30 Years Ago Tonight: Our First Concert in the Ordway Music Theater

1st-OMT-Concert

As you could probably tell from Wednesday’s news stories, we’re pretty excited to begin a new era with our move into the new Ordway Concert Hall — especially designed for the unique acoustical needs of a chamber orchestra.

But it was actually 30 years ago tonight that we performed our first official concert on the Ordway Music Theater stage, at 8 p.m. on January 9, 1985. Music Director Pinchas Zukerman led the program:

SMITH: The Star Spangled Banner
MOZART: Regina coeli, K. 276(321b)
MOZART: Violin Concerto No. 5 in A
MOZART: Symphony No. 41 in C, K. 551, Jupiter 

During those 30 years, the Music Theater been the setting for some remarkable performances. We’re certain that nostalgia will be in the air when we bid farewell to the hall with a final performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony on Valentine’s Day.

During this morning’s rehearsal break, some of the musicians and staff who were here in 1985 posed for a quick photo:

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Left to right: Technical Director Jon Kjarum, bassoonist Carole Mason Smith, librarian Jim Kortz, Principal Bassoon Charles Ullery, violinist Elsa Nilsson, Special Assistant to the President and retired violinist Thomas Kornacker, and Associate Principal Cello Joshua Koestenbaum.