Important Info
The Boulder Concert Band celebrated another exciting season of music under the guidance of our wonderful Musical Director and Conductor, Mr. Jon Borodach, with Jennifer L. Grice, Assistant Conductor. We have just finished our Pops in the Parks series, and are grateful to everyone who joined us one time or every week! We wish Dr. Jenny Grice all the best as she and her husband begin a new chapter in Texas!
See our upcoming Symphonic Season schedule.
The Boulder Concert Band mourns the passing of former Director Dr. Ken Singleton, who directed the band from 2019 to 2023. He also taught and mentored several band members when they were students at UNC-Greeley. Doc’s GoFundMe campaign is still live; please donate if you are able. This is not a donation to the Boulder Concert Band, but an opportunity to support the family of a member of the Boulder Concert Band community. Dr. Singleton’s obituary is below.
Dr. Ken Singleton, University of Northern Colorado Director of Bands Emeritus, Dies Peacefully
The music education community is mourning the loss of Dr. Kenneth “Ken” Singleton, affectionately known as “Doc,” whose passing has left colleagues, former students, friends, and fellow musicians reflecting on a lifetime devoted to the advancement of instrumental music. Dr. Singleton, who was closely associated with the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, Colorado, passed away peacefully on the evening of his death while listening to one of his favorite wind band compositions, James Barnes’ Symphony No. 3 (Movement 3). While an official cause of death has not been publicly disclosed, reports indicate that he died peacefully surrounded by music he deeply cherished.
Dr. Singleton served as Director of Bands, Emeritus, at the University of Northern Colorado, where he influenced generations of musicians through his leadership, mentorship, and unwavering commitment to excellence. Throughout his distinguished career, he earned widespread respect as a conductor, arranger, transcriber, educator, and advocate for wind ensemble performance. His arrangements of operatic works for wind ensemble became especially admired, and his performances inspired countless audiences and performers alike.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, those who knew Dr. Singleton remember him for his kindness, humility, and willingness to mentor younger faculty members and aspiring conductors. Former colleagues have shared heartfelt tributes describing him as a generous friend whose guidance extended well beyond the rehearsal hall. Even after retiring, he continued to demonstrate the importance of balancing professional dedication with the simple joy of living life to its fullest, a lesson many say remains one of his greatest legacies.
Dr. Singleton is survived by his beloved wife, Elizabeth “Sam” Singleton, and his brother, Bill Singleton, along with countless former students, colleagues, and friends whose lives he touched throughout his remarkable career. Plans for a memorial service are expected to be announced by the family at a later date. As the music community mourns his passing, many continue to celebrate the extraordinary legacy of a man whose passion for music and education will resonate for generations to come.
Obituary from littlehomesobits.homes
Remembering George Coffee, M.D.
George Coffee, long-time member of the Boulder Concert Band clarinet section, passed away peacefully on June 12, 2026, at the age of 87.
Born in Montreal, Canada, in 1938, George lived a life shaped by music, mountains, medicine, and an enduring curiosity about the world around him.
George’s love of music began at East High School in Denver and remained one of the defining threads of his life. As a young clarinetist, he earned a fellowship at the Aspen Music Festival and recognition from Benny Goodman. He attended Wesleyan University on a wrestling scholarship before continuing his musical studies at Oberlin on a music scholarship. He joined the Boulder Concert Band in 1978, performing on and off with the ensemble for decades and continuing to play until just a few months before his death.
A mountaineer through and through, George skied the Haute Route with a French team in the late 1960s. Throughout much of his life, he ventured solo into Colorado’s backcountry on skis and on foot. The mountains were one of his greatest loves, and part of his legacy is the sense of belonging in wild places that he passed on to his daughters and grandsons.
George earned his medical degree from the University of Colorado, followed by residency and fellowship training at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Even as a medical student, he sought opportunities to explore. In 1963, he traveled around the world, including a fellowship in India at the Communicable Diseases Hospital in Madras, where he contributed to research as part of the global campaign to eradicate smallpox. He also served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. He built a long career as a psychiatrist and at one point chaired the psychiatry department at Boulder Community Hospital.
He was a dedicated member of several book groups and an enthusiastic naturalist whose restless curiosity took him from Papua New Guinea to Utqiagvik, Alaska. Closer to home, he led a group on his assigned tract of Boulder County for the raptor survey for more than 30 years.
George was a devoted husband to Linnea “Lee” Coffee, who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his mother, Ida Coffee; his father, Harry Rusofsky; his adoptive father, Charles Coffee; and his siblings, Thelma, Stewart, and Melvin. He was a proud father to Joyce Coffee (Chuck) and Nancy Coffee (Ross), and grandfather to Andrew Lundgren and Paxton Silver.
Whether discussing literature, identifying a bird, playing his clarinet, or sharing a conversation surrounded by newspapers at the breakfast table, George approached life with energy, intellect, and wonder. That spirit remains one of the most enduring gifts he leaves to those who loved him.
Because George’s circle of friends extended across so many years and communities, the family would be grateful to hear from anyone who wishes to receive information about the gathering.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Boulder Concert Band.
A Nationally Award-Winning Band
Great News!
We are thrilled to announce that your Boulder Concert Band has been selected as a national finalist in The American Prize: celebrating American excellence in the arts Band/Wind Ensemble Performance – community division, 2026. We submitted To You, America! by William Grant Still, under the direction of Jon Borodach. We are in esteemed company. Following is a list of the other finalists: All-America Concert Band (IA), Mysticbrass (MA), South Jersey Area Wind Ensemble, Eastern Washington Wind Symphony, Fairmont State Community Symphonic Band (WV), Wichita Wind Symphony, Arizona Winds Concert Band, the Coyote Bassoon Ensemble (AZ), and our friends in the Allentown Band (PA). We should know the final results for this year’s competition in a couple of months.
In 2025, we earned second place with The Wichita Wind Symphony winning first, and The Arizona Winds taking third. In 2020, we were awarded first place, and we earned third in 2021. In 2022, 2023, and 2024, the Boulder Concert Band was selected as a finalist.
The American Prize is designed to evaluate, recognize and reward the best performers, ensembles, composers, directors and administrators in the United States.
Community Band Festival
On March 8, 2025, we joined several local bands at the Colorado Community Band Festival held at the King Center at Metro State University in Denver. Sponsored by the Thornton Community Band, the all-day event featured six community bands: John Philip Sousa Band of Colorado; VFW Band of Colorado; Boulder Concert Band; Thornton Community Band; Highlands Ranch Concert Band; and Rocky Mountain Pride Band.
Enjoy our performance of “To You, America!” by William Grant Still; “Adoration” by Florence Beatrice Price; and “Vigils Keep” by Julie Giroux:
Our Musical Director and Conductor, Jon Borodach
Jon Borodach has enjoyed a diverse career as a conductor, instrumentalist, arranger and educator in professional, community and educational settings for over thirty years. Mr. Borodach has served as Conductor and Music Director of the Boulder Concert Band since 2023; under his leadership the Boulder Concert Band has been consistently recognized as a finalist for the American Prize, as well as earning Second-Place honors in 2025. Mr. Borodach has distinguished himself for crafting relevant, artistically-engaging and community-focused concert programs. Since relocating to Colorado in 2008, Mr. Borodach has taught music at the Eagle Rock School and Professional Development Center in Estes Park, in the Poudre School District and at the University of Northern Colorado.
Born and raised in Southern California, Mr. Borodach was the Director of bands at Mount Miguel High School in Spring Valley, CA and at Grossmont High School in La Mesa, California. Mr. Borodach was active as an adjudicator and clinician for the Southern California School Band Orchestra Association and was a sought-after master teacher for music education students from Point Loma Nazarene University and San Diego State University. In addition to his work in education, Mr. Borodach has extensive musical theatre experience as a conductor and pit musician working with multiple theater companies in the San Diego area. Mr. Borodach holds Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from San Diego State University and has completed coursework toward the Doctor of Arts degree at the University of Northern Colorado where he studied with Dr. Kenneth Singleton, Dr. Richard Mayne and Dr. Wesley Broadnax. When not making music, Jon enjoys gardening and spending time with his family.
Our Board of Directors
L to R (back): Jon Borodach (Director), Tim Hughes, Stephen Bray, Ross McComb, Heather Sotiros;
(front) Marilyn Weston Kroner, Sheri A. VandeRiet, Barbara Munin.
Photo by Barry Kroner, 2026
Bernard Buster, President (retired)
Marilyn Weston Kroner, Vice President and Email Wrangler
Sheri A. VandeRiet, Secretary and Webmaster
Stephen Bray, Treasurer
Directors At-Large:
Tim Hughes
Ross McComb
Barbara Munin
Heather Sotiros
We Are So Grateful
Our concerts would not take place if it were not for the many generous people who volunteer their time.
Many thanks to:
♥ Marilyn Kroner for getting the word out to the community about our upcoming events, and for coordinating our volunteers.
♥ Barbara Christopher, Music Librarian, for managing and organizing all our folders and music so efficiently.
♥ Aaron Jordan and Sheri A. VandeRiet for designing and maintaining our website.
♥ Stephanie Morse for poster designs.
♥ Faith Gowan for our concert-schedule bookmarks.
♥ Heather Sotiros for organizing our summer concert schedule, including the Memorial Weekend Remembrance Concert and the Sweet Cow MooMobile.
♥ Marilyn Kroner for contributing program and website content.
♥ Mary Malley for designing a Stage Plot to help us with setup.
♥ Mike Taylor, Bernard Buster and Stephen Bray for acting as Stage Managers.
♥ Beth Ornstein and Adam Ornstein for faithfully rounding up the chairs after every rehearsal as well as after our concerts.
♥ Sheri A. VandeRiet for season program and concert program and poster design, and for setting up concert tickets.
♥ The Boulder Concert Band Members for providing refreshments at Intermission for each concert.
♥ Peter Gowan for his many years of dedication to the Boulder Concert Band, both in the Tuba section and on the Board.
♥ Lyn Mead, for expanding our knowledge of the history of the Boulder Concert Band.
♥ Andrew Snyder, for compiling and submitting our annual ascap/bmi report to acb.
♥ Andy Schwartz of Soaring Light Images wonderful photos of the Boulder Concert Band.
♥ Don Puscher for standing in as band photographer when Andy is unavailable.
♥ Peter Ingram, for taking on the daunting task of ”band van manager.“
♥ Mike Taylor, for coordinating Stage Setup.
Acknowledgments:
Michael Quam, Quam Audio, for concert recording.
Mason Design, for our new logo and brand identity redesign.
The Publishing House, for printing our beautiful Season Programs.
Thanks to the staffs of Mountain View United Methodist Church and of Rocky Mountain Christian Church for their support.
Join the Band!
The Boulder Concert Band is seeking to assemble a roster of skilled and enthusiastic musicians to fill vacant positions within our ensemble. We rehearse on Monday evenings, September through May, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Gunbarrel Baptist Church, 7493 Old Mill Trail, Boulder, CO 80301.
Auditioning for the Band
New members can join the band following an audition, provided there are openings within a section. If you would like to audition for the band, email us and let us know! Prospective new members are invited to participate in a rehearsal before making a final decision to join. A brief audition with the section principal will be held at a subsequent rehearsal. Has it been a while since you have played? Consider starting out during our Pops in the Parks summer session, which is still challenging but has a more relaxed atmosphere.
Membership in the Band
Members of the Boulder Concert Band are drawn from the community at large. To be a member in good standing one must be at least 18 years of age (unless approved by the conductor and the board). There are three types of membership:
Active - Dues-paying members in good standing, who attend a majority of the rehearsals and performances during a concert season. Active members may hold office, serve on committees and take an active part in all business and social affairs of the Boulder Concert Band.
Inactive - Members who, for personal or professional reasons, do not meet at least one of the two criteria for being an active member. Inactive members may not be able to participate in the activities and membership of the Boulder Concert Band.
Honorary - Members who are non-dues-paying personnel who are generally recognized as outstanding in their field, or have performed an outstanding service for the Boulder Concert Band. It is not necessary for an honorary member to possess any qualifications as a musician.