We’re kicking off today’s podcast with a new episode in our mini series Your Guide to the Orchestra’s Instruments.

It’s one of the most well known instruments in the Orchestra. It has so many different sound possibilities. It’s known to be an extremely virtuosic instrument. It’s an extraordinary solo instrument and ensemble instrument. It’s not a bird, or a plane...it’s the violin!

To help us explore this popular instrument, we’re joined by one of our very own FCS musicians, Byron Hitchcock, our Concertmaster.

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Today we’re thrilled to chat with Portuguese-Canadian clarinetist Wesley Ferreira, the featured guest artist for our Signature Concert 5: Rhythms of Diversity and Energy on Saturday, May 2nd at 7:30pm. He will be performing Daniel Frieberg’s Jazz Clarinet Concerto Latin American Chronicles.

He's an internationally recognized soloist, chamber musician, and educator. He has performed across North America and Europe, released critically acclaimed recordings, and currently serves as Professor of Clarinet at Colorado State University.

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How has film music evolved the past 100 years? To answer that, we’re excited to chat with Dan Obluda. He’s an instructor of music at Colorado State University where teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in music history and music theory. One of Dan’s specialties is in film music, he teaches courses on film music at Colorado State University and has an extensive background in film music research. Our upcoming concert will feature Charlie Chaplin's The Gold Rush with the score played by the Fort Collins Symphony!

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Today we’re thrilled to chat with internationally acclaimed marimbist Ji Su Jung, the featured guest artist for our Signature Concert 4: Vibrations from Nature and Tradition on March 7th and 8th. She’ll be performing Kevin Puts’ Marimba Concerto!

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Today, we’re thrilled to chat with pianist Bryan Wallick.

Bryan chats with us about what it takes to balance virtuosity and musical expression as a musician. Bryan also talks about his synesthesia and how it effects his view of music.

Bryan is the guest artist for the Fort Collins Symphony’s Signature Concert 3: Spotlights in Drama and Virtuosity, where he’ll perform Franz Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 2 and Totentanz on Saturday, February 7th at 7:30pm.

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Today, we’re excited to chat with composer Alex LaMotte! Alex LaMotte is the winner of the Fort Collins Symphony’s 2025 Composer Competition. His original orchestral piece, Land of Open Skies, was selected for its vivid orchestration, emotional depth, and evocative storytelling.

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If you’ve peered your eyes to the back of the orchestra, you’ll see all these shiny brass instruments. Well, one of those in particular may stand out the most — it’s shiny, it’s coiled, it has this unmistakable rich and mellow sound.

To help us explore this amazing instrument, we’re joined by one of our very own FCS musicians, french horn player Ayo Derbyshire.

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Today we’re joined by the featured guest artist for our upcoming Signature Concert 2 on Saturday, November 8th, at 7:30pm. She’ll be performing Knoxville: Summer of 1915 by Samuel Barber. We are so excited to welcome soprano Dr. Stefanie Anduri! Stefanie has been teaching voice for over 15 years, performing across three continents, and giving workshops and presentations all around the world.

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