70th Anniversary Video - Arapahoe Philharmonic - Symphony of the Rockies

Celebrate 70th Years with the Arapahoe Philharmonic - Symphony of the Rockies!
Founded by late conductor T. Gordon Parks, the Arapahoe Philharmonic, the Symphony of the Rockies, has been a pillar of the South Metro Denver arts community since 1953. Our second music director, Vincent C. LaGuardia, Jr., led the ensemble from 1993 until his passing in 2012. Our third music director in 70 years, Devin Patrick Hughes, was appointed in 2013 and has brought a renewed focus on artistic excellence and innovation to the organization.
Over the past ten seasons the Arapahoe Philharmonic has professionalized the organization by almost doubling the operating budget, increasing musician pay rate three-fold, creating a full time Executive Director position, and creating a Discovery Concert Series serving over 1000 students each season. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Orchestra swiftly pivoted, adapting its programming to online, virtual, outdoors, and resuming COVID-safe performances, keeping audiences engaged and musicians and staff employed.
The orchestra is comprised of professional musicians, pre-professionals, talented community members looking for a space to grow and develop, and music educators with a passion for performing. Repertoire includes works by the greatest names in classical music spanning all eras, including recent works from diverse composers, and music spanning across the genres of pop, film, folk, video games, and more.
The Arapahoe Philharmonic has become a teaching pillar and role model throughout Colorado and beyond through its commitment to educating and fostering the next generation of classical music lovers. It presents a Discovery Concert Series, spearheads an Emerging Artists Program, and provides musicians to serve as coaches for music students of all ages.
In 2017, the Arapahoe Phil launched sensory friendly programming, including outreach programs where members of the Arapahoe Phil support seniors who cannot leave their communities. During the pandemic, it expanded this program to reach a more diverse group of seniors focusing on subsidized housing.
The orchestra can be found engaging the next generation of symphonic music champions throughout the front range, including the “best fireworks in Colorado” at Breckenridge Brewery for Independence Day, the most illustrious venues for classical music including Newman Center for the Performing Arts and Lone Tree Arts Center, and area schools, churches, and synagogues, including outdoor and indoor venues.
The Arapahoe Phil attracts top musicians from the front range of Colorado. In 2022 the orchestra welcomed the multi-faceted performing artist and violinist Rebekah Durham as only the fourth concertmaster in its 70-year history.
Violist Heidi Snyder
Conductor Devin Patrick Hughes
Violist John Leininger
Harpist Hillary Schefter