A new music director, the return of a highly popular pianist and one of the most famous pieces of American piano music are just some of the highlights of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic’s New Year’s Eve show on Tuesday and Wednesday. And, of course, there will be balloons. Lots and lots of balloons. The annual New Year’s Eve concert, held at the Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts, features a different theme every year. But each year, the orchestra wraps its performance with “Rhapsody in Blue,” the George Gershwin classic. “People know the concert will finish off with ‘Rhapsody in Blue,’ so that’s something they can all look forward to,” said Nathan Newbrough, CEO of the Philharmonic. This year, newly appointed music director Chloe Dufresne will conduct the concert. The French-born Dufresne was selected after a search of more than two years, from a field of more than 250 applicants from around the globe. “She is a phenomenal artist from the podium,” Newbrough said of Dufresne, who guest-conducted with the Philharmonic in early 2024 before applying for the position. “We’re excited to have her, and we can’t wait to see her put her own spin on this New Year’s Eve tradition.” This year’s concert also marks the return of award-winning pianist Clayton Stephenson, whose 2024 performance blew the audience away, Newbrough said. Stephenson will play the 13-minute “Rhapsody” piece, accompanied by the full Philharmonic orchestra. “It’s rare that we ask a musician to come back so soon,” he said. “But Clayton made such an impact on the audience last year that we asked him to come back.” The New Year’s Eve concert will also feature soprano Hallie Schmidt, an Irish dancer-turned-opera singer who has served as a resident artist with Opera Colorado. “Hallie is a delight on stage, and someone who needs to be heard,” Newbrough said. The concert will wrap up with what organizers believe is the largest single balloon drop in Colorado. As the Philharmonic orchestra plays “Auld Lang Syne,” more than 1,000 balloons will cascade down onto the audience. The crowd’s response never gets old, said production manager Beth Cecere. Audience members revert “to their 10-year-old selves” as more than 1,000 balloons cascade down, said production manager Beth Cecere. (Courtesy of Colorado Springs Philharmonic) “It’s so fun to watch,” Cecere said. “Even with the people who come to the concert every year, and know what’s coming, you can feel the expectation in the air as soon as ‘Auld Lang Syne’ starts. I think everybody reverts to being a kid again — that joy and magic of being covered in balloons and bouncing them around. Everybody kind of reverts to their 10-year-old selves.” Staff members and volunteers spend hours inflating about 3,000 balloons (enough for both shows) before rigging them to the overhead. “It takes work, coordination and some great volunteers,” Cecere said. “Usually the orchestra will play another song after ‘Auld Lang Syne,’ for about 3-4 minutes, while the audience bounces the balloons around, and plays with them, and celebrates.” It’s a fitting way to end a celebratory, family-friendly show, Newbrough said. “(The concert) has gotten so popular that we do it on two different nights,” he said. “We’re proud of this orchestra. We know they can do anything, and they really enjoy putting forth a rip-roaring New Year’s Eve concert for the public.” IF YOU GO What: “New Year’s Eve: Rhapsody in Blue” by the Colorado Springs Philharmonic When: 7:30 p.m., Tuesday-Wednesday Where: Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts, 190 S. Cascade Ave. Price: $143 and up, pikespeakcenter.com ...read more read less