Denver Philharmonic Orchestra

A nonprofit organization

The Denver Philharmonic Orchestra continually redefines the way our community experiences and engages with classical music.

Testimonials

2021-22 Season Patron quotes:
"CLASH OF THE TITANS" patron, October 8th, 2021
"Last night was my first experience with DPO. Nothing less than a spectacular performance. I knew I was going to enjoy the evening, but I didn't necessarily expect quite that level... All should be complemented. The conductor was as good as any I have ever seen, that's actually not an exaggeration."

"CLASH OF THE TITANS" patron, October 8th, 2021 (via Instagram)
"As an avid patron of the #denverphilharmonic I was brought to literal tears of happiness at the start of the concert this evening. It’s been too long since I’ve enjoyed the pleasure of your talents."

"BEETHOVEN CELEBRATION" patron May 25th & 26th, 2022
"Last night was perfect. Marvelous concert."

Mission

Reimagining the classical music experience for our entire community.

Background Statement

We may be one of Denver's oldest orchestras, but we certainly don't act our age.

Dr. Antonia Brico, the first woman to conduct the New York Philharmonic Orchestras, founded our organization in 1948 as the Denver Businessmen's Orchestra. Antonia settled in Denver after conducting professional orchestras across Europe and the U.S. She debuted our orchestra to a packed auditorium explaining the need for a classical music venue to showcase the talents of local, classically trained musicians "with no place to play." Twenty years later, we'd be known as the Brico Symphony, and Antonia would remain at the helm of the orchestra until her retirement in the mid-1980s.

After nearly 40 years under Antonia's baton, the orchestra chose Russian-American conductor Julius Glaihengauz as its second music director. A graduate of the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow, Julius led the newly renamed Centennial Philharmonic for 11 seasons.

In 1999, Professor of Music at the University of Denver Dr. Horst Buchholz took the baton. Our most recent name change came in 2004, and we became the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra. Horst served as music director and conductor through 2009, after which he was appointed the orchestra's first Conductor Laureate.

Adam Flatt came onboard as music director in June 2010. Adam's dynamic and inspiring leadership over the next three years continued Horst's legacy and further increased the artistic quality of the orchestra.

We selected award-winning conductor Dr. Lawrence Golan as our conductor and music director when Adam left in 2013. Lawrence, a professor and music director at the University of Denver's Lamont School of Music, continues to produce innovative and quality programming, challenging musicians and audiences alike.

Organization Data

Summary

Organization name

Denver Philharmonic Orchestra

other names

DPO, The Denver Businessmen's Orchestra, The Brico Symphony, The Centennial Philharmonic

Year Established

1948

Tax id (EIN)

84-6046303

Category

Arts, Culture & Humanities

Organization Size

Small Organization

Address

1660 Sherman St.
Denver, CO 80203

Mailing

PO Box 6074
Denver, CO 80206

Headquarters

1660 Sherman St
Denver, CO 80203

Service areas

Denver County, CO, US

Phone

720-440-0818

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