Everyone at the Longmont Symphony Orchestra is busy preparing for the opening night of our 53rd season, “Music is Life.” When I was considering possible repertoire choices for our season opener, I knew that I wanted to provide our audience with a life-affirming musical experience. I could think of no better purely symphonic work than Saint-Saëns’ epic Symphony No. 3 …
Elliot Moore: Beethoven and Shostakovich – Two Revolutionaries
On April 13 and 14, the Longmont Symphony Chamber Orchestra will take the stage of Stewart Auditorium at the Longmont Museum. The program is the next step in our complete Beethoven Symphony Cycle, featuring his Second Symphony paired with his Egmont Overture and the Shostakovich/Barshai Chamber Symphony, Op. 110a. For several years, I have felt that the juxtaposition of Beethoven …
Musician Spotlight: A Q&A with Paul Trapkus, concertmaster
How long have you been with the symphony? This is my first year. How did you come to study your instrument (and is it the first one you chose?) I started playing violin in 4th grade through my school’s orchestra program in Iowa. I tried saxophone briefly in 5th grade but didn’t enjoy it as much. I started taking violin …
Elliot Moore: On Inspiring Young Audience Members
Dear Music Lovers, As the Longmont Symphony prepares for its annual Family Concert on January 19, I find myself looking forward to this performance in a very different way than most of our other performances. While the music is as beautiful as any of our other concerts, the musical selections and guest artists have all been chosen to engage, entertain, …
Elliot Moore: On Unity through Music
As I write this, political leaders are calling for unity and civility in these divisive times. I can think of no better way to heed their call than sharing with you the intention behind our November concert program. On November 10, the Longmont Symphony will welcome Taka Kigawa — from Longmont’s sister city of Chino, Japan — to Vance Brand …
Elliot Moore: Kicking Off the 2018-19 Season – Musical Journeys
Dear Music Lovers, I am thrilled that the Longmont Symphony’s 2018-19 season is beginning soon! We have so many exciting programs, soloists, projects, collaborations, and great music in store for you. As I begin my second season with the LSO, I am excited to be exploring one of my greatest passions, the intersection of music and healing, with our audience. …
Elliot Moore: How is Tchaikovsky’s Music Relevant Today?
The LSO will be performing Tchaikovsky’s epic Fourth Symphony at our February 24 concert. In July 2015, I attended a performance of Tchaikovsky’s 4th. Halfway through the performance, the person sitting next to me (an active board member of a well-known orchestra) leaned over and whispered: “I just don’t see how Tchaikovsky’s music is relevant today.” After having heard this, I …
Elliot Moore: On Engaging Young Listeners
As I prepare for my first Family Concert – and corresponding 5th Grade Concerts – with the Longmont Symphony, there are several questions that I find myself grappling with: What are my goals in presenting a live symphonic performance to every 5th grader in the SVVSD? What is the best way to engage young listeners? And how do we attract …
Elliot Moore: Reflections on The Nutcracker
As this is my first time conducting Tchaikovsky’s monumental work, The Nutcracker, I wanted to do everything that I could to immerse myself in Tchaikovsky’s score, the history of the work, the narrative, as well as gain insight into the characters motivation, and how we bring that to life on the stage. I had the opportunity to attend several rehearsals …
Elliot Moore: On The American Frontier
As we prepare for our November 11 performance, “The American Frontier”, which coincides with Veteran’s Day, I was reminded of John F. Kennedy’s quote: “I look forward to an America which will reward achievement in the arts as we reward achievement in business or statecraft.” The United States, which boasts incredible strength in so many different arenas, has come so …
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