Colorado Symphony announces "Colorado Remembers 9/11" music selections

Sept. 7, 2011 - PRLog -- September 11, 2011, marks the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In remembrance of this national tragedy, Governor John Hickenlooper (and the State of Colorado) and Mayor Michael Hancock (and the City and County of Denver), in partnership with The Counterterrorism Education Learning Lab (The CELL), The Denver Post  and AEGLive Rocky Mountains, are hosting a commemorative event and concert to honor victims, first responders and members of the U.S. Armed Forces on September 11, 2011, at Civic Center Park from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm. The event is free and open to the public. The event will feature a special musical tribute by The Beach Boys, Tyler Ward and a performance by the  Colorado Symphony.

The Colorado Symphony, led by resident conductor Scott O'Neil, will perform several poignant and patriotic favorites by American composers. Among the works featured is Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man. Composed in 1942 in response to the entry of the U.S. into World War II, it was partly inspired by a speech made by vice president Henry A. Wallace proclaiming the dawning of the "Century of the Common Man."

In addition, the Colorado Symphony will perform John Williams' Liberty Fanfare, which was composed in 1986 to celebrate the centennial of the Statue of Liberty, as well as Gould's American Salute, composed during World War II and inspired by the Civil War song "When Johnny Comes Marching Home."

The Colorado Symphony will also feature Barber's Adagio for Strings. Composed in 1936 and premiered in New York in 1938 during a national live radio broadcast conducted by Arturo Toscanini, it was one of the few American works to be played in the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Today, it is considered among the 20th-century's most popular works.

The event program will begin with a remembrance procession, led by the Colorado National Guard, firefighters, law enforcement, first responders and memorial pipes and drums, which will be followed by a presentation by the Honor Guard, a wreath laying ceremony, firing salute, taps and a military flyover.

Lawn seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis; arriving early is greatly encouraged, as are the use of blankets or low-rise concert/beach chairs. Attendees are welcome to bring their own picnics. Concessions will also be available on-site. The event will take place rain or shine.

Colorado Remembers 9/11 is made possible by the generosity of the following partners and sponsors: The CELL, The Denver Post, MDC/Richmond American Homes Foundation, The Anschutz Foundation, Liberty Media, 9News, AEGLive, FirstBank, the Colorado Symphony, the City and County of Denver, the Civic Center Conservancy, CAP Worldwide and the Colorado Children's Chorale.

Civic Center Park:
Centered in the heart of downtown Denver, Civic Center Park is easily accessible through multiple modes of transportation, including light rail, bus, bicycle or the 16th Street FREE MallRide. Information on nearby B-cycle bike-sharing locations is available at www.denver.bcycle.com. Parking is available at nearby surface lots and parking garages, including the Central Parking lots/garages at 1530 Cleveland Place, Denver Pavilions (15th & Welton), 1256 Delaware, 1440 Tremont, 1200-1300 blocks of Cherokee and 1745 Sherman.

Artists:
Colorado Symphony
Scott O'Neil, resident conductor

Program:
Selections from the program include

COPLAND: Fanfare for the Common Man
BARBER: Adagio for Strings
LOWDEN (arr.): Armed Forces Salute
Williams, John: Liberty Fanfare
GOULD: American Salute
DRAGON: America the Beautiful

Date:                      
Sunday, September 11, 2011 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Location:            
Civic Center Park, Denver (Colfax and Broadway)

Tickets:                        
The event is free and open to the public. No tickets or reservations are required.


Media Contact
Margaret A. Williams
Office: 303.308.2472
Mobile: 808.551.6062

mwilliams@coloradosymphony.org
mailto:mwilliams@coloradosymphony.org

# # #

The state’s only full-time professional orchestra, the Colorado Symphony embraces a tradition of musical excellence by presenting a diverse array of symphonic performances throughout the year. The Colorado Symphony presents outstanding education and outreach programs, as well as Masterworks, Pops, Holiday, Family, and the exciting new Inside the Score series that has attracted a historic level of first-time concertgoers. By presenting music that is both timeless and inspiring, while taking risks with new musical collaborations and interactive concerts, the Colorado Symphony is attracting more diverse and younger audiences than ever before. The increasing popularity of Colorado Symphony concerts as well as a strong fund-raising base not only re-affirms the artistic excellence of the orchestra, but also reflects the deep-rooted enthusiasm for symphonic music felt by so many individuals across the region. For more information about the Colorado Symphony, visit www.coloradosymphony.org.