COmpass REsonance (CORE) is Colorado’s virtuoso string band, celebrated for its ability to seamlessly traverse centuries of music and deliver truly unmatched performances. With roots as the resident baroque orchestra of the Boulder Bach Festival, CORE has evolved into a dynamic recording and performing ensemble, embracing projects that span from ancient manuscripts to contemporary commissions.
From the evocative landscapes of Icelandic contemporary music to the timeless genius of Bach, CORE thrives on diverse musical explorations.
COmpass REsonance navigates the vast waters of music history, blending historical performance with modern innovation. Whether performing on period instruments or electrified strings, CORE's approach brings fresh vitality to 500 years of music. Imagine one band that bridges ancient manuscripts and 21st-century compositions—a time-traveling experience that connects the past, present, and future in a single evening.
With a commitment to innovation, COmpass REsonance ventures further into video and dance collaborations, creating immersive performances that engage all the senses. By reimagining the concert experience, CORE invites audiences to explore music as a living, breathing art form that transcends boundaries.
COmpass REsonance is not just a string ensemble—it’s a movement redefining how we experience the universal language of music.
"BBF...sets the standard for artistic excellence and superb taste in the community." -Daily Camera
"noble … revelatory … an overwhelming experience"
-Daily Camera
"The intonation among the singers and the orchestral
players was exquisite, lending a clarity and transparency
to Bach's counterpoint that is only rarely achieved.
In its accumulated impact, this may have been the most
complete realization of the B-minor Mass I have heard." -Sharps and Flatirons
"Creative, provocative, and sensational … It is this kind
of creative rethinking that keeps the great masterpieces alive in our times."
-Sharps and Flatirons
"Sophisticated. Magnificent."
-The Denver Post
To enrich lives with performances of music from across time and cultures, and to create distinct learning opportunities for musicians and audiences.
Boulder Bach Festival (BBF) began in 1981, celebrating the life and music of J.S. Bach. Since that first season, BBF has evolved from a weekend of concerts to a full season of diverse concert programs, an array of free outreach activities, lecture presentations, in-school events, and collaborative events at a variety of venues in Boulder, Denver, Longmont, Broomfield and elsewhere on the Front Range. In January 2025, the organization rebranded and fully transitioned to COmpass REsonance, while Boulder Bach Festival remains one of its programs.
Unique among Colorado's performing arts organizations and worldwide, CORE ensemble navigates the waters of music history with the music of J.S. Bach as a compass. In addition to presenting internationally-acclaimed soloists in collaboration with CORE artists in extraordinary performances of baroque music, recent seasons have also featured new work by living composers alongside resurrected music of forgotten composers—across time and cultures. This dialogue expands our mission such that Bach-in-context is part of a larger vision, an inclusive musical celebration that examines history, literature, and instrumental/vocal technical/stylistic developments, looking from Bach to centuries earlier, and from Bach to the present day.
CORE has a zero-debt history and is driven and monitored by a strategic plan that reflects the commitment and interests of its stakeholders. It is a six-member, mission-driven board that is focused on the strategic plan, updated every three years.
Organization name
COmpass REsonance & Boulder Bach Festival
other names
COmpass REsonance & BBF
1981
Tax id (EIN)
84-0861185
Category
Arts, Culture & Humanities
Organization Size
Medium Organization
Address
1434 Spruce St. Suite 100Other
Post Office Box 1896Boulder County, CO, US