Celebrating 40 years of Music in the Mountains!
Four Decades of Music, Friendship, and Community!
As we look ahead to the start of this year’s 40th Anniversary Festival, we’re also looking back at some of the unforgettable experiences, world-class musicians, dedicated people, and impactful moments that have brought our community together over the last four decades.
From the very first season in 1987, with its five concerts and 11 musicians, to incredible shared moments under the tent at Purgatory Resort, to sweeping orchestral performances at the Community Concert Hall, these four decades have been shaped by the people who support, listen, and believe in the power of music.
For 40 years, we have been proud to enrich Durango through music, education, and community, bringing some of the world’s most acclaimed musicians to Southwest Colorado each year, and sharing the joy of classical music in unique venues around the region year after year. Scroll through the gallery below to look back at some of our favorite photos, moments, and memories from the last 40 years!
Early Orchestra
Misha Semanitzky directing
Bass performers
Dmitry, Oleg, Vadim +2
Founding Conductor Mischa Semanitzky leads the Festival Orchestra as Greg Hustis performs on the alpine horn
Festival musicians outside the iconic white Festival Tent at Purgatory Resort
Walt Dear and Jill Ward
The iconic Music in the Mountains' banner and Festival Tent at Purgatory Resort
Clark and Melanie Palmer
Liz Hogan and Sheryl Kaufman, past and present Board Presidents
Vadim Gluzman & Arkady Fomin
Jill Ward and Gordon Thomas
The first red-and-white striped Festival Tent at Purgatory Resort
Orchestra violinist at Purgatory Resort
Our custom-built mobile stage
Music in the Mountains banner at Purgatory Resort
Concert at the Rochester Hotel
Rainbow at Purgatory Resort
Performance at St. Columba Church
Monie, Beth D and Misha
Jill W, Liz C +2
Karen K, Susan L and Mary Kay
Mary Jane Clark
Pianist at Glacier Club
Outdoor picnic with violinist
The Festival Orchestra performs at Fort Lewis College’s Community Concert Hall under the baton of Guillermo Figueroa • The Festival Orchestra performs at Fort Lewis College’s Community Concert Hall under the baton of Guillermo Figuero
Vadim Gluzman at the Community Concert Hall
Trumpets performing
Vadim Gluzman and Angela Yoffe performing
Philippe Quint
Linda Mack gives a pre-concert lecture
Cello quartet at the Glacier Club
The iconic Festival Tent at Purgatory Resort
St Columba Church
Ginny Brown and Trish
Chris Serwe, Julie, Jill, Natalie
Volunteers prep for another busy season
Festival volunteers at Purgatory Resort
Ranger on horse outside the Festival Tent at Purgatory Resort
The iconic Festival Tent at Purgatory Resort
Pops Night
A Night at the Oscars
Current Executive Director Angie Beach
Walt Dear
Steve and Kim
John & Cissy
Greg Hustis and Steve Parker
Annie Simonson
Vadim Gluzman and Philipe Quint
Mischa Semanitzky
Festival musicians gathered outside the first red-and-white striped Festival Tent at Purgatory Resort
Emmanuelle Boisvert
Guillermo Figueroa
Arkady Fomin, founder of Music in the Mountains Conservatory, directs a performance
Brass quartet in an early house concert
Arkady Fomin, founder of Music in the Mountains Conservatory
Students from Kids with Strings Attached, a program of the former Music in the Mountains Conservatory, • Students from Kids with Strings Attached, a program of the former Music in the Mountains Conservatory, perform in Buckley Park
Students and faculty in sessions at Fort Lewis College
Young performers bring Peter and the Wolf to life at the annual Family Festivo in Rotary Park
Bootjack Ranch
The iconic Music in the Mountains puma outside the Festival Tent
Steve and Jane Short
As we reflect now on these past 40 years, we’re reminded of how far we’ve come, and how much the music has always mattered; and as we look ahead to all that awaits in the years ahead, we’re immensely grateful to everyone who has been a part of this Music in the Mountains community.
Thank you for making Music in the Mountains all that it is!
Help us celebrate our 40th Birthday!