the best of visual art, music, and culture of Steamboat Springs and the Yampa Valley. Whether you like fine art, historical art, dance, theatre, opera, orchestra, western swing, or bluegrass, you’re sure to enjoy all Steamboat has to offer this coming weekend. 

If music is your favorite art form, here’s what we recommend: 

Wednesday August 15
Emerald City Opera’s 10th Anniversary Concert – 7:00pm, Strings Music Pavilion

Thursday August 16
Music on the Green with John Gibbs and Randy Kelley – 12:15, Yampa River Botanic Park

Friday August 17
Asleep at the Wheel – 8:00pm, Strings Music Pavilion

Saturday August 18
Steamboat Springs Symphony Orchestra Opening Concert – 7:00pm, Strings Music Pavilion

Sunday August 19
Meet the Maestro Ernest Richardson, Steamboat Springs Symphony Orchestra – 6:00pm

Click here for the full schedule of events.

Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Music of the 2012 Olympic Games


Picture the summer Olympics. Gymnasts flying through the air, swimmers reaching for the wall, runners sprinting for the finish line. A full sized symphony orchestra?

Yes, indeed. The London Philharmonic Orchestra performed at the 2012 Opening Cermony. But before we get to the musical athletes themselves, we must first pay tribute to the Olympic theme music. NBC's broadcast of the Olympic games wouldn't be complete without the "bum, bum, ba bum bum bum bum" before and after every commercial break. Of course, there have been other Olympic themes throughout the years, which are covered in a fun post by NPR. And let’s not forget about all the national anthems played during the medal ceremonies for the best athletes in the world.



Friday, August 3, 2012

Hot Air Balloons Land at Strings


Every morning in Steamboat Springs you can see a hot air balloon rising into the crisp blue sky above Emerald Mountain. The funny thing about hot air balloons is you never know where they’re going to land. And sometimes they like to stop at Strings for a concert….

Hot Air Balloon at Strings Music Pavilion


I remember…

“Hot air balloons landing on the lawn at Torian Plum during classical concerts.”

“Hot air balloons landing outside the tent during an adagio movment – you couldn’t hear a thing!”