Overview

In this innovative program, the Colorado Symphony turns over the keys to Boettcher to artists from Denver’s thriving local music scene to create a varied and original program of new music. Emerging Colorado artists Ian Cooke, Land Lines, and Megan Burtt will perform individual sets with musicians from the Colorado Symphony, each with a unique style, sound, and symphonic approach. Longtime Colorado Symphony collaborator Jay Clifford, leader of the seminal South Carolina-based band Jump Little Children, and Tom Hagerman of DeVotchKa will work with each artist to create original orchestral arrangements of their music for a full complement of string players, with Clifford also joining in on the collaborative performance.

“Turn Over the Keys” builds on a tradition of creative collaboration with emerging independent artists in Colorado, which boasts one of nation’s liveliest music scenes. Beginning with a now legendary pairing of the orchestra and DeVotchKa in 2012, the Colorado Symphony has joined with up-and-coming regional musicians including the Lumineers, Gregory Alan Isakov, Nathaniel Rateliff, Otis Taylor, Flobots, Elephant Revival, and more.

The Colorado Symphony’s collaborative spirit has helped to cement the orchestra’s reputation as one of the most innovative and artistically adventurous in the United States. Westword has twice selected CSO collaborations for “Best of Denver” awards.