The first line of the email said it all: "As you know, starting this orchestra has been a dream of mine for over 10 years!" It was from a friend and coaching client of mine, Frank Nowell, personally inviting me to his debut concert as conductor and artistic director of the Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado. Frank’s efforts are worth mentioning for a number of reasons:

1. He spent many years with compartmentalized interests and skills–a day job at Lucent and Avaya as manager of technical writers and a weekend gig as a professional musician, playing with baroque chamber groups with his harpsichord. I knew him for many years at Avaya and had no clue as to the depth of his musical talents–university organist at Princeton, masters in choral conducting from University of Colorado, harpsichordist at the Boulder Bach Festival, artistic director of the Handel Festival in Denver. And likewise, his musical buddies had no idea of his talent in managing people and words and technical documents.
2. After leaving Avaya a few years ago, he decided to pursue his musical career full-time. Over the course of the last two years, I’ve had the delight of seeing Frank’s dream unfold, including the shaping of an idea for a professional baroque chamber orchestra into reality. His journey has taught me that with the right support and commitment, dreams can come true.
3. Who Frank is as a person has influenced who has joined the orchestra and what they are creating together. Early in one of our coaching sessions, Frank described himself as "the musician’s musician," someone who works side-by-side with the musicians, as a collaborator and partner. True to form, his debut will be conductor-less. The group will be led with Frank and his harpsichord in the middle of the musicians and a charismatic violinist from San Francisco, Cynthia Miller Freivogel, in the violin section.
4. Innovation can come from anywhere, even in music written hundreds of years ago. Frank’s passion is exposing audiences to the "adventurous spirit of improvisation." He talks about "releasing the dance of baroque music." He sees the possibility of much more interaction with the audience and envisions full engagement instead of passive listening. The relationship with the audience comes about because of the music and it doesn’t end when the concert is over. He encourages the audience to talk with the musicians afterwards to continue the dialogue. In other words, this is not your average symphony gala crowd.
5. Like attracts like. Frank has attracted musicians from around the country, excited about playing period instruments to create a rich experience for audiences. Musicians where this is not just another gig, but a musical event they can throw themselves. Think passion on stage. Think memorable. Think magical.

If you’re in the Denver area and would like to be a part of the debut concert, see details below. If you’re not in the Denver area, tell your friends in Denver. More than attending a concert, it’s about being part of one man’s dream and experiencing magic.

Details on debut of Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado:

• Saturday, November 5 at 7:30 pm at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 1401 East Dry Creek Road in Centennial
• Sunday, November 6 at 7:30 pm at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1600 Grant Street in downtown Denver

The program includes:

Corelli, Concerto Grosso in F Major

Lully, Passacaille from “Armide”

Handel, Concerto Grosso in D Major

Geminiani, La Follia

Vivaldi, Concerto for Flute, Two Violins, and Continuo

Bach, Brandenburg Concerto No. 4

Tickets available at the door–$18 general admission, $15 students and seniors. For more information, call 303-889-1012.