Colorado Symphony

Colorado Symphony is a major American orchestra based in Denver, Colorado. Founded in 1989 following the dissolution of the Denver Symphony Orchestra, it has established itself as a cornerstone of the cultural landscape in the Rocky Mountains region. The orchestra presents a wide repertoire from the classical canon to contemporary works and innovative pops programs, performing for over 200,000 attendees annually. It is the resident orchestra of Boettcher Concert Hall within the Denver Performing Arts Complex.

History

The ensemble's immediate predecessor, the Denver Symphony Orchestra, which traced its roots to the early 20th century, ceased operations in 1989 due to financial difficulties. A new organization, initially named the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, was formed later that year by a coalition of musicians, community leaders, and business figures, including prominent Denver philanthropist Florence K. Sabin. Its inaugural season commenced in the fall of 1989 under the baton of music director Gaetano Delogu. A pivotal moment in its financial stabilization came with a major gift from the Boettcher Foundation, securing the naming rights to its home venue. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, under the leadership of music directors like Marin Alsop and Jeffrey Kahane, the orchestra expanded its artistic profile and educational outreach. It has collaborated with renowned artists such as Isaac Stern, Yo-Yo Ma, and Lang Lang, and has performed at notable events including the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

Organization and leadership

The orchestra operates as a self-governed cooperative, a structure where the musicians hold significant managerial and artistic input. It is governed by a board of trustees, which works in partnership with the musicians' committee and executive administration. The artistic leadership is headed by the music director, a position held since 2023 by conductor Peter Oundjian, who succeeded Brett Mitchell. The principal pops conductor is Christopher Dragon. Key administrative leadership has included presidents and CEOs such as Jerome H. Kern and Gary L. McDaniel. The organization relies on a mix of earned revenue, philanthropic support from entities like the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, and corporate partnerships with companies such as United Airlines and Kaiser Permanente.

Performance venues

The primary home of the orchestra is Boettcher Concert Hall, a distinctive in-the-round venue located within the Denver Performing Arts Complex. It also regularly performs in other venues across the state, including the Macky Auditorium in Boulder and the Pikes Peak Center in Colorado Springs. For summer concerts, the orchestra often performs at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, an iconic open-air venue in Morrison, Colorado. It also presents community concerts in locations like the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities and has undertaken performance tours to other major halls in the Western United States.

Artistic programs and community engagement

The orchestra's season includes classical series, pops concerts, family programs, and presentations of film scores live to picture. It has a strong commitment to performing works by American composers, including Jennifer Higdon, John Adams, and Joan Tower. The Colorado Symphony Chorus, prepared by chorus director Duain Wolfe, regularly joins for major choral works. Its education and community engagement initiatives are extensive, featuring the Young Composers Project, school concerts serving districts like Denver Public Schools, and sensory-friendly concerts. The innovative "Inside the Score" series and partnerships with organizations like Colorado Ballet and Opera Colorado further deepen its community integration.

Recordings and media

The orchestra has released several commercial recordings, including albums of works by Aaron Copland and Samuel Barber under the direction of Marin Alsop on the Naxos Records label. It has also recorded film music for live-to-picture concerts, contributing to productions associated with Disney and Warner Bros.. Broadcasts of its performances have been aired on Colorado Public Radio and nationally via American Public Media's *Performance Today*. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it produced a series of digital concerts, expanding its reach through platforms like YouTube and Facebook.

Category:Musical groups from Denver Category:American symphony orchestras Category:Performing arts organizations based in Colorado