Welcome to the 2024 Colorado Symphony Centennial Gala It is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2024 Colorado Symphony Centennial Gala! It isn’t often that an organization has the opportunity to celebrate one hundred years and we are so glad that you are here with us for this historic evening. There felt like no more appropriate way to honor our Centennial than to feature our very own Colorado Symphony Musicians performing as soloists throughout the evening. Tonight’s performances will be led by Resident Conductor Christopher Dragon and feature our very own Concertmaster, Yumi Hwang-Williams, Principal Harp, Courtney Hershey Bress, and Principal Trumpet, Justin Bartels. To close the evening we will hear from Broadway vocalist and Colorado native Sierra Boggess. Additionally, I am so honored that we are awarding the Margaret Phipps award tonight to the Butler Family. The Butler family has established a true legacy through service & philanthropy and have been amazing partners and supporters of the Colorado Symphony. With their support, the symphony has grown to the thriving artistic organization it is today in service of its community. Leading your Colorado Symphony throughout its Centennial Season as its President and CEO has been a true highlight of my career. The Colorado Symphony is a premier orchestra in the country and Coloradans are privileged to have these world-class musicians performing throughout their Centennial state. We are known for our risk-taking and innovative programing and our community partnerships and strive to be an example of what it means to be a twenty-first century orchestra. We are all here tonight to commemorate a CENTURY of live symphonic music in your Centennial State and to celebrate our world-class orchestra, whose innovation, excellence, and artistry has elevated the lives of countless Coloradans for the last hundred years. Your partnership is essential to the future success of the Colorado Symphony. It is only with the support of our community that we can continue to reach new heights, serving over 340,000 people at our live performances throughout the state. We are continually expanding our reach and can’t wait to see what the next hundred years has in store. With tremendous gratitude, I thank you for joining in tonight’s celebration and for supporting this extraordinary orchestra. It’s going to be an unforgettable night and a bright future for live symphonic music in Colorado thanks to all of you!
Mark Cantrell, President & CEO O U R S TAT E Y O U R S Y M P H O N Y
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