Longmont Concert Band is Movin’ on Up to the East Side
To a Deluxe Auditorium in NY—Carnegie Hall
Not the Upper East Side, but east of Midtown Manhattan in New York City nonetheless, the Longmont Concert Band is headed to Carnegie Hall next spring, on May 25, instruments in hand and dreams to be fulfilled.
The upcoming performance at Carnegie Hall marks a monumental moment in the group’s 20-plus-year history. Founded in 2003, the Longmont Concert Band has been a large part of Longmont’s music scene, known for its eclectic cast of characters and dedication to community engagement.
The opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall is a dream come true for those in the band, whose hodgepodge of members includes local middle school music teachers, retirees, parents with older teens together in the band, and accomplished amateur musicians—each united by a commitment to musical excellence.
This performance is not only a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Longmont Concert Band but also a significant moment for the city of Longmont.
The one to conduct this orchestration from sugar beet country to the Big Apple is Francisco Borja, the Longmont Concert Band’s artistic director and conductor. Borja, who hails from Plano, Texas, brought with him a rich musical background.
“Music education down there in Texas is really intense,” Borja said. “Marching band is a huge scene… and football is a huge driver of that. Most competitive groups end up spending anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000 a year to compete and travel all over the place.”
“I went to CU for my undergrad in music in 2013, graduated in 2017, and then went back to Texas to teach. I taught there for three years until COVID hit,” Borja shared.
Borja returned to Colorado and earned a master’s degree in 2022, and now currently teaches middle school band at Timberline PK-8 in Longmont.
“When I graduated with my master’s degree, the previous director, Gary Lloyd, was retiring from the band, and they were searching for a new conductor. It just happened by coincidence that my wife overheard the board discussing the search for a new conductor while eating dinner at 300 Suns. She texted me, and as soon as they opened the applications, I was one of the first ones to apply,” Borja recalled.
The Longmont Concert Band itself has a history that began in 2003 as a small ensemble known as the St. Vrain Wind Ensemble.
“It was really small back then, just 15 people or so, and they just got together to do concerts,” Borja explained.
Over the years, the group has grown in both size and reputation, eventually becoming the Longmont Concert Band. Since Borja joined in 2022, the group has grown from around 45 to 75 active members, all of the members are volunteers, and the concerts are always free.
“The vibe has changed over time, and many of the original members have moved away or stopped playing. But it’s incredible to see how much it has grown. The community here is so supportive,” Borja said.
Under his leadership, the Longmont Concert Band has flourished, and its upcoming performance at Carnegie Hall is just one example of its growth and success.
The opportunity to perform in New York stemmed from the Longmont Concert Band’s inspiration to livestream its concerts and share them on YouTube after Longmont High School livestreamed a performance. Carnegie Hall saw their video on YouTube last year, impressed by the music and presentation, the company contacted the band back in July with an invitation for the Longmont Concert Band to play at Carnegie Hall next year.
“This is a huge honor, not just for the band but for the whole Longmont community,” Borja said. “It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come.”
When asked about the differences between the Longmont Concert Band and the Longmont Symphony Orchestra, Borja pointed to the medium. “In the symphony, you have strings and winds, whereas in the Concert Band, it’s only winds. So, there’s no violins, no violas, no cellos,” he explained. Despite the differences in instrumentation, both ensembles share a common goal: “We want to put music out that people will like, that will resonate with an audience, but the way we do it is a little bit different because the sound is different.”
Concert bands and wind ensembles, Borja noted, only emerged in the early 20th century. While symphonies often perform centuries-old pieces, the concert band embraces a more contemporary repertoire.
“[Longmont Concert] Band is really more accepting of newer music,” Borja said. This flexibility allows for unique collaborations, such as a recent performance with the local brass band Guerilla Fanfare. Borja described the experience: “It’s totally different. They play in more informal settings, like bars, while we play in a more formal setting to entertain people. But we were able to fuse the two styles together, and it was a really great concert.”
Although Borja still plays the clarinet from time to time, his primary role is as the band’s conductor. “I mostly conduct now. I don’t play in a band anymore, but I still love playing the clarinet when I can,” he said.
Borja shared his insights on the challenges of conducting compared to being in a band.
“When you’re a player, you only really have to worry about what you’re doing and how… It’s kind of like a game of football where everybody’s passing the ball, but usually everybody catches,” Borja explained. “As the conductor, I’m like the head coach, the offensive coordinator, and the defensive coordinator, where I have to keep everybody going.”
Borja drew a comparison between his role as a middle school band teacher at Timberline and his experience conducting the Longmont Concert Band.
“Working with adults is like you are a passenger and an Uber, you know, like you go here, go there, and then they can take you there,” Borja said. “Teaching kids is like you're building the minivan while you're trying to drive to McDonald’s or whatever.”
The Longmont Concert Band practices every Wednesday at Twin Peaks Classical Academy, located down near South Sunset Street and Boston Avenue.
“It used to be a warehouse, and then St. Vrain [Valley Schools] bought it about 20 years ago and retrofitted it into a school. It’s a very unique space,” Borja said. “You walk in and think, ‘Oh yeah, this is where the cashier would be!’ This is like the loading dock, and their staff room is like a break room you’d see at a store.”
They also played a holiday concert at Twin Peaks Classical Academy on December 14. It was more of a social experience than their usual performances, with local creators selling their art and goods, along with a bake sale. During intermissions, smaller groups made up of band members performed.
“It’s really more of a social concert,” Borja noted. “People can walk around, chat, and enjoy the music in a more casual setting.”
Borja believes this informal approach helps bridge the gap between classical music and a wider audience, particularly those who may find traditional symphony performances intimidating. He explained, “A lot of people aren’t classically trained, and they can find it hard to know what to listen for or where to focus their attention. This concert allows us to break through that barrier.”
The band’s approach to creating a more accessible experience has resonated with the community, as Borja shared that attendance has increased with every performance. “Every concert, we’ve had a bigger audience,” he said. “Our last concert in October had over 200 views when we live-streamed it.”
In addition to its more social concerts, the Longmont Concert Band is diversifying its programming. The upcoming March concert, for example, will focus on movie and video game music, another way to draw in people who may be unfamiliar with traditional classical pieces.
“This season we’ve planned out is really varied. We’ve got everything from holiday music to movie soundtracks,” Borja said. “It’s about bringing new audiences in while still honoring our classical roots.”
When asked about the band’s community engagement, Borja spoke highly of board member Kris Newcomer, who had addressed the city council earlier in December about promotion.
“She’s not a member of the band, she doesn’t play an instrument, but she’s still really invested. She’s very passionate about it,” Borja explained. “It speaks to the impact the band has on the community, even to those who don’t actively participate in music.”
Borja acknowledged the ongoing challenge of getting the word out about the band.
“It’s not necessarily a challenge, but it’s a task we have to keep doing,” Borja said. “Our budget is relatively small, and we subsist off donations and member dues. We don’t charge for concerts, and that’s fine. We’re not out to make a profit, but it does make advertising a little more difficult. Most of our marketing comes from social media and word of mouth.”
In discussing the band’s future, Borja mentioned the need for continued financial support, including a GoFundMe for their trip to Carnegie Hall.
“We want to future-proof the band against anything that might come up. For example, rental fees for playing at the schools have gone up dramatically,” Borja explained. “When I started, it cost about $800 to rent Longmont High’s auditorium. Now, it costs us $1,200. So, we’re always open to donations to help us with that and other expenses, like buying music.”
Reflecting on the band’s success, Borja emphasized the importance of the hard work and dedication of the band members.
“It’s reflective of all these people’s hard work, because as much as a conductor does—big quotation marks—I really don’t do it,” Borja said. “I tell them where to go, I tell them what to listen for. I’m a guide. And they put in all the work. They play all the music, they make it come alive… Their own experiences, their own interpretations, their own influences—it’s really all them. That’s the power of music.”
Borja highlighted the unique and fulfilling nature of the band’s passion for music while also juggling a full-time job and a full-time life.
“Three hours before you’re playing your instrument, you could be staring at a spreadsheet, counting down the minutes until five o’clock,” Borja said. “Or you’re mixing chemicals in a lab, and then two hours later you’re playing an instrument and making music. It’s totally disjointed experiences, but it all adds up to who they are as individuals.”
Borja acknowledged that the band’s commitment is driven purely by passion.
“It’s a passion because they’re not making any money,” Borja said. “Yeah, and that’s the purest form of it—this non-professional, sort of collaboration that happens between these 75 people every Wednesday night. It’s just so special.”
Peter Alexander, the first chair principal clarinet in the Longmont Concert Band, a retiree, has been with the group for 13 years.
“Francisco is the best conductor we’ve had,” Alexander said. “He’s really brought a level of attention to detail and really helped. He’s brought in a lot of new and younger people, being a music teacher.”
Alexander is also excited about the band’s upcoming performance at Carnegie Hall.
“That’s really exciting when you think about the history of that space and that stage, all the great people that have performed there over the years,” Alexander said. “I think having this opportunity and the opportunities which are coming, to perform and travel, representing the band and the city of Longmont, I think that’s made people think more intensely about what they’re doing.”
As the leader of the clarinet section, Alexander discussed some of the challenges that come with the role.
“There are lots of things you can do. Section, you’re just staying in touch with people, engaging with them, and letting them know what’s coming up,” Alexander explained. “I keep track if there are issues in the music that I think everyone in this section needs to be in agreement with, talking about how things might be played and so forth.”
Over the years, the clarinet section has seen many changes, with new members joining and others leaving.
“The people in it have changed a great deal. Some have been here longer than I have, but most of the people in the clarinet section now have joined since I started,” Alexander noted. “Francisco is very serious. He’s worked really hard to get us to this level.”
Andy Brent, a trumpet player with the Longmont Concert Band, who went to Silver Creek High School and graduated from CU Boulder in 2018, had previously played in various college bands, including the CU marching band and CU jazz bands.
“Once I got out of college, I didn’t really have too many people to play with,” Brent said about his decision to join the band.
Brent expressed excitement about the band’s upcoming performance at Carnegie Hall.
“Oh, man, I think it’s fantastic…. It’s just one of the best stages to play on. It’s the one everyone knows. It’s either Philharmonic or Carnegie, so it’s up there. And yes, I’m very excited. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to play.”
Brent also perceived that performing at such a prestigious venue was something he never expected. “No, I didn’t expect that to happen. That’s why this is such a big deal for me,” he said.
Reflecting on the trumpet section in the band, he acknowledged the skill of his fellow players, emphasizing the high level of musicianship.
“I can say a lot of the trumpet players I play with are very good and very skilled. We’re not getting paid, so we’re not doing constant practice and making sure we’re really hitting our marks, but for the trumpet section, we are pretty high, fantastic, professional level,” Brent explained. “Many of us studied music, and played all of our lives. I’ve played trumpet for 17 years, some have played their entire lives, and a lot of it shows. You can’t join this band without having played an instrument or knowing music theory.”
Brent had high praise for Francisco as the band’s director and conductor.
“Francisco is a fantastic director. He picks very good musical choices. A lot of times, the parts can be challenging, which is good. It’s not like I’m just breezing through it without practicing. He understands the music more than I do, which helps a lot,” Brent said. “You’re always going to be learning something new, especially once you’re past high school. People bring different experiences into the band, and it helps you grow as a musician.”
Brent also illuminated the broader appeal of the band: “A lot of people just want to play here. We just want a reason to play. I think a lot of people miss playing in school. It’s harder to get 30 people together to play in an orchestra or a concert band, compared to a rock band. It’s a way of finding people with similar interests in a larger group.”
As the band continues to prepare for its Carnegie Hall debut, Borja’s passion for music and education is evident. He is proud of the band’s accomplishments and eager for what lies ahead. “It’s a great time to be a part of this band,” Borja said. “We’re excited to see where this journey takes us.”
Looking ahead, the Longmont Concert Band is set to premiere new music, including pieces written specifically for the ensemble. Borja shared his enthusiasm, “Right now, someone is writing a piece of music for us that’s never been written before or played before, so we’re going to get to premiere that in May.”
To prepare for Carnegie Hall, the band is holding two more shows: one on March 2, 2025, at Lyons High School, featuring movie and video game music, and another on May 18, 2025, at Vance Brand Auditorium, featuring several guest artists yet to be announced. The Vance Brand concert will also serve as their sendoff celebration for Carnegie Hall.
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