Immediately after moving to the Springs, we enrolled our kids in the Youth Symphony—at first it was one, now it’s all three. Ever since, in early December we pack our violins and cellos and head downtown for their holiday concert. The kids look their finest, dressed up in their symphonic garb. One year I wore a bow tie. Inevitably we find ourselves dashing and darting furtively, apologetically, through the colorful floats that make up the annual Festival of Lights Parade.
The concert ends each year with “Sleigh Ride” as conductors throw candy into the audience. As the song nears its end, a lever is pulled, and glinting artificial snow cascades down over the ensemble. “Look,” I find myself saying to whomever is sitting next to me. But they don’t need to be told. They’re already looking. This is the moment I know the holidays have started, in earnest.
When the Weather Outside Is Frightful
A little indoor music—and more—can help warm the fingers, the toes, the bellies and the souls. Try these favorites.
Madrigal Banquet
Glen Eyrie Castle, various dates Dec. 2-22, gleneyrie.org
Festival of Lessons and Carols
Colorado College Shove Chapel, Dec. 3, coloradocollege.edu
Colorado Springs Chorale’s 31st Annual Deck the Hall Concert
Pikes Peak Center, Dec. 8, pikespeakcenter.com
Flying W Wranglers Holiday Show
Stargazers Theatre, Dec. 9, stargazerstheatre.com
Little London Winds’ Hanukkah Concert
Temple Shalom, Dec. 15, littlelondonwinds.org
Colorado Vocal Arts Ensemble’s Wintersong
Colorado College Shove Chapel, Dec. 15-16, cvae.org
Colorado Springs Philharmonic: Christmas Symphony
Pikes Peak Center, Dec. 17, csphilharmonic.org
—Kirsten Akens
