Colorado’s Volunteer Orchestras Bring Music—and Communities—to Life

In Monday’s (1/22) Jeffco Transcript (Colorado), Tayler Shaw writes, “Brows furrowed and fingers fluttered as the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra, made up of roughly 70 volunteer musicians, performed a composition from … ‘Carmen.’ The community orchestra is one of many in the metro Denver region that offer people an opportunity to bring their musical talents and passions to life regardless of their profession, age, or background. Despite the time and work it takes to execute exceptional performances, volunteer musicians throughout the metro region say the effort is worth it, highlighting the value of music for themselves and their communities…. In the southern metro region of Denver, the Littleton Symphony Orchestra shares a similar goal of upholding community, said Bill Mesa, an assistant principal percussionist in the symphony…. Compared to an organization like the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra, which dates back to the 1950s, a relatively newer community orchestra in the metro region is the Lone Tree Symphony Orchestra, founded in 2000. Katie Smith, principal oboe of the Lone Tree symphony, underlined the importance of having an orchestra in any community, whether it be Jefferson County, Littleton or Lone Tree.”