Founded in 1953, the Arapahoe Philharmonic is among the most long-established, continuously operating musical resources in Colorado. After thriving under two long-tenured conductors,

T. Gordon Parks and Vincent C. LaGuardia, Jr., we celebrate our 60th anniversary season with an exciting new conductor, Devin Patrick Hughes. All of the orchestra’s musicians are volunteers, playing for the love of music, with the exception of a core of compensated section principals who provide technical leadership and help ensure the excellence of performance.

 

Our performance repertoire includes the greatest names in classical music, ranging through centuries of master composers, but also featuring those of more recent times. In fact, when resources allow, the Philharmonic commissions current composers to write new music for the orchestra. Our fine performance venue (Mission Hills Church just West of Broadway and North of C470 in Littleton) allows music lovers in Denver metro communities to experience high quality performances at reasonable cost, with a convenient commute from home and free parking.

 

In addition to the our regular season performances, the Philharmonic is invested in future generations, presenting annual children's concerts and sponsoring the Arapahoe Philharmonic outreach to elementary and middle schools - including clinics, concert coaching and side-by-side workshops. Whether or not these young people choose a career in music, growing and working together toward the collective goal of a concert performance is important to their intellectual and emotional development. The outreach programs offer an experience that some would have no other means of exploring.  The Arapahoe Philharmonic also sponsors two collegiate competitions: the T. Gordon Parks Memorial Collegiate Competition for college age musicians, the winner receiving a cash award and be the featured soloist with the Arapahoe Philharmonic in a regular subscription concert; and the Vincent C. LaGuardia, Jr. Collegiate Conducting Competition, the winner receiving the opportunity to conduct our orchestra during a regular season concert.

 

Why do the musicians, Board, and volunteers continue their dedicated efforts to keep great classical music alive in Southeast Denver? Some of the world’s greatest thinkers have said it best:

 

"If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music. ... I get most joy in life out of music."

~ Albert Einstein

 

"Without music life would be a mistake."

~Friedrich Nietzsche

 

"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything."

~ Plato

 

"Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent."

~Victor Hugo

 

We hope you will enjoy your visit with the Arapahoe Philharmonic, and help us to continue our musical tradition “for the love of music.”