Program - Love Actually - John Denver Holiday Celebration - Celtic Woman

2019/20 SEASON PRESENTING SPONSOR:

MOVIE AT THE SYMPHONY

2019/20

MOVIE AT THE SYMPHONY: LOVE ACTUALLY IN CONCERT PERFORMED BY YOUR COLORADO SYMPHONY CHRISTOPHER DRAGON, conductor Friday, December 6, 2019, at 7:30 p.m.

Boettcher Concert Hall UNIVERSAL PICTURES AND STUDIOCANAL PRESENT A WORKING TITLE PRODUCTION IN ASSOCIATION WITH DNA FILMS

In Concert ALAN RICKMAN BILL NIGHY COLIN FIRTH EMMA THOMPSON HUGH GRANT LAURA LINNEY LIAM NEESON MARTINE McCUTCHEON ROWAN ATKINSON (continued on next page) Friday’s Concert is Gratefully Dedicated to Blue Moon Brewing Co - RiNo | Miller Coors PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY SOUNDINGS

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PROGRAM 1

MOVIE AT THE SYMPHONY

2019/20

CASTING: MARY SELWAY C.D.D. MUSIC BY CRAIG ARMSTRONG CO-PRODUCERS: DEBRA HAYWARD & LIZA CHASIN COSTUME DESIGNER: JOANNA JOHNSTON LINE PRODUCER: CHRIS TOMPSON PRODUCTION DESIGNER: JIM CLAY DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: MICHAEL COULTER BSC EDITOR: NICK MOORE PRODUCED BY: DUNCAN KENWORTHY, TIM BEVAN, ERIC FELLNER WRITTEN AND DIRECTED: BY RICHARD CURTIS A UNIVERSAL RELEASE (LOGO) © 2003 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

CONCERT RUN TIME IS APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS AND 40 MINUTES WITH A 20 MINUTE INTERMISSION.

FIRST TIME TO THE SYMPHONY? SEE PAGE 8 OF THIS PROGRAM FOR FAQ’S TO MAKE YOUR EXPERIENCE GREAT!

PROGRAM 2

C O L O R A D O SY M P H O N Y.O R G

MOVIE AT THE SYMPHONY BIOGRAPHY CHRISTOPHER DRAGON, resident conductor Australian conductor Christopher Dragon is in his fifth season with the Colorado Symphony. For three years he previously held the position of Assistant Conductor with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, which gave him the opportunity to work closely with Principal Conductor Asher Fisch. Dragon works regularly in Australia and has guest conducted the Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and West Australian Symphony Orchestras.

His 2015 debut performance at the Sydney Opera House with Josh Pyke and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra was released on album by ABC Music and won an ARIA the following year. Dragon’s international guest conducting includes the Orquestra Sinfônica de Porto Alegre, the San Diego Symphony Orchestra and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. He has also conducted at numerous festivals including the Breckenridge and Bangalow Music Festivals, with both resulting in immediate re-invitations. At the beginning of 2016 Dragon conducted Wynton Marsalis’ Swing Symphony as part of the Perth International Arts Festival alongside Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at the Lincoln Center Orchestra. Dragon began his conducting studies in 2011 and was a member of the prestigious Symphony Services International Conductor Development Program in Australia under the guidance of course director Christopher Seaman. He has also studied with numerous distinguished conductors including Leonid Grin, Paavo and Neeme Järvi at the Järvi Summer Festival, Fabio Luisi at the Pacific Music Festival, and conducting pedagogue Jorma Panula.

SOUNDINGS

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PROGRAM 3

2019/20 SEASON PRESENTING SPONSOR:

ALTERNATIVE

2019/20

JOHN DENVER HOLIDAY CELEBRATION WITH YOUR COLORADO SYMPHONY CHRISTOPHER DRAGON, conductor MACK BAILEY, guitar JON CONLEY, guitar+ CHRIS NOLE, piano ALAN DEREMO, bass NATE BARNES, drums

Saturday, December 7, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.

Boettcher Concert Hall

SELECTIONS TO BE ANNOUNCED FROM STAGE

CONCERT RUN TIME IS APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS 40 MINUTES WITH A 20 MINUTE INTERMISSION.

FIRST TIME TO THE SYMPHONY? SEE PAGE 8 OF THIS PROGRAM FOR FAQ’S TO MAKE YOUR EXPERIENCE GREAT!

This Concert is Gratefully Dedicated to Genesee Mountain Foundation PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY PROGRAM 4

C O L O R A D O SY M P H O N Y.O R G

ALTERNATIVE BIOGRAPHIES CHRISTOPHER DRAGON, resident conductor Australian conductor Christopher Dragon is in his fifth season with the Colorado Symphony. For three years he previously held the position of Assistant Conductor with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra, which gave him the opportunity to work closely with Principal Conductor Asher Fisch. Dragon works regularly in Australia and has guest conducted the Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and West Australian Symphony Orchestras.

His 2015 debut performance at the Sydney Opera House with Josh Pyke and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra was released on album by ABC Music and won an ARIA the following year. Dragon’s international guest conducting includes the Orquestra Sinfônica de Porto Alegre, the San Diego Symphony Orchestra and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. He has also conducted at numerous festivals including the Breckenridge and Bangalow Music Festivals, with both resulting in immediate re-invitations. At the beginning of 2016 Dragon conducted Wynton Marsalis’ Swing Symphony as part of the Perth International Arts Festival alongside Wynton Marsalis and Jazz at the Lincoln Center Orchestra. Dragon began his conducting studies in 2011 and was a member of the prestigious Symphony Services International Conductor Development Program in Australia under the guidance of course director Christopher Seaman. He has also studied with numerous distinguished conductors including Leonid Grin, Paavo and Neeme Järvi at the Järvi Summer Festival, Fabio Luisi at the Pacific Music Festival, and conducting pedagogue Jorma Panula.

CLASSICS

Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3 JAN 24-26 FRI-SAT 7:30 SUN 1:00 n

Brett Mitchell, conductor Lukáš Vondráček, piano Dancers from Colorado Ballet COPLAND Suite from Billy the Kid BERNSTEIN Facsimile RACHMANINOFF Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30

tickets: coloradosymphony.org

SOUNDINGS

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PROGRAM 5

ALTERNATIVE BIOGRAPHIES JOHN DENVER With more than 33 million records sold and seven Billboard Top Ten albums, John Denver released 23 studio albums over his lifetime. He is best known for the beloved songs “Leaving On a Jet Plane,” “Sunshine On My Shoulders,” “Annie’s Song” and “Rocky Mountain High,” which is a co-state song of Colorado, and “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” which is a co-state song of West Virginia. In addition to his numerous awards and recognition, Denver was instrumental in championing environmental and humanitarian causes. His popularity and continuing influence on popular culture still grow more than a decade after his untimely death. Denver was a true adventurer, exploring all that the world had to offer. Throughout his life’s journey he challenged himself on every level, which is an integral part of what made him an extraordinary man, an uncommon friend, and a rare human being. While the frontiers of the American West satisfied his spirit, less-traveled frontiers appealed to his imagination. Denver was an experienced airplane pilot and collected vintage biplanes. His interest in outer space was so great that he took and passed NASA’s examination to determine mental and physical fitness required for space travel. He then became a leading candidate to be the “first civilian in space” on the Space Shuttle Challenger. Denver planned to write a song in space, but circumstances kept him from joining the ill-fated expedition, which exploded during take-off in 1986. Among his many gifts, Denver was also a talented photographer. He photographed images of the people and places he experienced in his travels and showed his work professionally, often in connection with speeches made at colleges, universities and government and business facilities across the country. Many of Denver’s songs reflected his relationship with nature, and one of his greatest pleasures was spending time outdoors. He spent as much time as possible backpacking, hiking, climbing, and fishing. He was an avid golfer and skier, regularly participating in celebrity charity events for both sports.

Today, millions of fans old and new enjoy the work of this extraordinary performer. Decades after he began, John Denver’s music is as relevant as ever. His humanitarian work continues to strengthen our global village, and his dynamic celebration of life, spirit and nature is a powerful inspiration to us all. More on John Denver at www.johndenver.com

MACK BAILEY, guitar Using John Denver’s music, Mack taught himself to play the guitar, so it was a thrill for Mack when he had the privilege of trading verses to “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” with Denver in front of 9.000 people shortly before John’s death. Today, his experiences with the Limeliters and John Denver continue to play an active role in Mack’s professional life, even as he pursues his successful solo career. Mack has caught the attention of national folk music audiences with not only his Limeliters performances, but also with his prominent role in the nationally touring show “A Musical Tribute to John Denver” with many of John’s former band members and production crew.

PROGRAM 6

C O L O R A D O SY M P H O N Y.O R G

ALTERNATIVE BIOGRAPHIES JON CONLEY, guitar+ Jon Conley is a mainstay of the Nashville music industry. Jon began playing guitar at seven (wanting to play like Roy Clark) and has branched out to include mandolin, fiddle, banjo, vocals and songwriting in his portfolio. Perhaps best known as the lead guitarist for the Kenny Chesney band, he has credits on recordings by a number of artists and attributes his success to practicing and taking every opportunity to perform seriously.

CHRIS NOLE, piano A former member of John Denver’s band, songwriter/composer, accomplished session musician, producer, and recording artist Chris Nole performs around the world. Nole has toured and recorded with numerous top recording acts including Faith Hill, Travis Tritt, the Oak Ridge Boys, and Shelby Lynne. Chris Nole’s songs have been recorded by various recording artists ranging from Faith Hill to The Swamphonky’s and have been used in such television productions as Men of a Certain Age, Heroes, and E! True Hollywood Story.

ALAN DEREMO, bass guitar A member of John Denver’s band from 1994 until Denver’s passing in 1997, Deremo has performed and/or recorded with a diverse assortment of artists including Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Eric Marienthal, Glenn Frey, Jesse Colin Young, Kathy Mattea, Dave Alvin, John Doe, Exene Cervenkova, Bo Diddley, Jules Shear, Jack Tempchin, Thelma Houston, the Mamas and the Papas, and the Captain and Tenille. For much of the last decade Deremo has toured and recorded with Men at Work singer/guitarist Colin Hay and served as musical director for Tony Hawk’s annual Boom Boom Huck Jam arena tours.

NATE BARNES, drums, percussion As drummer for the band Rose Hill Drive, Nate Barnes has toured the world headlining shows and opening for acts including The Who, Van Halen, Aerosmith, Stone Temple Pilots, The Black Crowes, Queens Of The Stone Age, and Jane’s Addiction, and shared the stage with Pete Townshend (The Who), Warren Haynes, Leslie West (Mountain), Grace Potter, Matisyahu, Mike Watt, and others. In addition to collaborating and recording with legendary producers/ engineers Brendan O’Brien and Nick DiDia, he has also co-produced and co-written three critically acclaimed, full-length albums with the band Rose Hill Drive. Specializing in Rock, Pop, Hip Hop, and Funk styles, Nate has earned a reputation as one of the premier live and studio drummers in the Rocky Mountain area.

SOUNDINGS

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PROGRAM 7

2019/20 SEASON PRESENTING SPONSOR:

HOLIDAY

2019/20

CELTIC WOMAN: THE BEST OF CHRISTMAS TOUR PERFORMED BY YOUR COLORADO SYMPHONY

Sunday, December 8, 2019 at 5:00 p.m.

Boettcher Concert Hall

Program to be announced from stage

CONCERT RUN TIME IS APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS 40 MINUTES WITH A 20 MINUTE INTERMISSION.

FIRST TIME TO THE SYMPHONY? SEE PAGE 8 OF THIS PROGRAM FOR FAQ’S TO MAKE YOUR EXPERIENCE GREAT!

Sunday’s Concert is Gratefully Dedicated to Ed & Jenni Haselden PROUDLY SUPPORTED BY PROGRAM 8

C O L O R A D O SY M P H O N Y.O R G

HOLIDAY BIOGRAPHIES

CELTIC WOMAN MAIRÉAD CARLIN Born in Derry, in the north of Ireland, Mairéad Carlin’s life has been immersed in music since her early days, coming from a family whose love of song was passed down to her generation.

“Derry, my hometown, is a very cultured and very musical place, wherever you turn there’s always music,” she enthuses. “That was especially true in my family… We’d just sit around the fire, sing and drink tea – there was no alcohol involved, despite what people always think about the Irish!”

After finishing her studies at Trinity College of Music in London, Mairéad was signed to Decca Records and has recorded her debut album, ‘Songbook’, due for release in 2014.

Mairéad has performed for the President of Ireland, celebrated the Irish Anthem for the EnglandIreland Rugby International to a TV audience of millions and shared the stage with the likes of Snow Patrol and The Priests at the 2013 BBC TV Gala Concert ‘Sons and Daughters’ to mark Derry’s year as City of Culture — of which she also recorded the City of Culture anthem ‘Let The River Run’.

She has toured the UK and Ireland with legendary American singer-songwriter Don McLean, including a sellout concert at the Royal Albert Hall. “A motto I’ve used throughout my career so far”, she says, “is a quote from the award-winning poet Seamus Heaney: ‘Sing yourself to where the singing comes from.’ I think there’s a lot to be said for that”.

SOUNDINGS

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PROGRAM 9

HOLIDAY BIOGRAPHIES ÉABHA MCMAHON Éabha began her singing career at 9 years of age, when she was chosen by Veritas to record an album for the children’s book, Beo go Deo. She then began singing in the traditional sean nós style, taught by famous singers such as Máire Ní Choilm, Séamus Mac Mathúna, Moya Brennan, and Íde Mac Mathúna. Éabha went on to win the under-18 All Ireland Oireachtais final at the age of 15, she was reigning Leinster champion from the age of 13 to 17 in the Fleadh Ceoil, and five time Dublin champion in the Fairview Feis Ceoil age 14-18.

At the age of 15, Éabha was appproached to audition for Anúna, (the Original Riverdance choir) and in 2005, Éabha became the youngest member to join Anúna. In 2006, she went on tour to the US where the Anúna Christmas Memories DVD was recorded for PBS and reached the top 10 in the Billboard charts that year. She also went on tour to Holland and Germany, as well as singing in venues such as the National Concert Hall, Dublin Castle, Stormont, Farmleigh House and Kilmainham Jail. Éabha is a fluent Irish speaker and was brought up singing and speaking Irish at home in Dublin and she is very proud to be representing her Irish roots with Celtic Woman.

TARA MCNEILL Tara McNeill is a violinist, singer and harpist from Antrim, Ireland. In August 2016 Tara became the newest member of the Irish Music Sensation ‘Celtic Woman’. She is only the second violinist to ever join the #1 World Music Artists and she will also be first multi-instrumentalist as she also brings her harp playing to the group. Tara graduated with First class honours in the BA in Music Performance (violin) at the Royal Irish Academy of Music under the tuition of Michael D’Arcy. She has performed with the RTE Concert Orchestra and Ulster Orchestra, led the Ulster Youth Orchestra and both the RIAM Chamber and Symphony Orchestras. Tara performed the Irish premiere of Finzi’s Violin Concerto in the National Concert Hall, Dublin in April, 2013.

Tara has toured Canada, China, Japan and Holland as both a singer and solo violinist with the vocal group Anúna . She is also the solo violinist on their album ‘Illumination’. Orchestral tours have taken Tara throughout Europe, China, Japan, Korea and America performing in venues such as Carnegie hall, New York, Oriental Arts Centre, Shanghai and the National Centre for the Performing Arts, Beijing.

PROGRAM 10

C O L O R A D O SY M P H O N Y.O R G

HOLIDAY BIOGRAPHIES MEGAN WALSH Megan Walsh is from Navan, Co. Meath, Ireland. She is a classically trained soprano, but is proficient in many genres. Megan is a seasoned performer, having been on stage from a very young age. In 2014, at age 17, Megan won “The Soloist” competition with the “Cross Border Orchestra of Ireland”. This journey took her initially to the USA, where she sang in New Jersey, then Connecticut and then on to the stage of the famous Carnegie Hall, New York. On returning to Ireland she performed, as a soloist, with the orchestra for two years, performing in many major venues across the whole Island of Ireland.

As a keen participant in the Irish Musical Society arena, Megan has performed many roles, both as lead and ensemble. She played “Cosette” in Les Miserables, “Mary Magdalene” in Jesus Christ Superstar, “Ida” (Honk), “Tracy” (Hairspray), “Sour Kangaroo” (Seussical), “Gabriella” (High School Musical), “Grizabella” (Cats), plus many other shows in supporting roles.

She has done tribute performances for the likes of “Christine” (Phantom of the Opera), “Maria” (West Side Story), “Maria” (The Sound of Music) and many others.

S TAY

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