|
The musicians in the GCO are a varied as one can imagine. The orchestra and the choir travel from throughout Northern Colorado for rehearsals and concert and hail from places as far as Cheyenne, Fort Morgan, Estes Park, Longmont, and Fort Collins as well at the Greeley/Weld County communities.
We would like to introduce a few of them to you. Our Concertmistress, Leanne Griffey, teaches school in Fort Collins, has a violin studio there as well as sings in one of the fine choral organizations in Fort Collins. You might see Jeanene Gage leading the second violins or stepping back and playing harp on some pieces. In addition to playing violin, Jeanene travels extensively teaching and performing her harp in Northern Colorado and Wyoming. Diana Delgado first playyed with the GCO when still in high school and has continued despite career in long term health care in Denver and living in Longmont. Bob Schenkein, principal cellist with the GCO is a master of computer programs in Niwot as well as the cello. He was one of the charter musicians of the Timberline Orchestra in Longmont. When Carol Parish is not informing clients about outstanding wines at Westlake Wine and Spirits, she is apt to be playing viola with the orchestra. Carol has been with us for many years, both as a board member and a musician, and Carol has been the key to our highly successful wine tasting fund-raisers. Lois Bartlett, bass, continues to make time to play with the GCO despite a sometimes frantic schedule of playing with virtually every orchestra in Northern Colorado and Cheyenne. There are many stories that could be told about our amazing string players!
The wind section is just as interesting group. Bonnie Hoffman has her finger and flute in every musical activity in town. Sue Kent, co-prinicpal oboe is the only current GCO musician who performed with GCO from the very beginning season and enjoys sharing the duties with her friend, Kathy Azari who stays busy with teaching band in our schools and music programs for our youngest children. Ruth Hale spends summers performing and listening to music in Europe but spend every winte playing clarinet with us. Sara Rogers enjoys her 'night out' playing bassoon with the GCO but loves going home to her two sweet children. Katy Carpenter spend her days with GIS systems and evening practicing horn. Steve Herbener comes from Fort Collins to study with Bill Pfund and then stays to lead our trumpet section. You might even see Dr. Dan Hatch in the percussion section from time to time
Our chamber chorus has some interesting members, too, like the trio of obstetricians which have to make they are not on call the night of concerts. University professors, real estate brokers, retired divas, librarians, students, lawyers, oil/gas professionals-we have them all and all come together to continue that love of music that they have had for years.
Many of our soloists have been been outstanding faculty members of the wonderful music school at the University of Northern Colorado. It has been our pleasure to showcase these fine musicians and mentors to our next generation of musicians.
Perhaps the broad representation of all segments of our community helps to make the GCO such a success. Most chamber orchestras don’t survive for 5 years, and we are past the 25 year mark! We invite you to join us at our next concert and discover the best kept musical secret in Northern Colorado. If you are under 18, we pick up the tab for your admission. After all, the GCO is on the resumes of some distinguished music educators and soloists all across the country...like Linda Pfund, Todd Ehle, Jason Herrick, Karen Crews-Gregg, Matt Means, and others who have made music a vocation as well as an avocation. We’re pleased and honored to have played a part in their personal and professional lives.
|
