Will you join me in giving?

I am reaching out to ask if you might consider making a gift to an organization that is very close to my heart. The Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra performs incredible music. But more than that - the GPO enriches and inspires our community.

The GPO:

• Creates events that are accessible and fun for people of all ages and backgrounds
• Amplifies community voices and addresses societal issues through curated programming and partnerships
• Provides music education workshops, competitions, and internships for students of all ages
• Pioneers the Music Meets Medicine program to explore therapeutic applications of music

At the first concert of the 2025-2026 season, the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra performed Canciones para ti (Songs for You) in celebration of Día de los Muertos. This program took nearly two years to prepare! From an extensive search for the right guest conductor to meetings with community members to creating custom arrangements of songs, this project was a labor of love- a love for the Greeley community. 

Reflection on the Día de los Muertos Concert

This year, I had the privilege of meeting with GPO Director Ben Barnhart, who shared the vision behind the Día de los Muertos Concert. I was immediately intrigued because, in all my years as a community advocate, it was the first time a director had reached out with a genuine desire to include our Hispanic community. And he truly followed through.

During the planning meetings, a group of enthusiastic advocates came together with the shared goal of making sure that the families and individuals we serve were informed about the concert and had the opportunity to attend. Our focus was on ensuring access—giving people the choice to participate, to be seen, and to feel included.

As the Director of the Immigrant and Refugee Center of Northern Colorado, I saw this experience as an opportunity to acknowledge the dedication of our team of 150 volunteers and to uplift the morale of our staff—many of whom have been deeply affected by the challenges surrounding immigration policies that impact our families and clients.

Most importantly, I witnessed the heart of our work: our clients. People from Somalia, Myanmar, Haiti, Mexico, Ethiopia, Nicaragua, Benin, and many other countries attended the concert. For many, it was their very first time experiencing a professional concert—with formal seating, a full orchestra, and a passionate conductor.

I will never forget seeing members of our Hispanic community moved to tears as they listened to familiar songs from their youth—music that carried memories of home, love, and belonging. There was nostalgia, joy, and pride in the air. People who are often shy were dancing, clapping, and celebrating every piece. Director Diego’s storytelling added depth and reflection, giving space for both happiness and healing in these challenging times.

After the concert, our staff took time to reflect on the experience. They expressed gratitude, joy, and encouragement for GPO’s genuine invitation and for creating such an inclusive and meaningful event.

It was more than a concert—it was a celebration of culture, unity, and community.

Developing meaningful and high-quality events comes with a cost. The average concert costs nearly $50,000 to produce, a 6% increase over the last year. Your gift will allow us to continue creating impactful events like Canciones para ti (Songs for You) for our community.