Fort Collins Symphony – Awards
2021
The American Prize
David Katz, chief judge of The American Prize, announced that the Fort Collins Symphony (FCS) is the first-place winner of the 2021 American Prize in Orchestral Performance (professional division). The orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Wes Kenney, was selected for its stellar 2019 performance of Dmitri Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 9. The concert was performed and recorded during the 2018-2019 Odyssey season. In the recording, the 63-piece orchestra clearly demonstrated their prowess in their presentation of the work. According to Board president Walt Elish, “the award is yet another testament to the exceptional skill of our musicians and maestro, and the quality of our orchestra.”
Maestro Wes Kenney was also selected as one of six Honored Artists by the American Prize this year. According to chief judge David Katz, Maestro Kenney “has proven himself to be an artist of sustained excellence.”
United Symphonies of America
The Fort Collins Symphony, under the direction of Music Director Wes Kenney, has been chosen to represent the State of Colorado in the first-ever national United Symphonies of America! event. United Symphonies of America! is a national project aimed at promoting a spirit of inclusion, unity and goodwill by celebrating the social mission of orchestras across the nation.
According to Jonathan McPhee, co-founder of United Symphonies of America!, this first-of-its-kind collaborative program is designed to address multiple issues that orchestras of all sizes are currently encountering. “Post-pandemic, the nation’s professional orchestras are facing challenges related to audience development, resource development, and the ongoing effort to be diverse and inclusive,” McPhee said. “The United Symphonies of America! project is designed to help orchestras meet these challenges, and showcase the wonderful contributions they make throughout the nation.”
“We are thrilled to have been selected to represent the State of Colorado in this historic initiative,” said Walt Elish, Board President of the Fort Collins Symphony. “We will be showcasing our B Sharp Arts Engagement Program for people living with dementia and their care partners.”
New World Report 2020 North America Business Award for Best Regional Orchestra.
The Fort Collins Symphony (FCS) was recently honored with the New World Report 2020 North America Business Award for Best Regional Orchestra for its efforts to keep its musicians employed and its community engaged during the pandemic. According to Awards Coordinator Katherine Benton, “It is always a pleasure to highlight companies across the nation, especially with consideration of the challenges all businesses and all industries have faced over the last year.”
New World Report is a business news platform providing readers throughout the Americas with business advice to aid business progress, success stories aimed to inspire, and trends and innovations to support business growth and continuity.
