Bach, bluegrass and barbecue: Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra hosts third Bach to Bluegrass fundraiser

This Friday, the Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra will host its third Bach to Bluegrass fundraiser, raising money for orchestra programming while celebrating genres from classical Baroque by Johann Sebastian Bach to jazz with Sweet Temerity.

“The idea is (for the fundraiser) to be an extension of our approach to music as an orchestra and as a music program itself,” Ross Kribbs, the orchestra’s co-music director and fundraiser organizer, said. “We are always looking to embrace all types of music, not just Bach and Brahms and the traditional classical music, but everything from Mariachi to Tango. There’s a little bit of all of that on our calendar from one concert to the next.”

Kicking off its 15th year, the Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra provides local youth ages 6-18 from Aspen to Rifle with music education opportunities. Annually, the organization gives over 80 students performance opportunities to over 1,900 audience members. Over half of these students use the organization’s need-based scholarships to fund tuition and weekly lessons.

The organization has multiple ensemble levels, and its intermediate and advanced ensembles recently performed at venues including the Harris Concert Hall, Wheeler Opera House and TACAW. 

“We also make sure that all concerts are cost free for everyone. We don’t charge admission in any of our concerts,” Kribbs said. “Those funds will go to covering those costs, as well as reduced price lessons, because part of our model is really that there is this weekly get together, rehearsals for our program orchestras…but then students also have individual lessons with private instructors.”

This year’s Bach to Bluegrass will be similar to a festival — a casual atmosphere complemented by tasty bites and high-quality live music. Held at the Old Thompson Barn in Carbondale, the event will give attendees the opportunity to enjoy a beautiful view of Mt. Sopris and the sunset while relaxing outside on the venue’s lawn and patio. 

Featured performers include Sweet Temerity Jazz, Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra Sidewalk Strings and the Carbondale All-Stars String Band. Guests can enjoy catering from Slow Groovin’ BBQ along with local craft ale. 

The Carbondale All-Stars String Band is a group made up of some of the best musicians in the valley, including Lindsay Bobyak, Larry Gottlieb — who played with John Denver — Natalie Spears and Kribbs. The ensemble will perform a wide array of musical selections, from classical works to creations by modern banjo player Béla Fleck. 

Kribbs is most looking forward to hearing the musical creations of the players who’ve volunteered their skills and time to support the Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra. 

“I know, having played with many of them in many different realms, what can happen when a bunch of really good musicians get together to play a few tunes, even if they haven’t played together for years and years, but all can play these tunes really well,” Kribbs said. “All of these folks are just super, super musicians and super humans. I just can’t say enough about them. I’m really looking forward to hearing them play.”