Durango Colorado

Music in the Mountains

About the Festival

Beginning in 1987 with 11 musicians who performed five concerts, Music in the Mountains has grown to a three-week festival featuring more than 250 musicians from around the world who will perform more than 30 concerts during the 2005 season.

At the height of the summer season, the Durango community virtually hums with activity as musicians arrive from nationally recognized symphony orchestras and guest soloists descend from lofty venues in world capitals.

Nestled in the heart of the San Juan Mountains, Durango is home to Durango Mountain Resort , the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College, among other popular Southwest attractions.

In addition, nearby Pagosa Springs hosts three concerts at the spectacular Boot Jack Ranch. Each of these destinations is transformed into a site for Music in the Mountains concerts, which include orchestral performances, chamber ensemble programs, conservatory recitals, a Pops night, free concerts for children and their families, and special events.

All of the musicians who perform with the Festival Orchestra and the chamber music ensembles are professionals currently enjoying careers with nationally recognized symphony orchestras or noted musical organizations.

Many choose to come to Durango for the summer from the Dallas/Fort Worth area; some have come from as far away as the Canary Islands. Several others hold teaching positions at prestigious universities and colleges.

Among our guest soloists, some were born in the former Soviet Union, and all have toured in major capitals around the world.

Festival History

In 1987, Maestro Semanitzky dreamed of a classical music festival in Durango and set his vision in motion.

Through support from Fort Lewis College, The Durango Herald, Durango Mountain Resort (formerly Durango Ski Corporation), Morley Ballantine and Bank of Colorado (formerly Burns Bank), the concept came to life.

The season included five concerts and featured 11 musicians, all of whom were members of the Dallas Fine Arts Chamber Players, a group also founded by Semanitzky.

All of the founding sponsors continue to support the Festival, although some have undergone ownership and/or name changes.

In response to the growing interest of local and regional audiences, Music in the Mountains has broadened its program steadily over the past 18 years – increasing the number of concerts and venues.

Conceived originally as a fully-integrated summer music festival, Maestro Semanitzky introduced a chamber music series in 1997, under the direction of Gregory Hustis, principal horn of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. And, in conjunction with the New Conservatory of Dallas, Conservatory Music in the Mountains also was launched in 1997, under the direction of Arkady Fomin, violinist with the Dallas Symphony.

Early on, Maestro Semanitzky recognized the value of including children and families in the summer Festival and subsequently incorporated free concerts for young people in city parks.

Recognizing, too, the importance of year-round exposure to classical music, the Music in the Mountains Goes to School Program was created in 1999. And, as part of the Festival's enduring contribution to classical music, Music in the Mountains recorded its first CD in 2002.

The “Three-Piano Salute to Mozart” features the only known recording of Mozart piano concertos for three pianos, two pianos and solo piano, performed by the Festival Orchestra and noted pianist Aviram Reichert, who is joined on the recording by pianists Jo Boatright, Eleanor Elkins and Linda Mack.

Music in the Mountains' 19 th season, which begins July 17 and runs through August 7, 2005, will feature more than 250 musicians and include 34 performances in multiple venues.

Music in the Mountains maintains a full-service office year round in Durango, Colorado. The offices are located at 1911 Main Avenue, Suite 101. Please write to us at Music in the Mountains, P.O. Box 3751, Durango, CO 81302. Phone: (970) 385-6820. Fax: (970) 382-0982.

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