The University of Colorado Summer Music Festival returns this month for its 39th season.
The festival kicks off Wednesday night with the Opening Faculty Artists Concert at Packard Hall. From there, the university will host a series of concerts over his three weeks, ending with an orchestral concert on June 23rd.
“What sets our festival apart from many other festivals in the United States is that we eliminate polarizing competitiveness,” said Susan Grace, music director of the festival.
“Our students are very supportive of each other, yet they are learning an amazing amount of content and learning how to get along with each other.”
Fifty-two student fellows from all over the country perform at the festival, along with about twenty faculty members.
“They are from some major music schools and some major orchestras. They really love teaching and are a really great group of people,” said Grace.
“Some of the faculty have been here since the beginning, but most have been there for over 20 years. They are really like family.”
The festival is divided into several shows, including 5 artist concerts, 2 orchestral concerts, 7 chamber music concerts during the daytime concerts, and an orchestral concert for children.
“Our faculty work very well together, they love being here and they have so much energy and joy when they play. That’s what makes our festival so special.” said Grace.
It takes a year for the concert to fully wrap up. The university opens his application in November and closes in February.
“We keep trying to promote the festival so that more people know about it. We are trying to come up with new and creative ideas for next season. ‘, said Grace.
“We put a lot of effort into recruiting professionals who might come along, so we answer a lot of questions and inform music schools around the country.”
This year, the university received over 400 applications for fellowships, and only 52 were accepted.
“Every year the orchestra gets better and better. When the students who come here hear the orchestra playing, it sounds like a professional orchestra,” Grace said.
The university welcomes everyone to the festival.
“We try to make this festival for everyone,” Grace said.
“I can’t express enough how dedicated our teachers are, how much they love to play, and how much fun they are.
