As COVID-19 cancelled hundreds of concerts across the country, the Colorado Symphony paved the way just 10 days into the pandemic by releasing a recording of “Ode to Joy” that included dozens of sheltered musicians and was viewed nearly 600,000 times around the world. And it was the Symphony that managed to first bring live music back to Red Rocks later in the summer with a series of acoustic string ensemble concerts that were limited to 175 masked and distanced audiences. 

Colorado Symphony Violist Helen McDermott discusses how the organization has dealt with the effects of COVID-19 on live music and the performing arts. 

One year after the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in Colorado, the state honored the nearly 6,000 lives lost in an "Evening of Remembrance." After Governor Jared Polis' address, Mary Louise Lee, along with the Colorado Symphony Brass, performed a special rendition of "Amazing Grace."

Mary Hill is battling stage three pancreatic cancer. During her 70th chemotherapy treatment, Mary, a life-long classical music fan, used virtual reality to escape from her infusion chair to center stage at Red Rocks Amphitheater for an extraordinary performance by the Colorado Symphony.

RMPBS follows the efforts of the Colorado music industry, including the Colorado Symphony, to re-start and re-engage with music lovers and audience members during the summer and fall of 2020. Colorado Symphony musicians Karen Kinzie and Peter Cooper were interviewed as part of this project and can be seen starting at the 6:19 mark.