Orchestra students traveled to Denver and Boulder on Sept. 20-21 to see the Colorado Symphony. 

The students get the opportunity to see one symphony orchestra a year, typically out of state. Some of the places they have gone in past years have been Omaha, Oklahoma City and Colorado Springs.  

The Colorado Symphony was located at the Boettcher Concert Hall at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. It was the opening weekend for the performance of the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto featuring Yumi Hwang-Williams.  

The students also had the opportunity to hike and walk in the Chautauqua area of the Flatiron Mountains and visit Pearl St. Mall. 

The Flatiron Mountains had several different difficulty levels for hiking trails, and the Chautauqua Park allowed students to relax or do other activities, such as throwing Frisbees.  

“My favorite part was the hike,” senior Kari Satomi said. “[Junior] Marrissa [Raynesford] really surprised us with how good she was for it being her first time hiking. Also, after the hike was really fun because we just messed around in the grass.”  

After the students were done hiking and spending time in the park, they went to Pearl St. Mall. Pearl St. Mall is a pedestrian mall filled with street performers, like flame jugglers, and a variety of different shops.  

“The trip was exciting, and I loved it,” senior Sarina Williams said. “Since it’s my last year, I think it was worth going to.” 

20maustin@usd489.com