Colorado Symphony
An American symphony orchestra based in Denver, Colorado, and the successor to the Denver Symphony Orchestra.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
The Colorado Symphony is a professional American symphony orchestra headquartered in Denver, Colorado. It was established in 1989 as the successor organization to the Denver Symphony Orchestra after that orchestra suspended the remainder of its 1988–1989 season amid financial difficulties and organizational conflict. The new ensemble was incorporated in August 1989 by percussionist Terry Smith and former principal bassoonist John Wetherill. Many Denver Symphony musicians subsequently voted to leave their former ensemble and join the new organization, allowing the Colorado Symphony to begin performing while legal and labor disputes surrounding the predecessor organization were still unfolding. The orchestra gave its first concert on October 27, 1989. The Denver Symphony Orchestra filed for bankruptcy protection on October 4 of that year, and the two organizations formally merged in May 1990. From its earliest period, the Colorado Symphony therefore combined the continuity of Denver's established orchestral tradition with a musician-led organizational structure. It initially operated with a smaller roster, but later expanded to 79 full-time musicians and one full-time librarian, according to the referenced account. The orchestra performs primarily at Boettcher Concert Hall in the Denver Performing Arts Complex and also presents concerts and community activities elsewhere along Colorado's Front Range. Its programming includes traditional Masterworks concerts, popular-music Pops events, seasonal Holiday performances, Family concerts, educational activities, outreach programs, and explanatory or accessible formats such as Inside the Score. Symphony on the Rocks is another recognizable series, connecting orchestral performance with rock-oriented repertoire and presentation. These activities give the organization a broader remit than a conventional subscription orchestra: it serves concert audiences while also pursuing education, audience development, and community engagement. The Colorado Symphony's artistic profile developed significantly during the tenure of Marin Alsop, who became principal conductor in 1993 and later served as music director. She is now identified as the orchestra's conductor laureate. Under Alsop, the ensemble received greater regional and national attention and made several recordings for the Naxos label. Jeffrey Kahane became music director in 2005 and was associated with audience growth and a notably strong relationship with the musicians. He announced in 2008 that he would leave after the 2009–2010 season, citing health concerns and a desire to concentrate more fully on his solo piano career. Andrew Litton served first as artistic advisor from 2012 and became music director in 2013. During his tenure, the orchestra made a recording of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 for its own self-produced label. Litton stepped down as music director after the 2015–2016 season but continued in related artistic roles through the 2017–2018 season. Brett Mitchell became music director beginning with the 2017–2018 season after serving as music director-designate, and concluded his tenure in 2021. Peter Oundjian, who had previously been the orchestra's principal guest conductor from 2003 to 2006, was appointed principal conductor in 2022. In September 2024, the orchestra announced that he would become music director beginning with the 2025–2026 season. The Colorado Symphony remains an active nonprofit cultural institution whose identity rests on live orchestral performance, educational and outreach work, flexible programming, and its historical connection to the Denver Symphony Orchestra. Its public-facing scope spans canonical symphonic repertoire, family and holiday concerts, popular crossover projects, and community-oriented presentation formats.
History
The Colorado Symphony emerged from the financial and labor crisis that brought the Denver Symphony Orchestra's 1988–1989 season to an early end. In August 1989, percussionist Terry Smith and former principal bassoonist John Wetherill incorporated a new nonprofit organization in Colorado. The enterprise was intended to provide a continuation of professional orchestral activity in Denver, although its creation initially took place amid uncertainty over contracts, competing organizational claims, and possible litigation. The Denver Symphony's labor agreement restricted musicians from joining competing ensembles. The issue became less significant after the orchestra's musicians voted to leave collectively and join the Colorado Symphony. The new organization performed its first concert on October 27, 1989. The Denver Symphony Orchestra filed for bankruptcy protection on October 4, and on November 1 Smith and Wetherill transferred the new corporation to representatives elected by the musicians. The Denver Symphony and Colorado Symphony subsequently merged in May 1990, establishing the Colorado Symphony as the successor to Denver's earlier professional orchestra. The ensemble began with a smaller complement that included many former Denver Symphony musicians. Over time, its roster grew to 79 full-time musicians and one full-time librarian in the account summarized by the referenced source. Its primary venue is Boettcher Concert Hall in the Denver Performing Arts Complex, but its activities extend across the Front Range through concerts, education, and outreach. Its program structure includes Masterworks, Pops, Holiday, Family, Inside the Score, and Symphony on the Rocks offerings, enabling the orchestra to address both traditional concert audiences and listeners interested in accessible, seasonal, popular, or crossover programming. Marin Alsop became principal conductor in 1993 and subsequently served as music director. Her leadership helped raise the orchestra's visibility beyond Colorado, and the ensemble recorded several releases for Naxos. Alsop is identified as conductor laureate. Jeffrey Kahane became music director in 2005. His tenure was associated with audience growth and a particularly close relationship with the musicians. Although his contract had been extended through 2012, Kahane announced in 2008 that he would leave at the conclusion of the 2009–2010 season. He explained that a serious hypertension episode in 2007 had prompted him to reassess the demands of combining music directorship with his broader career and to focus more on solo piano work. Andrew Litton joined as artistic advisor in September 2012 and was elevated to music director in August 2013. He left the music directorship after the 2015–2016 season while continuing as artistic advisor and principal guest conductor through the 2017–2018 season. Under his direction, the orchestra made a recording of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony for its own self-produced label. Brett Mitchell first guest-conducted the orchestra in July 2016. The organization selected him as its next music director in September 2016; he served as designate in 2016–2017, held the music directorship from 2017 through 2021, and then concluded his tenure. Peter Oundjian was appointed principal conductor in February 2022. His appointment had a historical connection to the ensemble because he had previously been its principal guest conductor from 2003 to 2006. In September 2024, the orchestra announced his promotion to music director, effective with the 2025–2026 season, with an initial four-year contract. The Colorado Symphony's continuing identity is consequently shaped by both institutional continuity with the Denver Symphony and an evolving approach to programming, audience development, education, and regional cultural service.
- 2025
Peter Oundjian music directorship scheduled to begin
[1]Oundjian's announced music director appointment is scheduled to take effect with the 2025–2026 season.
- 2022
Peter Oundjian becomes principal conductor
[1]Oundjian returned to the organization as principal conductor.
- 2017
Brett Mitchell begins music directorship
[1]Mitchell began his appointment after serving as music director-designate.
- 2013
Andrew Litton becomes music director
[1]Litton was elevated from artistic advisor to music director.
- 2005
Jeffrey Kahane becomes music director
[1]Kahane succeeded Alsop as music director.
- 1993
Marin Alsop begins leadership
[1]Alsop was appointed principal conductor and later became music director.
- 1990
Merger with Denver Symphony Orchestra
[1]The Colorado Symphony and Denver Symphony Orchestra merged in May, formalizing the successor relationship.
- 1989
Colorado Symphony incorporated
[1]Terry Smith and John Wetherill incorporated the nonprofit orchestra in August as the Denver Symphony crisis intensified.
- 1989
First concert
[1]The orchestra presented its first concert on October 27.
Products and positioning
A Denver-based professional orchestra combining traditional symphonic programming with popular, seasonal, family, educational, and community-oriented concert formats.
Concert series
Masterworks
The orchestra's core symphonic presentation, centered on established orchestral repertoire and concert programs presented in a formal performance setting.
Concert series
Pops
A popular-music-oriented concert format that broadens the orchestra's repertoire and audience beyond conventional classical subscription programming.
Seasonal concert series
Holiday
Seasonal performances built around holiday programming and designed for a broad public audience during the end-of-year period.
Concert series
Family
Family-oriented concerts that present orchestral music in an accessible format for children, parents, and multigenerational audiences.
Educational concert series
Inside the Score
An explanatory concert format intended to illuminate how orchestral works are constructed and heard, linking performance with audience education.
Crossover concert series
Symphony on the Rocks
A crossover series connecting symphonic performance with rock-oriented repertoire and presentation, reflecting the orchestra's effort to reach listeners outside the traditional classical audience.
Recorded music
Orchestral recordings
The orchestra has released recordings through Naxos and, under Andrew Litton, produced a recording of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 on its own self-produced label.
Brand decisions
2013
Produce a Beethoven Ninth Symphony recordingProduct launchBackground
During Andrew Litton's leadership, the orchestra pursued a recording for a label operated by the organization itself.
Action taken
The orchestra recorded Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 for its self-produced label.
Aftermath
The project represented an expansion of the orchestra's activities beyond live performances into self-directed recorded output.
1989
Create a successor orchestra during the Denver Symphony crisisStrategyBackground
The Denver Symphony Orchestra had canceled the rest of its 1988–1989 season because of financial problems, while management and musicians were involved in an organizational and labor dispute.
Action taken
Terry Smith and John Wetherill incorporated the Colorado Symphony, and musicians subsequently joined the new organization collectively.
Aftermath
The new orchestra performed its first concert in October 1989 and merged with the Denver Symphony Orchestra in May 1990.
Recent events
- 2024
Peter Oundjian promoted to music director[1]
Leadership change
The orchestra announced that Oundjian would become music director beginning with the 2025–2026 season under an initial four-year appointment.
- 2022
Peter Oundjian appointed principal conductor[1]
Leadership change
Oundjian returned to a leadership role after earlier serving as the orchestra's principal guest conductor from 2003 to 2006.
- 2016
Brett Mitchell named next music director[1]
Leadership change
Following a guest appearance, Mitchell was named music director beginning with the 2017–2018 season and served as music director-designate during the preceding season.
- 2013
Andrew Litton becomes music director[1]
Leadership change · Product launch
Litton, who had joined as artistic advisor in 2012, was elevated to music director and later led the orchestra's recording of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 for its self-produced label.
- 2005
Jeffrey Kahane appointed music director[1]
Leadership change
Kahane succeeded Alsop as music director and led a period associated with audience growth and a strong relationship with the orchestra's musicians.
- 1993
Marin Alsop appointed principal conductor[1]
Leadership change
Alsop began the leadership period during which the orchestra expanded its regional and national profile and undertook recordings for Naxos.
- 1989
Colorado Symphony is incorporated as successor to Denver Symphony Orchestra[1]
Other
Percussionist Terry Smith and former principal bassoonist John Wetherill filed incorporation documents for the new nonprofit orchestra during the crisis surrounding the Denver Symphony Orchestra.
- 1989
Colorado Symphony gives its first concert[1]
Other
The newly formed orchestra performed its inaugural concert on October 27, shortly after the Denver Symphony Orchestra entered bankruptcy protection.
Sources2 sources
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