On February 2, 2002, the Olympic Torch passed through Aspen on its journey to Salt Lake City. I was privileged to help coordinate the closing musical segment of the ceremony to welcome the torch and to honor present and past Olympians. The ceremonies, conducted in front of the Wheeler Opera House and attended by over 3,000 people, included a mini-concert by the U.S. Air Force Academy Band and a special musical performance by The Olympic Torch Choir, conducted by my good friend, Bob Finnie.

Seventy seven musicians and singers donated a lot of hours to make The Olympic Torch Choir a reality. We are blessed in the Roaring Fork Valley with an incredible group of talented people. Rehearsals were a unique experience, to say the least.
Dan Sadowsky, T. Ray Becker, Twirp, Steve Johnson and Tom Paxton	Chris Bank, Bill Parish, Randy Utterback and Me (keeping things light)
Skull Session - Me, Bob Finnie, Chris Goplerud and Chris Bank
Bob Finnie conducts the combined band and choir

Photo courtesy of Cindy Johnson	Photo courtesy of Cindy Johnson
Chris Keleher of the Aspen Torch relay team lights The Olympic Cauldron

Photo courtesy of Cindy Johnson

The ceremony and torch were blessed by a Native American ceremony.

Photo courtesy of Cindy Johnson

Former and current Olympians from the Roaring Fork valley were honored.

Photo courtesy of Sandy Munro

After all the hard work, the choir actually made it to the stage!!

Photo courtesy of Cindy Johnson

A small part of the band and the choir on stage.