E12: The Fort Collins Symphony for Everyone

Ever wondered if classical music is really just for the elite? Wendy Fanning, the newly appointed Executive Director of Fort Collins Symphony, challenges this widespread misconception in our latest conversation. After stepping into leadership just five weeks ago, Wendy brings fresh energy to Colorado's oldest cultural institution, which has been enriching the community since 1923.

The symphony's 102-year legacy includes five signature concerts annually, two POPs events, and remarkable community initiatives like B-sharp for dementia patients and Open Notes for student education. But what really stands out is Wendy's passion for breaking down barriers. "Classical music isn't just for the ivory tower," she explains, describing how smaller chamber ensembles and creative programming inspired by phenomena like Bridgerton are helping attract younger generations to this timeless art form.

Our conversation takes a personal turn when Wendy shares how losing her sister and father to cancer transformed her outlook on life. "They lived more in their time than most people do in a full lifetime," she reflects, explaining how these experiences taught her to embrace each moment—a philosophy that clearly influences her leadership approach. When not guiding the symphony, Wendy embraces Colorado's outdoor lifestyle through climbing and hiking adventures with her dog.

Whether you're a longtime symphony patron or someone who's never considered attending an orchestral performance, Wendy makes a compelling case for experiencing the remarkable talent on stage. Discover more about upcoming performances and outreach programs at fcsymphony.org or reach out directly to Wendy at [e-mail]—and prepare to have your preconceptions about classical music beautifully challenged.

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
This is the Good Neighbor Podcast, the place
where local businesses andneighbors come together.
Here's your host, Nick George.

Speaker 2 (00:12):
Welcome to the Good Neighbor Podcast.
Are you in need of a meaningfulcharitable organization?
One might be closer than youthink.
Today I have the pleasure ofspeaking with and introducing
your good neighbor Wendy Banning, with Fort Collins Symphony.
Wendy, how's it going?

Speaker 3 (00:29):
Very good, very good.
Thank you, nick.
How are you today?
Good.

Speaker 2 (00:36):
We're excited to have you on the show.
Tell us about your business.

Speaker 3 (01:06):
So the Fort Collins Symphony is the oldest cultural
institution in the city of FortCollins.
We're 102 years old.
We started in 1923.
We are a full orchestra.
We have five signature concertsevery year plus two POPs
concerts.
And then we do other outreachin the community, such as our
B-sharp program, which workswith dementia patients, and then
we also have our Open Notesprogram, which is a student
education program.
Nice.

Speaker 2 (01:20):
How did you get into this organization Nice?

Speaker 3 (01:23):
How did you get into this organization?
So I recently am the newexecutive director, mary Kopko,
who has led this organizationfor the past 10 years.
She's a wonderful, amazingleader, but she is retiring to
be a grandmother, and so I waslucky enough to offer the

(01:46):
position and I accepted, and so,five weeks later, here I am,
and so I'm really excited to bein the community.

Speaker 2 (01:54):
What are some myths or misconceptions in the
performing arts in your industry?

Speaker 3 (02:00):
I think the biggest misconception, especially with
classical music, is that it's inthe ivory tower and that it's
just for elite and an oldergeneration, which could be
farther from the truth.
It's a very accessible art formand can be enjoyed by all ages,

(02:21):
and it really I think itprovides.
When you walk into thatsymphony hall and hear that
beautiful music, it gives you acreative escape for like a
couple of hours, and so I thinkit's.
I think there is thismisconception that classical

(02:42):
music is in the ivory tower andI don't think that could be
farther from the truth.

Speaker 2 (02:48):
Who is your main base of supporters right now and who
would you like to target, andhow are you attracting them now?

Speaker 3 (02:54):
Well, I think that our main base is an older
generation, definitely theboomer generation, but we do
have some generation Xs, I think, that attend our concerts.
I'm a Generation X and I'veloved classical music forever.
I would love to see a youngercrowd, maybe some more
millennials or that wonderfulGeneration Z that my children

(03:18):
are a part of.
I think one of the ways that weare really targeting that is
we're starting a smalleroutreach program with maybe a
smaller chamber ensembles.
And you know, if you look, Iknow Bridgerton.
Bridgerton is a very popular TVshow out there now and if you

(03:50):
listen to that music, it isplayed by classical trained
musicians but they're playingwith different pop songs and
different genres of music andbringing it into that a
different level.
And so we're going to we wantto try to do some smaller events
to really let people know that.
Smaller events to really letpeople know that we are
accessible and that classicalmusic can be enjoyed by all ages

(04:11):
.

Speaker 2 (04:11):
Outside of work, what do you do for fun?

Speaker 3 (04:14):
So that's why I'm so excited to move to Colorado.
I enjoy climbing.
I really love climbing.
I love going hiking with my dog.
I'm an avid reader, so, yeah,it's exciting to be in Colorado
and to be able to have all thesebeautiful climbing gyms in the

(04:34):
Fort Collins area but also haveaccess to some outdoor climbing,
so I'm excited about that.

Speaker 2 (04:41):
Let's switch gears.
Can you describe a hardship ora life challenge that you
overcame and how it made youstronger?
What comes to mind?

Speaker 3 (04:49):
So I I lost my sister and my dad to cancer, and and I
think one of the life lessonsthat I learned from that that is
that it's definitely thequality of life for individuals
and not the quantity.
Both my sister and both my dadthey they lived more of a life

(05:15):
in their, in their time thanmost people do in a full
lifetime, and so it really mademe realize to enjoy every day
and to live in the moment isvery important to me.

Speaker 2 (05:27):
Wendy, tell our listeners one thing they should
remember about Fort CollinsSymphony.

Speaker 3 (05:32):
That we have some amazing talent up on that stage
and that they would be remiss tonot come into that concert hall
and hear that beautiful music.

Speaker 2 (05:46):
How can our listeners learn more about Fort Collins
Symphony?

Speaker 3 (05:49):
So you just need to visit us at our website, which
is fc let me make sure I getthis right fcsymphonyorg, and
you can learn more about ourprogramming.
But you know they can also callthe office.
We would be happy to talk tothem or email me at wfanning at

(06:11):
fcsymphonyorg, and I'd be happyto answer any questions.

Speaker 2 (06:16):
Well, Lindy, I really appreciate you being on our
show.
We wish you and your businessthe best moving forward well,
thank you, it's just been apleasure.

Speaker 1 (06:23):
Thank you so much for including me thank you for
listening to the good neighborpodcast.
To nominate your favorite localbusinesses to be featured on
the show, go tognpfortcollinscom.
That's gnpfortcollinscom, orcall 970-438-0825.