Aspen, CO-Colorado is justly famous for its winters filled with pristine ski slopes and myriad outdoor activities. But it is during Colorado's glorious summer months that visitors to its mountain resort communities have the unique opportunity to experience classical music presentations in some of the most compelling and breathtaking locations in the country. To increase public awareness of the diversity of classical music offerings in the mountains, and to encourage summer tourism, the Colorado Music Alliance has been created.
Consisting of summer festivals as diverse as the venerable 53-year-old Aspen Music Festival and School and the 70-year-old Central City Opera, to 15-year-old Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival and Steamboat Springs' Strings in the Mountains, the Colorado Music Alliance is a loosely organized group totaling ten summer music festivals with an emphasis on classical music. Together, they and their smaller brethren, in towns that include Breckenridge, Colorado Springs, Crested Butte, Durango, and Ouray, draw more than 320,000 visitors annually deep into the Rockies for 850+ concerts each season. In all, visitors can sample a full menu of classical music from symphonic and chamber music concerts, to solo recitals and fully-staged opera productions. Venues include beautifully restored Victorian opera houses, open-air pavilions and tents, and intimate, acoustically acclaimed recital halls. It's an intoxicating mix of world-class music and unforgettable settings.
More than simply local cultural institutions, the members of the Alliance also generate a significant fiscal contribution to the state's coffers. Last year the festivals of the Colorado Music Alliance contributed more than $80 million to the state's economy.
In an effort to reach potential visitors, the Colorado Music Alliance has created a web site listing members and their contact information, season information, and links to the member festivals. With an eye towards encouraging travel to multiple festivals, the members also plan to offer visitors to their web site the opportunity to receive discounts on tickets to their respective festivals. The web site launches at the end of April.
The Colorado Music Alliance is made up of the following organizations:For more detailed information about the Colorado Music Alliance and its members, call Wes Blomster at 303-444-0322 or visit the Colorado Music Alliance web site at www.ColoradoMusicAlliance.com.
FESTIVAL MUSIC DIRECTOR URGES
ACTION ON PENDING NEA LEGISLATION
Aspen, Colo -- The following remarks were made by Aspen Music Festival
Music Director Lawrence Poster prior to the Aspen Festival Orchestra
concert of Sunday, July 16; 1995:
Sometimes there is a convergence of forces that provokes one to speak and I
feel that for me the time is now I present you with five elements and
invite you to draw your own conclusions.
1) Last week, following a parliamentary maneuver that limited debate to
ten minutes, the House of Representatives voted to cripple the NEA
next year and kill it in two.
2) A new film, "Kids", documents and coolly dramatizes the increasing
depth of despair, crime, disease, drug use, and general lack of
motivation to which increasing numbers of our youth are falling
victim.
3) In our modest way we try here in Aspen, in this very American yet un-
xenophobic Music Festival, to bring out all that is best in our young
students to enhance through-the arts not only their own self-esteem
but that of all those who care to listen to them.
4) Maestro Munry Sidlin is about to direct an American monument of the
20th century -- Copland's mighty wartime 3rd Symphony -- celebrating
all that was noble in this country as victory over fascism approached
50 years ago. There was then no thought of elitism's unattractive
connotations as the Fanfare for the Common Man took flight.
5) Under our great democratic system, you can help turn around a poor
call, by appealing to the Senate to reject the House's indiscretion.
The NEA's budget is small but serves as a symbol that the arts can provoke
and stimulate, yet bind us together as one nation, under God, indivisible,
with education and hope for all.
Let the The NEA live!
Mr. Foster urges everyone to call or write their senators. Colorado `s
senators are:
Hank Brown: 303-844-2600 or 202-224-5941.
Ben Nighthorse Campbell 303-866-1900 or 202-224-5852.
*-TravelBank.Com-*
ASPEN MUSIC FESTIVAL SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
For a complete schedule of events and ticket information, call the Aspen Music
Festival office at 925-3254. Or call the Box Office after June 1 at 925-9042.
KEY:
* = World premiere
# = U.S. premiere
$ = Aspen Music Festival Commission
+ = Composer-in-residence
^ = Visiting composer
1 = Extra fee - See reverse side for information, Festival pass holders admitted
free
2 = Festival pass and Sunday ticket holders only
3 = Festival pass and discount tickets not honored
All performances are at the Tent unless otherwise noted.
All events, programs and artists are subject to change.