In the heart of Denver, the Colorado Symphony is redefining what it means to be a civic orchestra. Beyond the stage and far from the traditional expectations of classical music institutions, the Symphony has become a force for cultural inclusion, education, and equity, bringing music into the lives of thousands who may have once felt left out of the concert hall.
Music Without Barriers
Since 2014, the Symphony’s Community Ticket Initiative (CTI) has distributed more than 36,000 tickets at no cost to underserved groups, including students, seniors, veterans, and low-income families. Through partnerships with over 30 local organizations including the Denver Public Library, COLOR Latina, the YMCA of Boulder Valley, and many others, the Symphony ensures access to music isn’t dictated by financial status.
The impact is even more visible in its free community concerts, which have drawn 100,000 attendees to Boettcher Concert Hall over the past decade. Signature events such as Latin Beats and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Tribute & Humanitarian Awards Concert are more than performances — they’re cultural celebrations that bring together diverse audiences in shared joy. And when you include the symphony’s annual involvement in and Independence Eve at Civic Center Park, the number of free concert attendees balloons to over 1 million since 2014.
Left to Right: Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute and Humanitarian Awards (January 2025), Independence Eve at Civic Center Park (2023), Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute and Humanitarian Awards (January 2025)
A Symphony of Inclusion
The Colorado Symphony doesn’t just talk about diversity, equity, and inclusion, it weaves these principles into its programs. Bilingual storytelling for children through “Mini Música” has already delivered over 30,000 storybooks to young learners. Sensory-friendly concerts provide a welcoming environment for neurodiverse audiences, while themed collaborations with groups like Mariachi Sol de Mi Tierra, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, and ArtistiCO showcase the cultural mosaic of the region.
Mentorship is also a key pillar. The Symphony’s long-term partnership with El Sistema Colorado reaches over 300 Title I students annually, providing them with free instruments and instruction. Colorado Symphony musicians also serve as mentors in the community, teaching the next generation of musicians and music lovers through Colorado Symphony supported Master-Mentor programs and individual lessons in the community. These mentorships go beyond music — they’re about empowerment and long-term opportunity.
Mini Música at Boettcher Concert Hall (April 2025)
Classrooms and Concert Halls
Education is a cornerstone of the Symphony’s mission. Each year, more than 11,000 students from 40+ Denver Public Schools engage with the Symphony through youth concerts, musician school visits, masterclasses, and more. Programs like open rehearsals and in-school performances make music both accessible and relevant.
This year’s flagship Youth Concert program, Destination Denver, brought students on a vibrant musical journey through the city’s neighborhoods. For many children, it was their first time inside Boettcher Concert Hall, a moment that becomes a gateway to discovery. The 2024/25 program featured powerful collaborations with ArtistiCO Dance Company, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, and local hip-hop artists Chinelo “Nelo” Tyler and Wayne Watts, immersing students in the diverse musical traditions that shape the Mile High City.
“It meant a lot to not only perform in front of those students, but to perform in front of students that look like us.”
Chinelo “Nelo” Tyler
“It’s really cool seeing the Colorado Symphony inspiring new audiences with this outreach,” added Wayne Watts.
To support classroom learning, the Symphony provides curriculum guides aligned with Colorado State Music Standards and Common Core, helping teachers extend the concert experience into meaningful educational outcomes.
The Symphony also reaches families and learners of all ages in unconventional spaces like libraries, community centers, and parks become stages for exploration and connection. Whether it’s a brass ensemble at Parkfield Lake or collaborative programming at the Denver Art Museum, the Symphony’s reach extends far beyond downtown.
Destination Denver Youth Concert (April 2025)
Rooted in Partnership
The Colorado Symphony’s network of partnerships is a testament to its role as a community builder. Collaborators range from higher education institutions like MSU Denver and CU Boulder, to cultural cornerstones like the Denver Zoo, Colorado Ballet, Denver Art Museum, and Mexican Cultural Center, Meow Wolf, and more. These partnerships aren’t transactional — they’re creative exchanges that enrich Denver’s entire arts ecosystem.
Music Moves at Meow Wolf (April 2025)
A Vision That Resonates
The Symphony’s commitment is perhaps best summed up in its own guiding philosophy: to be a place where all feel welcome, represented, and connected through the universal power of music. Whether it’s expanding bilingual concerts, mentoring future musicians, or ensuring access to students who might never otherwise hear a live orchestra, the Colorado Symphony is conducting far more than music — it’s conducting change.
“One way or another, if you love music, you belong in Boettcher Concert Hall with the Colorado Symphony.”
Peter Oundjian, Music Director
“The Colorado Symphony manages to unite our community by playing so many different genres of music,” said Music Director Peter Oundjian. “So I think in the future, we are obviously going to try to continue to be the greatest symphonic orchestra that we can be. But we’ll also continue to explore other kinds of repertoire and keep working very hard on education that is so important to our community. One way or another, if you love music, you belong in Boettcher Concert Hall with the Colorado Symphony.”
As Denver continues to change and grow, the Symphony’s message remains clear: the joy of music belongs to everyone.
Learn more about the Colorado Symphony, our programs, and our commitment to inspiring, educating, and uniting our community through music.