Culture, Community, and Connection

Good day, my friends. As the giving season unfolds, I’m reminded of a powerful question: Why does supporting an orchestra matter?

1. Well, because music as the universal language, has the ability to heal, inspire, enrich, and connect us to one another. (I believe we really need that right now.)

2. Because, have you been to our performances recently (and even if you haven't?)...in the midst of our 114th concert season, we continue to innovate for our audiences, grow our membership, and improve on our outstanding performances.

3. Because we, as the GPO leadership, share the vision that an orchestra must serve the community, and that every heritage and background deserves to share center stage. 

4. Because we employ world-class professional musicians, expose students to music that can shape and change their lives, support other non-profits, and provide an outstanding and affordable entertainment option right here in our own back yard. 

5. Because we are an essential part of our community and culture, past, present, and future: and we truly need your help nurturing this treasure, one that is rare for a community of our size. 

If you enjoy where you live, work or play, we humbly ask that you consider an investment of any size in order to fulfill the promise of a bright future for those who follow our path. 

The Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra:

• 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

If you still need more, please take a moment to read from our friend, Araceli, on her reflections of our first concert this season, Canciones para ti (Songs for You) in celebration of Día de los Muertos. 

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.