$1,535 raised by 8 donors
44% complete
$3,500 Goal
For 31 years, the Parker Symphony Orchestra, a volunteer community orchestra, has delighted in sharing the gift of music with audiences in Parker and the surrounding communities. Your generous gift will support our mission to continue performing high quality orchestra music that educates, entertains, and inspires.
"It's wonderful to have a community orchestra right in your backyard. No need to spend a ton of money or plan a night downtown when you can hear great performances of music ranging from the hits of John Williams to the classics by Dvorak and Mozart. The Parker Symphony performs in the beautiful PACE Center in Parker which is a truly special venue. I highly recommend attending one of the PSO's concerts whether you are looking for a good local date night, a little culture, or a family-friendly event (the holiday concert is great for kids)."
"Great to have a symphony in Parker. Love the PACE Center as being their home too."
"Very good performance by the orchestra! It was both professional yet friendly! The conductor is great, has a good sensor of humor. I learned several things about women composers. Overall, great concert!!!"
"Love coming to the symphony! The conductor is great! I really enjoy how he gives the history on the composer and the music!"
"Fantastic! Very moving and beautiful performance by the orchestra and the guest pianist. Renee Knetsch is a genius at programming."
"Musicians are amazing Conductor Rene Knetsch is a gift from God."
"I love the conductors commentary and I used to have season tickets to CO symphony when I lived in Denver. Parker is just as good. Don't ever miss a performance!"
Our mission is to perform orchestral music to educate, entertain, and inspire the people of Parker, our musicians, and the surrounding Denver-area communities.
The Parker Symphony Orchestra is a volunteer community orchestra that performs at the PACE center in Parker, Colorado from October to May. Founded in 1994, our 2025-26 season is our 32nd year together. Formerly the South Suburban Community Orchestra, we became the Parker Symphony Orchestra in 2011. Our mission is to perform orchestral music that will educate, entertain, and inspire the people of Parker, our musicians, and the surrounding Denver-area communities.
In 2025-26, we celebrate America’s 250th birthday with a series of concerts highlighting iconic American composers, landscapes, and cultural moments. The season features works ranging from Copland, Barber, Walker, Price, and Tower to Gershwin, Bernstein, and John Williams, along with collaborations with the Parker Chorale and guest artists including soprano Nadya Hill. From American vistas in our opening program to a tribute to women composers, a celebration of American film music, and a patriotic season finale honoring Colorado’s own Chris Pilsner, the year showcased the depth and diversity of America’s musical legacy.
In recent seasons, we performed George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue featuring Katie Mahan as soloist. In February of 2025, we presented Symphonic Metamorphosis by Paul Hindemith, and our final concert in May featured Antonin Dvorak’s New World Symphony.
And of course we love our collaborative holiday programs shared with the Parker Chorale!
In our 2023-2024 season we performed some truly great literature; Beethoven’s Violin Concerto with Yumi Hwang-Williams (Concertmaster of the Colorado Symphony) as soloist. Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony, El Salon Mexico by Aaron Copland, and Danzon #2 by Arturo Marquez.
Except for our Music Director, René Knetsch, and our Concertmaster, the musicians of the PSO are all volunteers. Musicians wishing to audition for the orchestra can do so at our pre-season auditions in August or throughout the year. The PSO rehearses on Wednesday evenings at Cherry Creek High School and our dress rehearsals and concerts are at the PACE center in Parker.
Organization name
Parker Symphony Orchestra
other names
Parker Symphony Orchestra, PSO, South Suburban Community Orchestra
1995
Tax id (EIN)
84-1277794
Category
Arts, Culture & Humanities
Organization Size
Small Organization
Address
PO Box 4572Arapahoe County, CO, US
Douglas County, CO, US