Colorado Springs Music City Speaker Notes PDF

Slide 1: Colorado Springs: An Up-and-Coming Music City Hello, I’m Gina Li, and today I’m going to tell you about the music scene in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Slide 2: City Stats Colorado Springs, or “the Springs,” is a city of about 480,000 people located about 70 miles...

Slide 1: Colorado Springs: An Up-and-Coming Music City Hello, I’m Gina Li, and today I’m going to tell you about the music scene in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Slide 2: City Stats Colorado Springs, or “the Springs,” is a city of about 480,000 people located about 70 miles south of Denver. Known for its stunning natural beauty, the city and surrounding area offer a mix of outdoor adventures, including hiking, rock climbing, and skiing in the nearby mountains. The city has been growing for years, as many people are attracted to its thriving arts scene and family-friendly atmosphere. The cost of living in Colorado Springs is 12% higher than the national average, making it slightly more expensive than most cities. Many young families live here, as they are drawn to the outdoor culture. Slide 3: Unique Influences and Features Colorado Springs is also home to landmarks like the US Air Force Academy. Pikes Peak, one of the most famous mountains in Colorado, is a primary feature of the city. The Garden of the Gods, a public park famous for its towering red rock formations, like you see here, draws crowds of tourists each year. There are also many outdoor craft breweries, restaurants, and other opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Slide 4: What Makes Colorado Springs a Music City? Colorado Springs meets many of the Music City criteria we’ve discussed in class. These ten are especially important and have helped make Colorado Springs an important destination for many musicians and bands. Slide 5: Diverse Music Styles The Colorado Springs Philharmonic presents a broad spectrum of orchestral music, from timeless classical works to contemporary pieces. Smaller ensembles, chamber music, and recitals also contribute to the classical presence in the city. Rock, Indie, and Alternative Music Venues like The Black Sheep, The Underground, and The Triple Nickel Tavern are key parts of the local live music scene, showcasing indie rock, punk, metal, and alternative bands.  These venues support both local acts and touring artists, and their support for live performance means that musicians of all levels have a chance to engage with audiences. Country and Folk Music Country music festivals, such as the Colorado Springs Country Music Festival, attract both fans and artists from around the region. Music festivals like the Pikes Peak Folk Festival are an important part of the Springs’ culture. Slide 6: Artistic Collaboration Classical Meets Contemporary: Many classical music organizations like The Colorado Springs Philharmonic collaborate with contemporary rock, pop, or electronic artists for special performances. This type of collaboration attracts both classical music lovers and younger audiences interested in more modern sounds. For example, in recent years, performances have included orchestral versions of songs by The Rolling Stones, the soundtrack of the Star Wars movies, and arrangements of jazz classics from artists like Irving Berlin and Louis Armstrong. Indie Rock and Electronic Dance Music (EDM): Venues like Sunshine Studios and The Loft regularly feature local indie rock bands and EDM DJs performing side by side or even collaborating on stage. The rock band may play traditional instruments like guitar, bass, and drums with a DJ on stage adding electronic elements like synthesized basslines. Artists and DJs from both worlds are increasingly collaborating on tracks and performing live together, pushing the boundaries of what is typically expected from both genres. World Music and Jazz: Local events often feature world music ensembles with sounds from Latin America, Africa, or the Middle East, alongside jazz performers who bring their own improv skills to the table. The Pikes Peak Jazz and Swing Society frequently collaborates with musicians from other cultural traditions to create a unique musical experience. Slide 7: University Programs Several higher education institutions in Colorado Springs offer formal music education programs. The University of Colorado Colorado Springs, or UCCS, offers Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Arts in Music degrees, providing courses in music performance, composition, music history, and theory. Colorado College offers a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a strong liberal arts foundation. The program emphasizes performance, composition, and music theory, and students have access to a vibrant campus music scene Slide 8: City Support Colorado Springs has a dedicated Cultural Services Division within the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services department. This division oversees a variety of arts and cultural programs, including music, and is involved in organizing events and supporting local artists and musicians. The City Arts Fund and offers grants to non-profit arts organizations in the area, which can be used for music-related projects and performances. The Pikes Peak Arts Council works closely with the city and advocates for arts funding. The city's commitment to fostering a creative economy includes initiatives to support local musicians, such as helping to promote local music businesses, musicians, and music-related events. Slide 9: Variety of Venues 1 Ford Amphitheater Ford Amphitheater is an outdoor concert venue that opened earlier this year. This is the largest venue in Colorado Springs and can hold over 8000 people. Boot Barn Hall Boot Barn Hall mostly caters to country, Americana, bluegrass, and rock fans. It has a capacity of 500 people and is the go-to country music venue in Colorado Springs. It also has a large stage and dance floor, making it perfect for line dancing and enjoying a more traditional country music experience. Slide 10: Variety of Venues 2 Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts  Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts is the city's most important large indoor venue for concerts, touring Broadway shows, and symphonic performances. It has a capacity of over 2000 and is the home to the Colorado Springs Philharmonic..The Black Sheep The Black Sheep hosts indie rock bands, punk shows, metal gigs, and electronic music events. It can hold over 500 people and has become a hub for the local alternative scene, as well as a go-to spot for up-and-coming bands and established touring acts. Videos on YouTube confirm that The Black Sheep is one of the most popular small venues in Colorado Springs and that there is almost always a line to get in for events and concerts. Slide 11: Demographics/Population Young Professional and Military Population Colorado Springs is home to a large military community, with several military bases like the Air Force Academy and Fort Carson. The young adults and military personnel bring a demand for lively music scenes, such as rock, indie, hip-hop, EDM, and punk. College Students and Education Given the two large colleges here, the city attracts a large student population. College students bring a demand for a variety of music genres, including indie rock, punk, electronic music, and experimental genres. Families and Long-Term Residents Families and long-term residents are often looking for wholesome, family-friendly entertainment. This population tends to have more traditional tastes in music, with a preference for genres like country, classic rock, blues, and folk. Diverse Cultural Communities The city’s population includes a growing number of Latinx, African-American, and Asian-American communities. These diverse cultural groups bring unique musical traditions in salsa, banda, reggae, jazz, blues, and hip-hop that influence the local scene. Slide 12: Recognition by City Leaders Tourism, Music Festivals, and Jobs City leaders in Colorado Springs recognize that music helps to stimulate the city’s economy. They encourage musical tourism and make an effort to support musical events in the city. Festivals and events attract tourists, boost local businesses, and provide job opportunities for event staff, vendors, performers, and hospitality workers. Support from the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce The Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce works with local businesses to highlight how live music plays a key role in enhancing the city’s reputation as a place for both tourism and business investment. Marketing the City as a Cultural Destination Colorado Springs promotes its vibrant cultural scene, including its live music offerings, as a major selling point for tourism. The city's music festivals and performances are marketed in regional and national campaigns to increase both tourism and regional recognition. Slide 13: Receptive and Engaged Audience Diverse Music Tastes and Strong Local Support Colorado Springs has a diverse population with varied musical tastes, which makes the audience receptive to a wide range of genres. The local community takes great pride in supporting homegrown musicians and independent artists Whether through festivals, free concerts in the park, pop-up performances, or music events tied to other community celebrations, the city encourages music as a form of community bonding. Slide 14: Uniqueness of Location Natural Beauty and Inspiration The Rocky Mountains, Pikes Peak and the Garden of the Gods create a unique and beautiful backdrop for art that has inspired many artists. Proximity to Denver and Santa Fe  While Colorado Springs is relatively small compared to cities like Denver, it benefits from its proximity to larger cultural hubs like Denver, Santa Fe, and Boulder. Historical Significance in American Music Colorado Springs has a rich musical history that spans from the late 1800s. It was a place where early American composers and musicians like Katherine Lee Bates found inspiration. Bates’s famous song “America the Beautiful” was inspired by the view from the top of Pikes Peak Outdoor Lifestyle and Music The sunny weather and warm temperature make Colorado Springs a perfect place for outdoor music events. Music is a natural part of outdoor community activities, from holiday celebrations to live music at breweries. Slide 15: Local Talent and Music Community Colorado Springs is home to a growing community of musicians, ranging from seasoned professionals to budding artists. Venues in the Springs frequently book new, young talent. Stores like What’s Left records help people develop their musical knowledge and encourage young artists to perform. Slide 16: Interview: Solveig (SOUL-vay) Olsen 1 For my first interview I talked to Solveig Olsen, a singer, actress, and vocal coach in Colorado Springs. She is the Head of Voice at UCCS, and has taught and directed there since 2013. Slide 17: Interview: Solveig Olsen 2 My discussion with Solveig confirmed that rock bands can easily call venues to rent or book spaces. As a teacher, she has evidence that music education is important to the community because she has students of all ages. Slide 18: Caitlin Hilzer #1 For my second interview I spoke to Caitlin Hilzer, the Dean of Performing Arts at the Parker Performing Arts High School. She is a singer and instrumentalist who has lived in Colorado her whole life and has several music degrees from the University of Denver. Slide 19: Interview: Caitlin Hilzer #2 Caitlin confirmed that the Colorado Springs Philharmonic is highly respected. She told me that she knows people who play military music for the Air Force Academy and that only people in the community know about these jobs. She also said that church music is important in the Springs because much of the population is Christian. She confirmed that outdoor live music is important and that people love to hear live music performed by local musicians at breweries, usually indie or folk. Slide 20: Conclusion Colorado Springs has many strengths as a music city. Given these factors, it will surely continue to grow as a music destination, especially as its population continues to increase. This collaborative, music-loving community will surely continue to support music and foster the next generation of artists. Slide 21: Research Sources Slide 22: Thank you!