You Belong Here

The Symphony at the Heart of Colorado

Great cities are built not only on commerce and infrastructure but on culture. The arts are the heartbeat of a thriving community. They enrich lives, inspire creativity, and create spaces where people from every walk of life can come together. In Denver, the Colorado Symphony plays that role, offering transformative live experiences that remind us we are all connected through music.

“Our mission is not only about artistic excellence, but about opening doors, expanding access, sparking discovery, and building community.”

Daniel Wachter, President & CEO

“We exist to inspire lasting human connection and belonging,” says Colorado Symphony President and CEO Daniel Wachter. “Our mission is not only about artistic excellence, but about opening doors, expanding access, sparking discovery, and building community. Music is how we bring people together, and that’s why You Belong Here is such a powerful promise.”

The Colorado Symphony makes that promise real through experiences that surprise, delight, and invite. Performances of the classical masterworks sit alongside collaborations with artists who stretch the definition of symphonic music like Gregory Alan Isakov, Cynthia Erivo, RZA, and Nathaniel Rateliff. Students from El Sistema Colorado may fill the lobby with music, or thousands may gather for a free concert in Civic Center Park. No matter the stage or the style, the common thread is the same: audiences leave feeling inspired, connected, and part of something bigger than themselves.

Yet for many, symphony orchestras carry misconceptions that create distance. Some believe the concert hall is only for people of a certain background, income, or education. Others assume the repertoire begins and ends with “old dead composers.” The Colorado Symphony is working every day to change that perception.

“The goal is always to create shared experiences that are deeply human. That’s why people come back, they leave feeling moved, inspired, and part of something bigger than themselves.”

Peter Oundjian, Music Director

“Our musicians bring an incredible level of artistry,” says Music Director Peter Oundjian, “but what excites me most is how that artistry is used to connect. We perform music from across cultures, genres, and generations, everything from Beethoven to film scores, to brand-new works by living composers. But the goal is always to create shared experiences that are deeply human. That’s why people come back, they leave feeling moved, inspired, and part of something bigger than themselves. That’s also why the phrase You Belong Here is so powerful: it’s an invitation to everyone.”

In a world where screens often isolate and divisions run deep, gathering together for live music is an act of unity. A Colorado Symphony concert is a place where silence before the first note and applause after the last are shared across differences. It’s a reminder that while we may not share the same stories, we share the same humanity.

Boettcher Concert Hall has been the Colorado Symphony’s home — the instrument of the orchestra — for more than 45 years, a place where countless Coloradans have built memories together. Just as the Symphony evolves, so must its hall. Denver’s proposed Vibrant Denver bond package, which includes funding for critical upgrades, represents a recognition that world-class cities need world-class cultural spaces. The Colorado Symphony’s commitment is to ensure Boettcher remains not just a concert hall, but a welcoming, inspiring home where everyone can feel: You Belong Here.

As the Colorado Symphony looks ahead, our vision remains clear: to guide Coloradans toward moments of belonging through the shared language of music. The Colorado Symphony is not just another orchestra. It is Colorado’s cultural heartbeat, reflecting our state’s creativity, vitality, and spirit of community.

So when you see You Belong Here stretched across Speer Boulevard, take it personally. Because you do. In this hall, in this city, and in this state, the Symphony is here to bring us together, one unforgettable performance at a time.

Promises We Live By:

No matter who you are, you’ll feel welcome. Our audiences are as diverse as the music we perform. Every person who walks through our doors belongs.
No matter what we play, you’ll feel inspired. From Beethoven to brand-new works, from hip-hop to film scores, our music is alive with possibility and it’s meant for you.
No matter what you know, you’ll feel connected. No background required. Just bring yourself. The music and the moment will do the rest.
No matter how you show up, you’ll feel part of the experience. Dressed up or dressed down, first-time visitor or season subscriber, you belong here.

First Timer’s Guide

First time at the Symphony? Not sure what to see or where to start? Learn about the Colorado Symphony experience, the performance, and the music, with frequently asked questions specifically for Symphony newcomers.

Start Here