Mike Kern has worn a lot of hats since he moved to Ouray in 1979.

He’s about to hang up the latest of those hats – or a baton, rather – when he steps down from conducting the Valley Symphony Orchestra this month.

Directing the community symphony for more than 27 years has been a fulfilling but demanding job for Kern, who locals will remember from his previous job directing Ouray School’s student band.

The final concerts of the symphony’s jubilee season, held April 23 and 24, w...