Winter News 2009/2010

A Strong Finish to a Fabulous Year

2009 came to a close with the annual production of Gian Carlo Menotti’s “Amahl and the Night Visitors”. The cast included several CSC alumni.  Amanda Harvey sang the role of the Mother and  Stephen Ochsner portrayed the dear and deaf  King, Kaspar.  Our community friends, Charles Schnetzer and Jerome Carter returned as Melchior and Balthazar respectfully. Eighty shepherds rounded out the vocal cast to include the four and five year olds in the Novice program to the high school music and theater students.  Our talented friends from Ormao Dance Company were featured in the presentation to the Kings.  Performances at Colorado College, Galileo Middle School, Person Air Force Base, and Fort Carson were all well attended and received. 
Community sponsors included Red Noland Cadillac, Murphy Constructors, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, Kaiser Permanente, among many others.  Without the generosity of these folks, the production would not be possible free to the public.

New Years Eve with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic

CSC Alumni were featured guests with the Colorado Springs Philharmonic.  Matt McMahan, Tripp Fountain, Julia Leonard, Kristen Leich,  to name a few enjoyed the limelight with several currently enrolled students.  The students had the privilege of singing “Seasons of Love” from Rent and “This is the Moment” from Jekyl and Hyde.
Thomas Wilson, associate conductor and CSC instructor was so pleased with the performance and the audience response that he ahs invited the Conservatory alumni back for New Year’s Eve 2010 and has promised no less that six selections to feature the young professionals.

2010 Begins with Jazz

it is the 25th anniversary of the Pikes Peak Jazz and Swing Society. A Regional treasure, the PPJASS has been gracious to the Conservatory and has included the CSC jazz students at a variety of performances and outreaches.  The CSC jazz students Ryan Biondo, James Duckery, and Joe Hazel were joined by CSC faculty member Wayne Wilkinson and performed at one point in the festival.  Many of the CSC jazz faculty are members of the PPJASS. 

In Honor of Martin Luther King

The Conservatory College Prep Music and Theater students were invited to perform for the fourth year in a row for the annual Martin Luther King celebration.  Always eager to create and present a unique message through music, art, and theater this year was no exception.  The students presented a piece that included speeches by Obama, Lincoln, and King as well as the Battle Hymn of the Republic and  “Imagine” by John Lennon.  It was a privilege to be a part of this annual community-wide celebration that is now in it’s 27th year. We thank Ms. Jennifer Barber for always thinking to include the Conservatory. 

Annual Wine Tasting

Always a great bid at the silent Auction of the Koats for Kids event, this year’s wine tasting was help at the lovely home of Francois Raab and attended by 40 guests.  All enjoyed wine from  Weber Street Wine and Craft Beer  as well as beef donated from Mike Callicrate at Ranch Direct Foods.  Music by the CSC students and faculty made for a completely enjoyable and satiating evening.

A Trip Down to Pueblo

The CSC jazz ensemble, along with faculty Jana Lee Ross and John Flores were invited to perform at the Annual Pueblo Chamber of Commerce event at the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center.  This is a premier invitation for the Conservatory and response from ABC Bank President, Chair of the Pueblo Chamber indicates that all in attendance truly enjoyed the music of the CSC group.

Cottonwood Artists

CSC jazz ensemble played to an audience of nearly 2,000 visitors to the Mardi Gras Art Opening at the Cottonwood Arts Center.  Charla MCcGaugh, CSC faculty joined Ryan Biondo, David Musante, and Joe Hazel. 

New CSC Board of Directors

We welcome both Sheri Newell of Colorado Springs Utilities  and Paul Martinez of Dynamic Solutions to the Conservatory Board of Directors.  We thank Mr. Jon Medved for his years of service as he stepped down from the Board this past December.

New CSC Instructors

 We welcome Mr.  Tom Folwer, saxophone as well as Nora Clydesdale who, though a professional cellist is on board to instruct the Head Start students  and teach music theory.  We also are honored to announce that Mr. Dennis Jackson, former professor at CU Boulder will be joining the already strong vocal faculty.  Ms. Hana Kovach instructs the ballet portion of the Dance Workshops.

 

February 2010

Intention Prevent Town Hall

The third ‘Intention Prevention’ Town Hall meeting will be held at Coronado High School on February 18th at 6PM.  This community meeting is  free andopen to the public.  The Colorado Springs Conservatory students have been a critical partner in this honest and open discussion about the challenges that teens fight daily in regard to drug use and abuse.  They have served as steering committee members and will perform at the event. 

 

Three Phantoms with the Philharmonic

Select CSC Music and Theater students have been selected to perform at the Pikes Peak Center during the February Valentine’s Day concert.  CC Wells, Michael Dewar, Caroline Carr, Kiera Eller, Mark Autry,  David Musante, and Joelle Sostheim will perform the best of Braodway prior to the concert and during intermission.  They will then carry on at the VIP reception at the Warehouse restaurant.

 

The Worth of a Man: The life of Winfield Scott Stratton

This lovely piece was written by the summer  intensive students of 2009.  This one act opera tells the story of one of the city’s most important founders.  Stratton was a significant philanthropist and shaped the city that we all know today.  There will be two performances.  Friday, Feb 26th is a VIP/ by Inviation only performance at Packard Hall.  Saturday, Feb 27th  I the public performance at the Pioneers Museum.  The doors open at 12noon and the performance is scheduled for 2PM.  Tickets are $10 individual and $25 for families and are available at the Museum Gift Shop.

 

Annual Heart Ball

The 23rd annual American Heart Association Heart Ball will include joint performances by CSC students, Faculty and our dear friends at the Central City Opera Association.  An prevailing Italian them of “Salut” will promote such songs as
‘Volare’, O Sole Mio, and the Traviata chorus “Libiamo”. 

 

Student Accolades

Congratulations to Kelsy Wells for her 2nd place award at the Annual School District 11/ Imagination Celebration art show.  Her stellar mask “Bluebird” showed incredible creativity.   Tatum Price  a CORE theater student was accepted to fifteen colleges and conservatories through her outstanding audition at Thespian Festival.

 

Teacher Accolades

There is rarely a week that goes by where CSC faculty are not featured around the community and region.  Most recently, Colin Gregory and Jesse Wilson were a part of the fantastic UCCS Theatreworks production of “12 Angry Men”.  Former CSC art teacher, Rodney Wood ran a three day exhibit the Modbo and Rubbish Galleries.  Modbo proprietor and CSC faculty member Lauren Cibrowski .  Wayne Wilinson  a regular at the Sunbird, was featured at Ricos as well.