In a remarkable achievement for the Colorado music scene, Tim Gocklin, an adjunct professor of oboe at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, celebrated a Grammy Award win on Sunday. Gocklin’s ensemble, the Akropolis Reed Quintet, along with composer Pascal Le Boeuf, secured the Grammy for Best Instrumental Composition for their piece titled “Strands.” In expressing his excitement, Gocklin mentioned, “I hope it makes you just get up and want to dance,” referring to the lively nature of their music.
When Gocklin heard his group’s name announced during the ceremony at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, he was overwhelmed with emotion. “I was in such absolute shock that my face and my fingers did not stop tingling until about 30 minutes after I got off the stage,” he recounted. He further conveyed his feelings, stating, “We are so thrilled and stupefied and extremely excited for what the future holds,” expressing gratitude for the journey that led them to this moment.
The Grammy win has brought additional confidence to Gocklin, allowing him to approach opera legend Renée Fleming for a selfie following her performance at the event. “She said yes,” he noted, capturing a memorable moment after his historic win.
Following the awards ceremony, the quintet commemorated their achievement with a celebratory dinner. Fortunately for Gocklin, he did not have to return to teach the next day, but he eagerly engaged with his students when he returned on Tuesday. “I hope people listen to this music so that they can see what classical music is now and what it can be,” he shared, highlighting the evolving nature of the genre beyond the works of classical giants like Brahms, Beethoven, and Mozart.
The Akropolis Reed Quintet was established in 2009 by five friends from the University of Michigan, including Gocklin, Kari Landry (clarinet), Matt Landry (saxophone), Andrew Koeppe (bass clarinet), and Ryan Reynolds (bassoon). Gocklin shared their journey, stating, “We began by playing in local venues and established ourselves through success in various competitions and touring the country.” In 2015, they became a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering collaboration, music education, and connecting with emerging musicians.
For their sixth album titled “Are We Dreaming the Same Dream?”, the quintet collaborated with composer Le Boeuf and celebrated drummer Christian Euman. Gocklin explained that the album pays homage to their musical influences, including notable figures like Geri Allen, Dave Brubeck, Charles Mingus, and Leonard Bernstein. Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Jennifer Higdon praised the album as “a musical journey that reveals the deep layers of life experience, and done so in the hands of some real masters of their instruments.”
Gocklin’s journey with the oboe began at the age of 11 in New Hampshire after attending a military band concert. Since then, he has earned accolades, including two wins at the Yale School of Music’s Chamber Music Competition and has performed with renowned artists, such as Yo Yo Ma. Fanfare Magazine highlighted Gocklin’s “extraordinary, remarkably beautiful oboe playing,” attesting to his skill and artistry.
Since moving to Greeley in 2018, Gocklin has been sharing his passion for music with his students. For those unfamiliar, the oboe is a double-reed woodwind instrument that resembles a larger clarinet but lacks a traditional mouthpiece. Instead, it uses two thin pieces of wood that vibrate when air is blown through them. Gocklin elaborated, “The oboe can really pull at a listener’s heartstrings. It has a sound that can really make you feel something in addition to hearing this beautiful sound. It has so many different colors you can explore.”
As someone who grew up in a small town, Gocklin hopes his Grammy win serves as an inspiration for others from similar backgrounds. “I hope it gives them hope and inspiration to follow their passions,” he expressed, underscoring the importance of the arts within communities.
Search For New Executive Director
A search committee has officially initiated the process to find a successor for Deborah Jordy as the executive director of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). This organization allocated $84 million to over 300 nonprofit arts and science entities in the seven-county metro Denver area last year, funded through a voter-approved tax of one cent for every $10 spent. The committee, led by Gino Greco, CEO of the American Red Cross for Colorado and Wyoming, is tasked with selecting a search firm by the end of February. A new director is expected to be appointed before Jordy’s resignation takes effect on June 30. The committee members include former SCFD board representatives Tamra Ward, Patty Salazar, Teresa Valerio Parrot, Jack Finlaw, and Marcela de la Mar. Jordy will transition into a newly established senior adviser role, primarily focusing on the SCFD’s upcoming reauthorization vote in 2028. “These are all people who know this organization well, and they come at it from different experiences so they are going to bring good voices to the process,” Jordy commented, emphasizing the collaborative effort in finding her successor.
Public Celebration for Dan Ritchie
There’s a reminder for the public celebration honoring former Denver Center CEO and University of Denver Chancellor Daniel L. Ritchie, set to occur at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 13, at DU’s Magness Arena, located at 2240 E. Buchtel Blvd. Notable attendees are anticipated to include Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, Governor Jared Polis, Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet, and U.S. Representative Dianna DeGette. A complete remembrance and an essay by sports columnist Mark Kiszla can be found for those interested.
Cultural Caravan Series Launches
Joshua Halpern, a celebrated cellist and Artistic Director of Cultural Caravan, has commenced a new series of ‘concerts and conversations’ with performing artists. The inaugural event took place in the lobby of the Dairy Arts Center on February 5, 2025. Halpern, who founded the nonprofit Cultural Caravan during the pandemic to revitalize cultural and economic activities in Boulder County, aims to showcase world-class artists while providing audiences with insights into their creative processes. Since its founding in 2021, the organization has successfully hosted over 100 events across 60 venues, featuring and compensating numerous artists. Halpern has performed globally as a soloist and chamber musician, and his series seeks to offer unique musical experiences along with opportunities for audience engagement. The next event will feature Venezuelan jazz pianist Victor Mestes, scheduled for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2.
Opera Colorado Season Announcement
Opera Colorado’s upcoming 2025-26 season will showcase two classic operas: “La traviata” and “Madama Butterfly,” premiering in November 2025 and May 2026, respectively. The decision to scale down to just two productions indicates significant financial challenges for the company. This season marks the 20th anniversary of the Ellie Caulkins Opera House and the 10th season for Music Director Ari Pelto. It will also be the first season since the departure of long-time Artistic Director Greg Carpenter. Subscriptions are available for those interested.
Curious Theatre Hosts Samuel D. Hunter
Curious Theatre Company is organizing a public Zoom discussion with esteemed playwright Samuel D. Hunter on February 12 at 6 p.m. Hunter, known for his thought-provoking work “A Case for the Existence of God,” which explores an unlikely friendship between two fathers in Idaho, is currently being staged through February 16 at 1080 Acoma St. Hunter’s previous work, “The Whale,” premiered at the Denver Center Theatre Company in 2012 and won an Oscar for Brendan Fraser. The community is invited to join the conversation by registering for the Zoom link.
