Summary
Organization name
Symphony of the Rockies
other names
AP
1953
Category
Arts, Culture & Humanities
Organization Size
Medium Organization
Address
5753 S. Prince Street Unit 1183Littleton, CO 80160
Arapahoe County, CO, US
Symphony of the Rockies
A nonprofit organization
$26,374 raised by 53 donors
53% complete
$50,000 Goal
Formerly the Arapahoe Philharmonic — Celebrating 70+ Years of Music that Moves Colorado
For more than 70 years, Symphony of the Rockies has been a cornerstone of the Denver Metro arts community. Under the visionary leadership of Maestro Devin Patrick Hughes since 2013, the orchestra has evolved into a world-class ensemble making symphonic music accessible across Colorado.
Over the past decade, SOTR has doubled its budget, sold out performances, and expanded education programs to reach thousands of students.
Today, Symphony of the Rockies unites professional musicians, educators, and emerging artists to perform a wide-ranging repertoire, from classical masterpieces to film scores and pop favorites. As a leader in music education and outreach, SOTR presents Discovery Concerts, the Emerging Young Artists Program, and initiatives reaching seniors, veterans, and underserved communities.
From the Newman Center for the Performing Arts to Breckenridge Brewery’s July 4th celebration, Symphony of the Rockies continues to inspire audiences and grow the next generation of music lovers across Colorado’s Front Range.
Impact Report
10,000+ audience members served this season
2,500+ students reached through The Crescendo Project
350 seniors engaged through The Golden Note Initiative
250 free veterans’ tickets distributed through VetTix
9 concerts and 12 educational events presented across multiple counties
Mission
Our mission is to engage, enrich, and nurture a diverse community through musical performance, education, and outreach.
We do this by:
Making the captivating power of music accessible and relevant to everyone, wherever they are and whoever they are.
Invigorating music education in schools with limited resources through outreach and performance.
Building an inspiring home for community, professional, and educator musicians.
Fulfilling our responsibility to our audiences, fellow musicians, and community.
Background Statement
For Season 2024-2025 and beyond, the Symphony of the Rockies (SotR) announced the next evolution of its name to better reflect the broader audiences and areas we serve as a pillar of the South Metro Denver community. We continue to be a vibrant space is a vibrant space where passion for music transcends age and time, cementing our role as a unifying force and a vibrant hub of musical innovation and education within the community uniting generations through melody. We are a pillar of the South Metro Denver arts community for 70 years - since 1953.
Founded by late conductor T. Gordon Parks, the Arapahoe Philharmonic has been a pillar of the South Metro Denver arts community since 1953. Our second music director, Vincent C. LaGuardia, Jr., led the ensemble from 1993 until his passing in 2012. Our third music director in 69 years, Devin Patrick Hughes, was appointed to the position in 2013 and has brought a renewed focus on artistic excellence and innovation to the organization.
The SotR is dedicated to presenting high-quality, engaging, accessible symphonic performances and music education to our diverse community. The orchestra provides a musical home to grow and develop amateur musicians, music educators, and pre-professional musicians and offers compensated performance opportunities for professional musicians in our community. This model ensures high-quality performances while providing development for our volunteers and income opportunities and experience for our musicians in leadership positions. Repertoire includes works by the greatest names in classical music spanning all eras, including recent works from diverse composers.
We are committed to educating and fostering the next generation of classical music lovers by presenting Children’s Discovery Concerts and sending musicians into schools to give extra coaching to band and orchestra students.
Media gallery
Organization Data
Littleton, CO 80160