Boulder Symphony Fundraiser raises roof at the Tebo Garage

The Boulder Symphony held its largest fundraiser of the year surrounded by the Stephen Tebo Car Collection at Tebo Garage in southwest Longmont on Friday, Aug. 12. Guests enjoyed food, drinks, and fine music by members of the Symphony, while touring the Tebo collection of rare, historic and unique automobiles.

A Bruce Springsteen autographed guitar was among the many generous donations available for bidding in both silent and auctioneer-led live auctions.

Niwot's Tony Santelli, a Boulder Symphony board member, was among the guests. The Boulder Symphony was originally known as the Niwot Timberline Symphony, but with the addition of Devin Hughes as its conductor and Santelli on its board in 1993, it was reincarnated as the Boulder Symphony.

Getting the Tebo Car Collection for the fundraising venue was a significant achievement. "We are very fortunate to have it, thank our lucky stars, this is a very important fundraiser," Santelli said.

Stephen Tebo, a commercial property owner and developer from Boulder, has been very supportive of communities and non-profit organizations, including the Boulder Symphony. Several fundraisers a year are held in the garage housing his collection. After collecting coins and Western Art, Tebo began collecting cars around 2000. Since then, his collection has grown to almost 350 vehicles, including a number of unique and desirable collectible cars.

Niwot resident Jim Jones, one of a handful of volunteer drivers who maintains the cars in good running condition, gave a tour of the most historic automobiles. Jones explained that the goal is to drive every car once every ninety days.The most valuable and historic cars are driven by the head mechanic. "I've driven the majority of the other cars here," Jones explained. He explained that there is quite a bit of work and documentation involved in every drive.

The Symphony musicians performed in small groups throughout the garage as guests toured the car collection. The event culminated when all of the musicians gathered together and were joined by guest artist, vocalist Carol Calkins, who has performed in a number of chamber groups and many operas.

Boulder Symphony board member Doyle Albee spoke to the gathered guests thanking Tebo for the venue, along with conductor Devin Hughes, Executive Director Andrew Krimm and especially the musicians who performed that evening. "When words fail, music speaks," said Albee.

Krimm explained that this one annual fundraising event can provide funding for the entire concert season. Some smaller fundraisers have taken place in the past, such as tea parties in Niwot. Putting together this event was a large job, Krimm said. "I do all the administration, fundraising, hiring musicians, anything not directly related to making music, although I am a musician," he said."The goal is to raise $30,000. I think we did it."

Krimm described the plans for the first concert of the season. "The first one is September 17th at the 29th Street Mall and it's music from all of Star Wars," he said.