Lynn Holladay
Sr. Vice President and COO
High Notes — your insider look at how your support brings music, education, and inspiration to life in our community.
This edition highlights a powerful performance with young musicians, a glowing endorsement from District 2, thought-provoking conversations around Madama Butterfly, and the launch of our first ever Family Fun Night.
Side-by-Side with Youth Symphony
- 75 youth perform with Philharmonic musicians
- Conductor Laureate Josep Caballé-Domenech directs Mahler Symphony No. 1
When musicians from the Colorado Springs Youth Symphony joined the Philharmonic onstage to perform Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, something extraordinary unfolded.Â
Under the baton of Conductor Laureate Josep Caballé-Domenech, the impact of 145 musicians performing together was nothing short of breathtaking – a tidal wave of sound and emotion that filled the hall and stirred the soul.Â
Together, they delivered more than a performance; they shared a vision of what music becomes when the future and the present meet onstage.Â
D2 Endorses Philharmonic’s Transformative Impact
The Colorado Springs Philharmonic was honored to receive this heartfelt letter of support from Harrison School District 2. It affirms the deep impact of our partnership and the shared belief that music can inspire confidence, creativity, and connection in young people. This recognition reinforces our commitment to expanding access to the arts and supporting the next generation through meaningful educational experiences.Â
“…experiences like those provided by the Philharmonic… help young people find their voice, discover talents they didn’t know they had, and build the kind of resilience that extends into every aspect of their lives.” Dr. Wendy Birhanzel, Superintendent
Beauty, Betrayal, and Breathtaking Music
- Philharmonic performs first theatrical concert
- Center for Future Audiences unpacks themes in opera
Puccini’s Madama Butterfly came alive with the soaring emotion of the heartbreaking masterpiece. A brilliant cast, breathtaking set design, and the full force of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic brought Madama Butterfly vividly to life leaving the audience spellbound.Â
As part of a deeper exploration, the Center for Future Audiences examined the opera through the lens of cultural appropriation and artistic legacy. Click the links for more insights including:Â A Note on Madama Butterfly, by conductor Louis Lohraseb, Sonic Sovereignty: Who Owns the Music?, and The Puccini Paradox.
A Force-Filled Family Night
- Partnership with USAFA STEM Education
- Create your own constellation huge success at Star Wars: A New Hope concert
The Philharmonic’s first Family Fun Night welcomed Stacey Lazelle, STEM Education Director at the United States Air Force Academy, who led a hand-on, science-based activity in the lobby during Star Wars: A New Hope. Her “stellar” craft station invited patrons of all ages to create their own constellations. From toddlers to grandparents, everyone joined in the galactic creativity.
This event marked the first of many Family Fun Nights that the Center for Future Audiences plans to launch at future concerts. Stay tuned – more family-friendly adventures are just around the corner.
