The FCS Blog

News, Resources, and Program Notes

The FCS blog is your one-stop spot for all of our Symphony News, Educational Articles, and Blog Posts.

You can find more great information by exploring our Program Notes Archive, Open Notes Podcast, and Virtual Concerts/Videos, or by joining our email list.

Murphy’s Law at its finest…

Dear FCS Patrons, As you are aware, your Fort Collins Symphony has been working hard with our City of Fort Collins partners at the Lincoln Center to continue performing during the pandemic. Being able to offer live-streams and webcasts of our perform

Meet Guest Pianist Bryan Wallick

Thank you for joining us today for this Fort Collins Symphony guest artist interview with guest pianist Bryan Wallick. Mr. Wallick joined the FCS for Energized, Unsure & Triumphant, live and live-streamed on November 6, 2021. Our Assistant Conductor

Energized, Unsure, and Triumphant FCS Signature Concert 2

FCS to Perform Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and Perkinson

The award-winning Fort Collins Symphony (FCS), under the baton of Maestro Wes Kenney, will perform a concert of Classical, Romantic, and contemporary music at 7:30 PM on Saturday, November 6, 2021 at the Fort Collins Lincoln Center. The Symphony’s Si

FCS Wins The American Prize in Orchestral Performance, 2021

FCS Wins the American Prize in Orchestral Performance, 2021 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 div

Violinist Linda Wang with a grey background

Meet Violinist Linda Wang

Violinist Linda Wang Violinist Linda Wang joins your Fort Collins Symphony on October 2nd to perform Leonard Bernstein’s Serenade after Plato’s Symposium. Signature Concert #1, Fury, Contemplation & Hope, Opens the 2021-22 season. Ms. Wang made her c

Reflections Signature Concert 1 Banner with violin

FCS Returns to the Lincoln Center with its 21-22 Signature Concert Series

The Fort Collins Symphony (FCS), under the baton of Maestro Wes Kenney, returns to the Fort Collins’ Lincoln Center stage for its 2021-22 Season at 7:30 PM, Saturday, October 2, 2021. The emotion-filled Signature Concert 1 features music by Leonard B

Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra with Rocky Mountains in background by Westwater Arts

FCS to be Featured in United Symphonies of America! Event

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, premiering at 4:30 p.m. MT on September 30, 2021 at https

Digital Programs are a Change for the Good!

Your Fort Collins Symphony is excited to announce the adoption of digital program books for our upcoming season, Reflections: The Emotions of Music. This change comes in light of many factors, including individual and community safety, environmental

The Fort Collins Symphony’s Silver Linings Playbook

By Mary Kopco, Executive Director and Wes Kenney, Music Director The Fort Collins Symphony (FCS), in the middle of its Platinum Season 70, hosted a concert titled “Silver Linings” on March 7, 2020. In the weeks leading up to and following the concert

Peter and the Wolf: A Virtual On-Demand Educational Concert

The Friends of the Symphony Presents: Peter and the Wolf A Virtual On-Demand Educational Concert for the Young and Young at Heart The Friends of the Symphony presents Musical Zoo 2021, a free on-demand virtual concert from Monday, April 5 through Wed

Maestro Wes Kenney and the Fort Collins Symphony announced as Semi-Finalists for the 2021 American Prize

The American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts is the nation’s most comprehensive series of contests in the classical arts. The competition is nonprofit, unique in scope and structure, and is designed to evaluate, recognize

The Fort Collins Symphony performing at the Gardens at Spring Creek in August 2020.

FCS Winner of New World Report’s 2020 North American Business Award

The Fort Collins Symphony performing at the Gardens at Spring Creek, August 2020. The Fort Collins Symphony was recently honored with the New World Report 2020 North America Business Award for Best Regional Orchestra. According to Awards Coordinator

How to pick your Perfect Seat at the Symphony

How to pick your Perfect Seat at the Symphony With over one thousand seats available at the Lincoln Center in Fort Collins, CO, and many venues seating far more, the question of “where should I sit” is important. For anybody visiting the symphony for

Maestro Wes Kenney Selected as Honored Artist of the American Prize

The Fort Collins Symphony’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Maestro Wes Kenney is one of six musicians and ensembles recently selected as Honored Artist of the American Prize National Nonprofit Competitions in the Performing Arts. Acco

Maestro Kenney’s Adventures in Ukraine

Ukrainian Adventure, Part 1 On the day the Music Director of the Lviv Philharmonic, Taras Krysa, was conducting the Fort Collins Symphony in concert, I was on my way to Lviv, Ukraine. I’ll admit it was a little disconcerting to see my suitcase get on

Musical Zoo 2020 – Orchestral Fun for Children

The Friends of the Symphony will host Musical Zoo 2020 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 1, 2020 at the Fort Collins Timberline Church. This exciting program of musical education and fun is designed especially for children 3-12 years of ag

Beethoven’s 5th Symphony Live with the Fort Collins Symphony

You have heard Beethoven’s 5th Symphony many times in movies, commercials, TV shows, cartoons, games, and more. Its iconic opening melody is one of the most recognizable themes in the world. But have you heard this monumental piece of music in person

Fort Collins Symphony Presents Rare Performance

Under the direction of Maestro Wes Kenney, the Fort Collins Symphony continues the Platinum Season 70 with its Pure Gems concert at 7:30 PM on Saturday, November 2, 2019 at the Fort Collins Lincoln Center. This evening of live music features a rare b

FCS to Premiere New Work by Composer Chris Pilsner

The Fort Collins Symphony (FCS) will premiere a new symphonic work, “A Light in the Ocean,” by composer and Fort Collins native Chris Pilsner at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 5, 2019 at the Fort Collins Lincoln Center. The Symphony commissioned Pils

Platinum Season 70 begins with a “Sterling Silver” Concert

A 70-year anniversary — a rare occasion indeed — is celebrated with a gift of platinum. The Fort Collins Symphony (FCS) is honored to offer the gifts of rare and sparkling performances to the greater Fort Collins region throughout its Platinum 70th S

Fort Collins Symphony Announces Platinum Season 70

Since 1949, the Fort Collins Symphony (FCS) has offered exceptional classical, traditional, contemporary, and popular symphonic performances to northern Colorado residents and visitors. The FCS Board of Directors is pleased to announce the 2019-20 re

The Fort Collins Symphony takes an American Road Trip

Under the baton of Maestro Wes Kenney, take a tour with the Fort Collins Symphony (FCS) through the Great American Soundscape during its annual Pops Concert entitled “American Road Trip” on Friday, March 29 at 7:00 pm at Timberline Church (2908 South

Musical Zoo 2019 – Orchestral Fun for Children

The Friends of the Symphony will host Musical Zoo 2019 on Sunday, March 3, 2019 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Fort Collins’ Timberline Church. This exciting program of musical education and entertainment is designed especially for children 3-12 year

The Fort Collins Symphony’s Musical Journey Continues with Masterworks 4 Concert

The musical odyssey continues! Join the Fort Collins Symphony (FCS) for an audio adventure that spans two continents in its Masterworks 4 concert, “The Andes to Austria,” on Saturday, March 2, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. at the Fort Collins Lincoln Center. U

The Fort Collins Symphony’s Journey Continues: Masterworks 3 Concert

The Fort Collins Symphony (FCS)’s musical journey continues with its Masterworks 3 Concert, “London to Leningrad,” on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. at the Fort Collins’ Lincoln Center. Under the direction of Maestro Wes Kenney, the FCS will

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