“I’ve never seen audiences so appreciative as those who attended the Heartland Symphony’s fall concert with guest artist Diane Tribitt.
Many, many people were sincerely touched by her authenticity and her natural ability to engage an audience. She made them laugh and she made them cry, literally! During her final poem, A Tribute to the Cowboy set to the music of Amazing Grace, even the orchestra was losing its composure, with several of the players in tears. What is so wonderful about her art is that it is based on her real life experiences as a cowboy/rancher. It is not snobbish nor intellectual, but is perfect in its childlike simplicity, colorful expressions, and humorous irony.  Not only did she bring her poetry to the concert but also two very accomplished trick ropers/dancers, who also fit in perfectly. The concert was so successful that I’m afraid the bar has been set too high for our future events. Players and audience members alike will always think of the “cowboy poetry” concert as the standard by which all other concerts should be measured. It was just that entertaining. My feeling is that there is a great need in the fine arts for fresh new ideas, especially when it comes to symphony orchestras. This concert brought new life to an otherwise dated tradition, and in so doing helped validate the belief that all true art, whether old or new, is timeless in its nature. For the people of central Minnesota, Diane’s poems have earned a place among the great classics of our western tradition. Hats off to Ms. Tribitt for a truly wonderful show."

Sincerely,
Dr. Daniel O’Bryant
Music Director, Heartland Symphony Orchestra
Director of Orchestras, St. Cloud State University