Aug 27 — Joey Levy: Colorado Springs Philharmonic's Center for Future Audiences (also includes the member high school round robin)

Aug 27, 2026 — Joey Levy: Colorado Springs Philharmonic's Center for Future Audiences

Bulletin for August 27, 2026

Featured Speaker: Joey Levy

Director, Center for Future Audiences — Colorado Springs Philharmonic

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OPENING

Benny led the group in prayer and Dick led the Pledge of Allegiance.

"I humbly serve as guardian to my fellow Americans, always ready to defend those who are unable to defend themselves."

— Edward Byers, U.S. Navy, Medal of Honor

CLUB BUSINESS

• Field Trip to Lahjavida: Following Lyle Small's inspiring presentation, the club is organizing a tour of the Lahjavida cancer research facility. The date is Tuesday, September 15, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Seven members signed up; additional interest is welcome.

• Christmas Party: The annual Christmas party will be held Thursday, December 10 at 6:00 p.m. at Patty Jewett's. Gluten-free and dairy-free menu options will be available. There will be no regular club meeting that day.

• "White Christmas" at the Fine Arts Center: Members are invited to attend Irving Berlin's White Christmas on Friday, December 18 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets must be purchased individually (FAC members receive a discount). Wine and hors d'oeuvres will be arranged beforehand. Tickets available at fac.coloradocollege.edu or by calling 719-634-5583.

• Member Recognition: Larry Gaddis was honored with the Legal Services Award from the Legal Aid Foundation for his extensive support of legal aid programs throughout Colorado. Congratulations, Larry.

• Board Grants: The board approved two grants — one to "Protein for Health," which processes 4-H steers to provide meat for the Springs Rescue Mission, and one to the Rocky Mountain Ninjas Special Olympics program.

MEMBER ROUND ROBIN: HIGH SCHOOL STORIES

Members shared memorable moments from their high school years:

• Barbara was voted best lips; Larry was voted best legs.

• Jeff served five years as the public address announcer for the Colorado College Tigers hockey team.

• Eric's school had a vibrant theater program — 650 of 1,200 students auditioned for productions like West Side Story and Fiddler on the Roof.

• Heidi was voted "Most Likely to Be a Celebrity."

• Marti learned to juggle with her beer-league tennis team.

• Dana played a lawyer in two separate productions: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Arcton.

• Kevin studied abroad as an exchange student in Norway and later hosted his Norwegian counterpart.

• Bob Lucia competed in forensics with a performance of Poe's "The Tell-Tale Heart" and earned all-state honors as a second baseman in AAA league baseball.

• Mark Ellott has bowled two perfect 300 games.

• John's Navy fast-pitch softball team won the District of Columbia championship.

• Mike Cimeno attended an all-boys Catholic school and joined musicals like Flower Drum Song — to meet girls.

KEYNOTE: JOEY LEVY — COLORADO SPRINGS PHILHARMONIC'S CENTER FOR FUTURE AUDIENCES

Joey Levy is the Director of the Center for Future Audiences (CFA) at the Colorado Springs Philharmonic — celebrating its 100th anniversary season as the area's oldest continuous arts organization. Joey teaches acting at UCCS, directs local productions, runs summer camps at Green Box Arts, and serves on the boards of TheaterWorks and Think 360.

Three Pillars of the Center for Future Audiences

Creative Discovery: Focused on introducing music to new audiences, particularly children in grades K–2. Programs like symphony story times in classrooms are designed to capitalize on early neuroplasticity. Research shows arts exposure boosts academic achievement, with participants graduating at rates 17 points higher than peers.

Amateur Artistry: Deepening engagement for existing music lovers through all-district choir concerts and master classes led by visiting guest artists — offered at no extra cost to local students.

Artistic Ventures: Large-scale collaborative productions such as Madam Butterfly, partnering with the Japan-America Society and local colleges to provide richer cultural and artistic context.

Accessibility and Impact

Joey highlighted the Philharmonic's "Free for Kids" program, offering free tickets to children ages 7–17 with a paid adult, and a new initiative for high school ticket access. A grant from the Lane Foundation subsidizes student concert tickets, requiring schools to pay only 10% of the cost. The CFA uses a "genius" impact measurement system — a weighted index capturing both the breadth (number of participants) and depth (level of impact) of its programs.

Member John shared a personal story: his small Iowa high school orchestra was the only high school group invited to perform at a National Music Teachers Association convention in Kansas City. He still plays French horn in the local New Horizons symphonic band, which has nine ensembles. Upcoming concert: Sunday, November 1 at 4:00 p.m. at the Ent Center.

CONCLUSION

Two quotes from Plato close this bulletin — a fitting tribute to the evening's theme:

"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything."

"Music training is a more potent instrument than any other, because rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul."

— Plato

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