Even as Colorado slowly reopens, COVID-19 continues to loom over the state. In order to mark this moment, celebrate music, and reach for a little grace, the Colorado Symphony teamed up with Denver Botanic Gardens on Make Music Day, June 21, for a physically distanced alphorn duet of "Amazing Grace." The song was played by principal horn player Michael Thornton and Matthew Eckenhoff in the still-closed Mordecai Children's Garden. The alphorn, a wooden horn from the Swiss Alps that's around fourteen feet long, gave the musicians the chance to play six feet apart while allowing their instruments to be side by side. The instruments were originally used to communicate across mountains.

Whether it is performing at a Rockies baseball game or a Broncos football game, composing original music for the state government or putting on a small concert at a brewery, the Colorado Symphony is uniquely Colorado. The onset of COVID-19 has prevented the orchestra from performing together or in front of live audiences for the time being. But they're committed to #PlayOn through virtual concerts 

"How can somebody who relies on hearing to do what they do, lose their hearing and still have the wherewithal and emotional need to continue creating, even though he knew he would never be able to hear any of these works? That, to me, is kind of incomprehensible." Colorado Symphony Music Director Brett Mitchell chats with CPR Classical host David Ginder about the mystery of Beethoven.

Join the Colorado Symphony as they relive some of their best performances during the “Virtual Music Hour.” Each performance has a special introduction from a musician or conductor. There are also fun activities that help listeners dive deeper into the music. The recordings are posted on Friday evenings.

The Colorado Symphony has postponed in-perso nconcerts through May 31 but are continuing to #PlayOn by streaming virtual concerts online each weekend at ColoradoSymphony.org.