Although “any member of a fine symphony orchestra today is a virtuoso and a great artist,” says Music Director Peter Oundjian, the road to Carnegie Hall can be long and arduous. For some musicians, the opportunity never calls but your Colorado Symphony has put in the work, and it’s paid off.
On February 1, 2026, the orchestra will perform at Carnegie Hall with world-renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman. Before they go, Colorado Symphony musicians share their stories about the opportunity to perform at this iconic venue — some for the very first time…
Catherine Peterson
Assistant Principal / Second Flute
“Returning for a third time with the orchestra that I have called “home” for the last 28 years will be just as exciting as the first time; each musical experience is always unique.”
I first performed at Carnegie Hall as a student with the University of Michigan Wind Ensemble. As a professional musician, I returned to Carnegie Hall with the Baltimore Symphony under the direction of Marin Alsop, the Conductor Laureate of the Colorado Symphony. The excitement of being on tour both times was energizing and inspiring. After all, didn’t all of us grow up hearing “How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice, Practice, Practice!” from our teachers trying to inspire us to get into that practice room to do our scales?!
Returning for a third time with the orchestra that I have called “home” for the last 28 years will be just as exciting as the first time; each musical experience is always unique. As always, I am grateful to our generous supporters here in Denver that believe in our orchestra and know we will shine in NYC.
August Ramos
Double Bass
“There is no other space in classical music so renowned that you could expect anybody you talk with to know of it by name.”
Going to Carnegie Hall is a sign of growth, ambition, and quality for a musician. There is no other space in classical music so renowned that you could expect anybody you talk with to know of it by name. In this way, it feels deeply meaningful to be part of this orchestra’s first trip to New York City and Carnegie Hall.
I joined the Colorado Symphony in 2020, in the middle of the pandemic. Back then, the ambition of the orchestra was to make it through a crisis in which performing music for live audiences was impossible. To think about touring anywhere, least of all to New York City, was out of the question at the time.
Going from where we were in 2020 to now, not only sounding better than ever but also about to go to Carnegie Hall, feels amazing. It makes me look forward to what more there is to come for the Colorado Symphony. I hope above all else that this tour results in the visibility needed for us to be able to give even better experiences to concert-goers at home in Colorado.
Annamaria Vasmatzidis
Violin
“I only wish I could go back in time and tell 8-year-old Annamaria, ‘Keep working hard! We’re doing it!’”
Growing up in New Jersey, the majority of my early musical education happened in New York City. I started taking lessons in the city when I was just 8-years-old and was exposed to the glamour but also the hustle and hardships it took to pursue this career very early on. Carnegie Hall was such a close physical presence, but to perform on that stage felt like a faraway dream. My young, optimistic self would think, “Someday,” but sadly my student years never afforded me the opportunity.
To make my debut on the Carnegie stage as a proud, tenured member of the Colorado Symphony is an immeasurable joy. I couldn’t be more excited to make my return at such a pivotal point in my career, as well as the Symphony’s. I only wish I could go back in time and tell 8-year-old Annamaria, “Keep working hard! We’re doing it!”
Peter Cooper
Principal Oboe
“I feel deep satisfaction to be returning to Carnegie Hall with the CSO and feel it completes something in me that I hadn’t realized needed completion.”
Before I joined the Colorado Symphony in 1993, I played for three seasons in the San Francisco Symphony. During those three years, we made two trips to Carnegie Hall. The first time, I was so excited to be playing there, I arrived at the rehearsal 90 minutes early so I was able to have a half hour alone on stage. Just my oboe sound mingling with the ghosts of past musical superstars.
When I played there two years later, I had already won the Colorado Symphony audition, and I knew I would be moving to Denver. The CSO was in its early years then – just a short time after the orchestra re-formed following the Denver Symphony’s bankruptcy. I wasn’t completely sure the orchestra would survive and certainly a Carnegie Hall trip with the CSO was not even a remote possibility. As I was playing that last New York concert with the San Francisco Symphony, I told myself that this was likely the last time I would ever play in Carnegie Hall and that was a sad thought.
So now, 33 years later I am returning to play there with the strong, financially healthy and world class orchestra that the Colorado Symphony has become. Not only have we survived, but we have also thrived. I feel deep satisfaction to be returning to Carnegie Hall with the CSO and feel it completes something in me that I hadn’t realized needed completion.
Quincey Trojanowski
Principal Bassoon
“To play in [Carnegie] hall fueled my passion and I was determined to one day play there again.”
As a 17-year old, I had the incredible opportunity to play in Carnegie Hall with the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America right before we embarked on a tour of China, South Korea, and Taiwan. Even at that young of an age, I was absolutely in awe of the history and significance of Carnegie Hall. It was the honor of a lifetime to walk the halls, sit on the stage, and join the hall’s extraordinary history and lineage. To play in that hall fueled my passion and I was determined to one day play there again.
Now, eight years later, I could not be happier to be joining the Colorado Symphony as their new principal bassoonist. The orchestra is flourishing to say the least, and to join this group at such an exciting time in its history is such an incredible honor that I hold very close to my heart. Coming back to Carnegie hall for the second time is thrilling in itself, but coming back to the hall as a new member of this world-class orchestra is what really makes this experience unforgettable.
Join us for our NYC Sendoff Concert
Experience the complete Carnegie Hall program just days before the orchestra takes Denver & Colorado to the world stage.
Plus, an exclusive offer opportunity for attendees!
