An ambitious effort to bring culture to Boulder in 1937 has grown into a perennial provider of world-class performances from artists as stylistically diverse as Dave Brubeck and the Japan Philharmonic.
Both the American jazz legend and the Asian symphony have performed in the University of Colorado at Boulder's Artist Series, now in its 65th season. Legendary violinist Isaac Stern performed six times in the series, and other past performers include Leonard Bernstein, Van Cliburn, Paul Robeson, Yo-Yo Ma, Branford Marsalis, Andres Segovia and Beverly Sills.
Single-event tickets for 2002-03 CU Concerts, except for the Holiday Festival, go on sale Aug. 19. This year's lineup includes Broadway pianist-composer Marvin Hamlisch and Latin jazz percussionist and bandleader Poncho Sanchez.
While outstanding classical performers will always be a part of the series, the lineup is constantly changing and growing. "Our common theme is artistic excellence - it's always paramount," program director Joan Braun said. "How that's expressed can vary widely."
The series has no preset format, but it does mirror trends from the CU College of Music and to a lesser extent, popular taste. The large, omnivorous local appetite for live music and dance has been illustrated time and again by successful series concerts, including appearances last season by Trinity Irish Dance and Brazilian jazz pianist Eliane Elias. Regardless of the performance genre, the shows give listeners a chance to get closer to the music.Ìý
"What the audience wants to witness is a moment in time that can't be had anywhere else - the magic of live performance," Braun said. Preconcert lectures are incredibly well-attended, she said, because audiences want to go beyond simply listening.
The series' continued success is more impressive given the recent economic downturn that has challenged arts organizations across Colorado. Braun praised the series staff as hard working and genuinely passionate about the shows they sell. "The marketing and customer service has been really successful. We have a limited budget, but we have talented people and we're targeted in what we do."
Being part of the CU-Boulder campus lends stability to the series. Since it must be self-funding - it receives no programming money from CU - administrators have been extra vigilant to keep balanced budgets. Decisions to not rely on telemarketing tactics or huge increases in individual contributions have paid off, Braun said.
"Donations, sponsorships and grants are, of course, key to our success," she said. "But we may have relied on them in a different way than some other nonprofit organizations. We haven't counted on individual donations to grow exponentially, so it forces us to keep our other budgets in line."
Flexible ticket subscription packages allow series patrons to attend every concert or groups of shows that fit their interests. Subscriptions can also be customized, a feature that sometimes leaves Braun and the staff surprised at the variety of music their patrons enjoy.Ìý
"The upcoming artists represent the best in the classical tradition, as well as all the stunning variety that's out there," she said. "The world music performers will be very exciting."
Tickets are available from the box office at (303) 492-8008 or by visiting .Ìý