Back in the early 80s, I worked in the Box Office for the Denver Symphony Orchestra, now named the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. It was a fun, casual work environment starkly contrasted by the formal patrons who bought our tickets to hear the symphony play the works of the great masters in beautiful Boettcher Concert Hall. The definition of polite society, patrons of the symphony attended not only to hear the music but to see and be seen. Opening night would be covered on the front page of the Arts section of the Denver Post along with breathless commentary on the scions of culture and the designer gowns that were worn.
My how things have changed since I worked there. Yesterday, CSO executive director Jerry Kern announced a new series of performances by the symphony that is being sponsored by the pro-cannabis group Edible Events. The series of three concerts called Classically Cannabis: The High Note Series kicks off with a chamber ensemble playing for an intimate crowd at the Space Gallery in Denver's trendy Santa Fe arts district, giving the final performance by the entire symphony at the stunningly beautiful Red Rocks Amphitheatre.
Experience the Colorado Symphony in a brand new way… with Part 1 of our summer concert series. Join us as we travel along the Pan American Highway with stops for chimchurri, arepas & the best salty roasted jalapenos you've ever had. Wash it all down with a Negra Modelo, Pacifico, or a sea salt limeade. Sweet tooth? Little Man Ice Cream & Aiko Pops have custom flavors for the evening and the sounds of a Colorado Symphony chamber ensemble performing in a casual setting while you eat, drink and mingle. Enjoy the outdoor patio & gardens. Price of reservation includes food, beverage, and entertainment. Dress to impress for an art gallery setting, NO costumes or thematic clothing is required. This is a cannabis-friendly event being held on private property. But cannabis will NOT be sold at this event; it's strictly BYOC (bring your own cannabis). Please view disclaimer below. Be sure to get your tickets early!
If you told me in 1983 that I would be writing about the Colorado Symphony Orchestra hosting BYOC performances I would have called you a liar to your face. That the conservative crowd of classical music lovers would ever rub elbows with openly pot smoking "hippies" would have been unthinkable at the time. But it is a different era and the Colorado Symphony Orchestra is
recognizing a brilliant opportunity to reach out to a new audience, one that likely associates classical music with disapproving conservatives who would look down their noses should they try to mingle amongst them.
While acknowledging that the arrangement is unusual, even ground-breaking, CSO executive director Jerry Kern said the concerts will help the orchestra reach beyond its conservative, fine arts demographic while raising money for an organization that has struggled financially in recent years.
"We see ourselves as connecting classical music with all of Colorado," said Kern. "Part of our goal is to bring in a younger audience and a more diverse audience, and I would suggest that the patrons of the cannabis industry are both younger and more diverse than the patrons of the symphony orchestra."
Reaching out to this new demographic will surely introduce young people to the genre of classical music who may never have even given it a passing glance. It is also certain to win some converts who will discover a world of beautiful music that spans centuries and informs music today. It defies my own imagination to think that anyone could listen to Bach's Brandenburg Concertos with a lovely buzz on and not be enchanted.