The Colorado Symphony Celebrates Centennial Season

The Colorado Symphony continues to spread classical music to Colorado residents through captivating performances and groundbreaking educational programming, and made an especially significant impression during COVID-19 with community performances and collaborative efforts reaching tens of thousands of students and citizens throughout Colorado.

The orchestra has also taken steps to expand their concert offerings by including rock tribute concerts and popular artists like DeVotchKa and Gregory Alan Isakov – drawing in younger audiences and contributing significantly to its remarkable turnaround.

Founded in 1922

As a non-profit organization, the Symphony relies heavily on the generosity of its donors. Their philanthropy ensures ticket prices remain affordable to keep music accessible regardless of one’s ability to pay.

The Colorado Symphony remains committed to connecting with audiences in meaningful ways that resonate, even as society evolves quickly around them. From its iconic performance at Red Rocks with The Moody Blues in 1992 to GRAMMY-nominated DeVotchKa two years ago – The Colorado Symphony continues its work of reaching new and diverse audiences while remaining known as “The People’s Orchestra”.

Over time, the Symphony grew from its roots as an exclusive social club and debutante cotillion into a leader of American classical music under Marin Alsop’s leadership. She raised its status to new heights and made it one of the most respected orchestras globally.

Celebrating its Centennial Season

Over its century-long existence, The Colorado Symphony has served as an essential cornerstone of orchestral excellence and artistic innovation in Denver‘s vibrant cultural fabric. Now in 2023, this legendary organization will commemorate their Centennial Season with breathtaking performances and life-long memories!

Whether through its collaborations with fellow cultural organizations and sports teams like Cleo Parker Robinson Dance and the Denver Broncos, or education initiatives that reach tens of thousands of Denver youth each year, The Colorado Symphony stands as a testament to music‘s profound effect on society.

This season marks 100 years of musical excellence! To mark its centennial celebrations, the orchestra offers an extraordinary lineup with incredible programming, guest artists like Yo-Yo Ma and Audra McDonald as well as revered works all year. Committed supporters can mark this historic occasion by becoming members of Centennial Society and help ensure its future.

The Orchestra’s Past

When people hear “Colorado Symphony,” their thoughts might drift toward iconic composers seen in textbooks or classrooms. However, in reality the orchestra is inspiring new generations of music lovers through major collaborations and growing audiences through big name talent.

Margaret Hoeppner recalls one of her most impactful moments as a member of the Colorado Symphony not in terms of one performance of Antonin Dvorak’s Cello Concerto, but rather on September 11, 2001: the day before America experienced one of its greatest tragedies and when The Colorado Symphony performed at McNichols Arena to honor those impacted while supporting mourners and helping heal our nation as part of its national healing process.

Over time, The Colorado Symphony endured several management crises that threatened its survival. Finally in 1989, it declared bankruptcy and was reorganized as The Colorado Symphony Association with an innovative collaborative structure still present today – this structure allows musicians a significant voice in governance – making this orchestra unique among full-time professional orchestras nationwide.

The Orchestra’s Future

Since its founding, the orchestra has faced many hurdles as it strives to bring music closer to Colorado residents. From performing alongside Moody Blues at Red Rocks in 1992 and Yo-Yo Ma following 9/11 to unique musical ventures – it has undertaken multiple endeavors as it endeavors to be Colorado’s orchestra.

Organizationally, the Symphony struggled to stabilize finances and build a solid foundation. Over time, two directors (Saul Caston and Vladimir Golschmann) would come and go before Brian Priestman emerged with new energy and vision for its future.

One of his innovative ideas was permitting alcohol at Boettcher Concert Hall for some concerts, a move which has transformed how the orchestra performs while also building new audiences for classical music. Since 2012, artists like Def Leppard, DEVA, Paper Bird and Mandolin Orange have joined them at Symphony Presents performances hosted by this orchestra.