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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — It's not unusual for an orchestra to occasionally dedicate an evening to rock and roll. What is unique, is for a community to have a professional rock and roll orchestra with a complete season of concerts, director Calvin Hofer said.
Grand Junction Rockestra will perform Saturday, Jan. 21, at Robinson Theatre in the Moss Performing Arts Center at Colorado Mesa University.
Hofer, who also heads the CMU Music Department, formed GJ Rockestra after viewing a rock and roll orchestra from Sioux City, Iowa.
“It's a rock and roll band surrounded by an orchestra,” Hofer said. “I thought this would go over big in Grand Junction, and it has.”
The group has held two concerts, one in June, attended by 350 people, and another in August, with an audience of 550.
Hofer sought out local guitarist Scott Davis, bass guitarist Scot Bingham, keyboardist Doug Morrow, and Darin Kamstra on drums to comprise the rock band portion of the group.
When Hofer held auditions for the group's vocalists, 32 singers showed up.
The five vocalists are Miss Emily, Katie Walters, Rich Lyon, Liz Siegrist, and Toni Lombardi.
The orchestra is comprised of members from the Grand Junction Symphony and the Western Colorado Jazz Orchestra, including eight violins, three cellos, two violas, two saxophones, two clarinets, two flutes, four trumpets, three trombones, and four French horns.
Saturday's set list includes “At last” by Etta James, “Black Water” by the Doobie Brothers, and “Free Fallin” by Tom Petty.
“We're probably the only rockestra west of the Missouri River,” Hofer said.
Tickets for the reserved seating are available at the Grand Junction Symphony office, in the Alpine Bank Building, 225 N. Fifth St., or online at www.gjsymphony.org or by calling 243-6787.
Grand Junction Harley-Davidison is a co-sponsor of the concert.
Grand Junction Rockestra will perform Saturday, Jan. 21, at Robinson Theatre in the Moss Performing Arts Center at Colorado Mesa University.
Hofer, who also heads the CMU Music Department, formed GJ Rockestra after viewing a rock and roll orchestra from Sioux City, Iowa.
“It's a rock and roll band surrounded by an orchestra,” Hofer said. “I thought this would go over big in Grand Junction, and it has.”
The group has held two concerts, one in June, attended by 350 people, and another in August, with an audience of 550.
Hofer sought out local guitarist Scott Davis, bass guitarist Scot Bingham, keyboardist Doug Morrow, and Darin Kamstra on drums to comprise the rock band portion of the group.
When Hofer held auditions for the group's vocalists, 32 singers showed up.
The five vocalists are Miss Emily, Katie Walters, Rich Lyon, Liz Siegrist, and Toni Lombardi.
The orchestra is comprised of members from the Grand Junction Symphony and the Western Colorado Jazz Orchestra, including eight violins, three cellos, two violas, two saxophones, two clarinets, two flutes, four trumpets, three trombones, and four French horns.
Saturday's set list includes “At last” by Etta James, “Black Water” by the Doobie Brothers, and “Free Fallin” by Tom Petty.
“We're probably the only rockestra west of the Missouri River,” Hofer said.
Tickets for the reserved seating are available at the Grand Junction Symphony office, in the Alpine Bank Building, 225 N. Fifth St., or online at www.gjsymphony.org or by calling 243-6787.
Grand Junction Harley-Davidison is a co-sponsor of the concert.
GJ ROCKESTRA 2012 SEASON
Jan. 21 — Robinson TheatreMay 19 — Robinson Theatre
Aug. 18 — CMU Quad (outdoor concert)
Oct. 20 — CMU Ballroom
Season tickets available for $80-$90 at gjsymphony.org.
