Colorado Symphony Blog

The Colorado Symphony thrives today because of generations of musicians, leaders, donors, patrons, and advocates who believed that symphonic music matters. Few individuals, however, have left as profound and lasting an imprint on this orchestra as Lee Yeingst and Jim Copenhaver.

Though their paths to the Colorado Symphony were very different, their legacies are deeply intertwined. When the Colorado Symphony faced its most uncertain moments, both stepped forward with remarkable dedication and unwavering conviction, helping build an institution that continues to inspire and unite audiences across our state today.

Lee Yeingst devoted 36 years to the orchestra as principal viola, first with the Denver Symphony Orchestra and later with the Colorado Symphony. Born in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, Lee discovered music at an early age and went on to study viola under renowned teacher Max Aronoff before serving in the United States Air Force Strings. In 1960, he accepted the position that would define much of his professional life when he joined the Denver Symphony Orchestra.

For generations of audiences, Lee’s artistry was a hallmark of the Denver and Colorado Symphony experiences. For his colleagues, he was a thoughtful mentor, trusted leader, and generous teacher who inspired countless young musicians throughout his decades-long career.

His greatest contribution, however, may have come during one of the most difficult chapters in the orchestra’s history. Following the bankruptcy of the Denver Symphony in 1989, Lee joined his fellow musicians devoting countless unpaid hours to helping establish what would become the Colorado Symphony, advocating nationally for the musicians’ vision of a collaborative, community-centered orchestra. The innovative governance model they helped create — bringing musicians and community leaders together in stewardship of the organization — has since influenced orchestras across the country.

In recognition of his indispensable role in that transformation, Lee was named an Emeritus Trustee of the Colorado Symphony, remaining the only retired musician in the organization’s history to receive that distinction.

Just as Lee helped build the artistic foundation of the Colorado Symphony, Jim Copenhaver helped establish and preserve its organizational foundation throughout multiple defining moments in its history.

Born in Farmington, Minnesota, Jim enjoyed a distinguished career with Honeywell before dedicating his considerable talents to the nonprofit arts after moving to Denver in 1982. His expertise in finance, strategic planning, and organizational leadership would prove invaluable during some of the Colorado Symphony’s most consequential moments.

In 1990, Jim was recruited to serve as Executive Director of the newly formed Colorado Symphony. What began as a six-month engagement ultimately became four years of transformative leadership as he worked alongside musicians, trustees, donors, and community leaders to establish the young organization’s financial and operational foundation. By 1992, the Colorado Symphony had achieved a balanced budget and was emerging as one of the nation’s most promising orchestras.

His service to the orchestra did not end there. For decades, Jim remained one of the Colorado Symphony’s most trusted advisors, returning whenever his leadership was needed. Most notably, he served as Interim President and Chief Executive Officer in 2011, helping guide the organization through another period of significant financial challenges with the same humility, integrity, and careful stewardship that defined his career.