Students Attend Colorado Symphony's "All Beethoven: 250th Birthday Celebration"
An Evening at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts
On Monday, December 16th, the upper school students of Our Lady Help of Christians Academy attended the Colorado Symphony’s “All Beethoven: 250th Birthday Celebration” at the Boettcher Concert Hall in the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Students were accompanied by upper school staff as well as the four priests from St. Isidore's.
The evening's performance was led by Assistant Conductor Bertie Baigent and included a special one-night-only presentation of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. Mr. Baigent, a 24-year old British conductor and winner of multiple prestigious international awards for both composition and performance, was joined by another young star, pianist Benjamin Randall. Mr. Randall performed Beethoven's Fifth Piano Concerto to conclude the first half of the concert. The students took a particular interest in Mr. Randall, an 18-year-old Colorado native, and enjoyed a pleasant conversation with him after the symphony.
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Students and staff alike, dressed in formal attire, made the trip to downtown Denver for the event. The Performing Arts Complex, which includes the Ellie Caulkins Opera House and the nationally acclaimed Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre, was beautifully decorated for Christmas, adding to the evening's festive spirit.
In the weeks leading up to this outing, Father Robinson presented a series of conferences to the students on Beethoven, including a musical analysis of his Fifth Symphony and its famous opening four-note motif, ominously signifying “fate knocking at the door.” The school is looking forward to the next symphony outing.
Mr. Benjamin Randall with student David Cichos; Senior Emily Banks with sister and Lower School TA Rachel.
