Chamber Orchestra of the Springs

Chamber Orchestra of the Springs www.chamberorchestraofthesprings.org
Thomas Wilson, Music Director
Chamber Orchestra of the Springs

www.chamberorchestraofthesprings.org
Thomas Wilson, Music Director
The Chamber Orchestra of the Springs is the region's premier chamber ensemble.

Three attempts. Two falls. One final, transformative flight. 🦅The music of "Ascending Bird" tells the ancient Persian ta...
05/02/2026

Three attempts. Two falls. One final, transformative flight. 🦅

The music of "Ascending Bird" tells the ancient Persian tale of a mythical bird determined to reach the sun. Twice, the bird tries to breach the heavens, and twice, it is cast back to earth by the sheer intensity of the light. But it is the third attempt that creates the masterpiece you’ll hear on stage: the moment the bird touches the sun and, rather than being destroyed, sheds its physical form to achieve total spiritual transcendence.

The musical painting of this struggle starts with a delicate, haunting thread of traditional Persian melody - intimate and earthbound. As the music unfolds, you’ll hear the orchestra swell, shifting from that raw, folk-inspired start into a massive, cinematic explosion of sound. It is a sonic representation of gravity fighting against glory. By the time the final notes ring out, you’ll feel the weightlessness of that final ascent.

It’s rare to find a piece of music that feels this much like a physical journey. We’d love for you to join us and experience this legendary flight for yourself. Seats for this weekend's Ascending concerts are running low - grab them soon!

Ever sat in a concert hall, looked at the program, and wondered: "Okay, I know what a symphony is, but what on earth is ...
04/30/2026

Ever sat in a concert hall, looked at the program, and wondered: "Okay, I know what a symphony is, but what on earth is a concerto?"

Is it a fancy word for "long song"? Not quite.

Think of a concerto as the musical version of "Main Character Energy." 🎭

In a symphony, everyone is on the same team, playing as one giant, harmonious unit. It's a group project. But in a concerto? It’s a musical showdown. You’ve got one soloist (the star) and the entire orchestra (the supporting cast).

It’s an epic conversation—or sometimes a high-stakes duel—where the soloist steps into the spotlight to show off their skills, while the orchestra responds, teases, and rallies behind them. It’s a constant back-and-forth, a give-and-take, and usually ends with a flourish that makes you want to stand up and cheer.

This weekend's Piano Concerto No. 20 - by Mozart - is the perfect example of this energy. It's not your typical, polite Mozart: it's a fiery, dramatic, high-speed conversation between the piano and the rest of the orchestra. Come see the sparks fly for yourself!

Most people think they know Mozart: the lightness, the elegance, the sunshine of his more famous serenades. But there is...
04/29/2026

Most people think they know Mozart: the lightness, the elegance, the sunshine of his more famous serenades. But there is another side to the master ... a side where the shadows are longer and the emotions run deep.

If you love the haunting, powerful, and bone-chilling intensity of Mozart’s Requiem, you need to hear his Piano Concerto No. 20.

It’s no coincidence that both works are written in D Minor (the key Mozart reserved for his most tragic, dramatic, and soul-searching music). While the Requiem confronts the mystery of the end, this concerto confronts the storms of the human spirit. It is restless, urgent, and breathtakingly beautiful.

It was also one of Beethoven's favorite pieces - a staple of his public performances; he even wrote a cadenza for the piece that's still played today! The Piano Concerto No. 20 is the heartbeat of this weekend's Ascending concerts, and tickets are almost gone!

🎻 Okay, let’s address the "Bruch Effect" 🎻We keep a tally of your concert requests, and it turns out Colorado Springs is...
04/28/2026

🎻 Okay, let’s address the "Bruch Effect" 🎻

We keep a tally of your concert requests, and it turns out Colorado Springs is the secret Max Bruch Fan Club - we last performed Bruch in May 2023 with his first symphony, and the requests have not stopped since!

This weekend's Ascending concert revisits Bruch's music with Symphony No. 3 in E Major. But why the Bruch obsession?

You’re not wrong to be curious. Bruch was a titan of the Romantic era, and his influence rippled through the music of the composers who followed him. He was a master of the "long, singing melody" - the kind that grabs you on the first listen and stays with you long after the final chord. While he’s famous for his violin concertos, his symphonies are the "hidden gems" of the 19th century that we love bringing to the forefront.

What to expect at the concert: If you haven't heard this symphony before, prepare for a sonic "warm hug."

The vibe is sun-drenched stroll through the German Rhineland. Not stormy and brooding - think nostalgic, lush, and unapologetically beautiful.

The sound is delicate, atmospheric, and rich - with Bruch's signature touch behind the woodwinds and strings. The 'adagio sostenuto' movement is guaranteed to pull at your heartstrings, while the 'scherzo' is bright and playful. It's no wonder you keep requesting it, and we're grateful to have the Shockley Zalabak Theater at the Ent Center for the Arts to fit all the musicians it takes to play!

Next weekend's soloist, pianist Adam Haas, wrote the following note about his performance of Mozart's Piano Concerto No....
04/27/2026

Next weekend's soloist, pianist Adam Haas, wrote the following note about his performance of Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 20 - you can read it and more about Ascending on our concert webpage!

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K. 466, composed in 1785, stands as one of the most dramatic and emotionally charged works in his concerto output. Written during a remarkably productive period in Vienna, the concerto departs from the elegance and balance often associated with Mozart, embracing instead a darker, more turbulent expressive world. The choice of D minor—a key Mozart reserved for moments of profound intensity—places the work alongside other deeply serious compositions, such as his Requiem.

The first movement (Allegro) opens with a restless orchestral introduction, immediately establishing an atmosphere of tension and unease. Syncopated rhythms, stark dynamic contrasts, and urgent harmonic shifts create a sense of instability. When the piano enters, it does not simply echo the orchestra but responds with heightened drama and virtuosity. The dialogue between soloist and ensemble is unusually confrontational, as if two voices are struggling for resolution.

In striking contrast, the second movement (Romance) shifts to the radiant key of B-flat major. Here, Mozart provides a lyrical and serene respite from the storm. The piano sings a gentle, ornamented melody over a delicate orchestral accompaniment, evoking a sense of intimacy and grace. Yet this calm is interrupted by a sudden shift to G minor in a central episode, where agitated rhythms and darker harmonies briefly reintroduce tension before the opening tranquility is restored.

The final movement (Allegro assai) returns decisively to D minor, propelled by a driving, almost relentless energy. The principal theme begins with an explosive rising motive of arpeggiated 8th notes (often referred to as the Mannheim Rocket) that is urgent and insistent throughout. As the movement unfolds, moments of brilliance and lyricism emerge, but the underlying intensity remains. In a surprising turn, the concerto concludes in D major, transforming the earlier darkness into a triumphant resolution.

🎼 We are hiring!Everything we do at the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs starts with four simple, powerful words: "For t...
04/26/2026

🎼 We are hiring!

Everything we do at the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs starts with four simple, powerful words: "For the love of music." It’s our motto, our mission, and the reason our audiences keep coming back for more.

We're looking for our next Executive Director - an administrative leader who embodies this love of music and is ready to continue the Chamber Orchestra's work of growth and service to Colorado Springs.

If you are a dynamic leader with a heart for the arts and the skills to take a beloved organization to the next level, we want to hear from you. Know someone who would be the perfect fit? Tag them in the comments below or share this post!

The job description is available on our website, here: https://www.chamberorchestraofthesprings.org/auditions-employment

Address

3113 Primrose Drive
Colorado Springs, CO
80907

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 3pm
Tuesday 9am - 3pm
Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Thursday 12pm - 3pm
Friday 9am - 3pm
Saturday 10am - 10pm

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+17196333649

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