Transforming and inspiring community through excellence in music, theatre, education and historic Center Stage.

For years, people have asked me why I chose a career in music. For years, I didn’t have a great answer for them, I just knew it held some deep and inexpressible meaning for me. It wasn’t until I led a choir on a tour through Romania about 10 years ago where we performed for orphans, prison inmates, abandoned disabled youth, and impoverished Romani children that the true power of music and the arts became clear to me. 

Music holds an immense power to Create Connections and Dissolve Divisions.

In the wake of the recent election, I was struck by the fact that half of the country was triumphant and overjoyed while the other half was shocked and dismayed. I have often wondered what might happen if, instead of trying to assert their righteousness and ideology on one another, our elected representatives chose to begin legislative sessions by singing together. If our leaders could join their voices in unified harmony singing “America the Beautiful” to re-affirm their shared nationality – their shared humanity – perhaps the rest of us might not find ourselves baffled and afraid of the people across the street. 

Since Congress does not yet have a resident Music Director, then I suppose it falls to community arts organizations to fill that need! 

Ovation West’s mission to transform and inspire our community is rooted in the mystical, magical power of music, theatre, and the performing arts to bring us all together in a shared experience and to reveal to us those deep, universal truths about the human condition. Truths that remind us that we all love, we all hurt, we all hope, we all despair, regardless of which candidate’s sign graces our front yard, what name we use for the Divine, what language we use to tell our kids we love them, or how many years we have trod the earth.

At this past weekend’s outstanding “Star Shower” concerts, as I looked out at many familiar faces in the audience, I knew that their love of beautiful music transcended any differences they might harbor. The lauds and adulation we have received from attendees since then have only affirmed that notion.

The Chorale’s next concert, “Lincoln Portrait,” will include the One World Singers and the Evergreen Chamber Orchestra in a massive display of collaboration and cooperation, with an even greater focus on unity and the American Dream. But you don’t have to wait until the end of March to experience more of the magic of great musical performances!

December is a busy month at Center Stage, with the next installment of the “Sounds of Silents” film series on December 5th, the return of David Arkenstone’s ever popular “A Winter’s Eve” concert on December 6th, a free (yes, FREE!) Holiday Carol sing-along for the whole family on December 14th, and Altezza Chamber Choir’s annual Mountain Holiday Concert with the Evergreen Chamber Orchestra right next door at Evergreen Christian Church on December 21st.

Here's a fun fact: Did you know that ticket sales only make up about half of what it takes for arts organizations like Ovation West to put on all these concerts, shows, and events? Some of the rest comes from grants, but a large portion of what is required to do what we do comes from the direct support of the people who recognize the real value of the arts in our society. 

You can show your support and help us to preserve, promote, and protect the arts in Colorado by making a donation on Colorado Gives Day. While we love and appreciate your support on any day of the year, the neat thing about donating during Colorado Gives Day on December 10th is that your donation has a chance to multiply itself through matching incentive programs, so your $100 can turn into $200, or even more!

We’ll send out more detailed information on how all that works (or you can visit the CO Gives website to learn more), but for now, please plan to show your support with a financial gift to Ovation West Performing Arts on Tuesday, December 10th, and help us keep the arts thriving in our community for years to come!

We can’t wait to transform and inspire you again soon!

Sing-cerely,

Graham Anduri, Executive Director