Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra

Background Statement

Founded in 1957, the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra is composed of top professional musicians from Colorado’s Front Range and beyond. The Boulder Phil has been recognized as “Boulder’s premier orchestra” (Boulder Weekly) and “Boulder’s superb local professional orchestra” (Daily Camera). Recent highlights include a Reference Recordings album of pianist-composer Aldo Lopez-Gavilán’s works, a National Endowment for the Arts grant for Resound Boulder, a composition competition for under-represented composers, and performing as a featured ensemble at the Kennedy Center’s inaugural SHIFT Festival in Washington, DC.

Under the leadership of Executive Director Mimi Kruger and Music Director Michael Butterman, the Boulder Phil continues to enrich the Front Range community with programs that reflect our community’s values, creativity, and sense of place. Collaboration with community organizations is a key focus of the Boulder Phil. To date, the Boulder Phil has partnered with 50 local organizations. During the most recent season, partners have included Boulder Ballet, 3rd Law Dance/Theater, Dairy Arts Center, 40 local schools, Butterfly Pavilion, Center for Musical Arts, Cellists for Change, Daily Camera, Greater Boulder Youth Orchestra, HB Woodsongs, and Ignite Adaptive Sports.

The Boulder Phil is widely known for its artistic, educational, and collaborative excellence, consistently offering deeply engaging programming performed at a highly professional level. We achieve a high level of artistry through recruiting and hiring top-quality musicians and guest artists. All of our 72 musicians are professionals that we pay union wages according to our collective bargaining agreement. In addition to their posts with the Boulder Phil, we are proud that many of our musicians hold positions in leading regional ensembles such as the Opera Colorado Orchestra, Colorado Ballet Orchestra, Colorado Springs Philharmonic, and Central City Opera Orchestra.