Denver 7's Katie LaSalle talks to the Colorado Symphony's Chief Artistic Officer Anthony Pierce about what that organization is doing to stay together during the COVID-19 pandemic and why they hope you will donate to the symphony during #GivingTuesdayNow, May 5.

The Colorado Symphony's video for "Ode to Joy" is not traditional. Then again, neither were the circumstances that spurred its release. Posted to the Colorado Symphony's blog on March 23, the video shows a virtual gathering of musicians,

While many musicians are struggling to get their music heard during this pandemic, the Colorado Symphony drew perhaps their biggest audience ever last month for the “Digital Ode to Joy.” Millions of people all over the world saw 49 symphony musicians collaborate virtually from their homes to play the Beethoven classic, as the video went viral and was picked up by major national news outlets. As all the professional musicians in the ensemble are well aware, the show must go on. So the symphony also is following up the Beethoven performance with a series of weekly Virtual Music Hour performances. 

The Colorado Symphony's Chief Artistic Officer Anthony Pierce sat down with Colorado & Company to discuss the symphony's #PlayOn initiative including the Virtual Music Hour taking place every Friday at 6 p.m. through Sunday at 6 p.m. Find all the details at ColoradoSymphony.org.

The Colorado Symphony is keeping its work alive through its #PlayOn series, which lets people enjoy different kinds of performances until at least May 11. About three weeks ago the symphony shared a digital version of Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” on YouTube, which quickly gained traction on social media, earning about 500,000 views. Other videos the organization has shared include bassoon excerpts from “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” and horn-players performing The Police’s “Don’t Stand So Close to Me.”