Straying from typical classical offerings, Boulder Symphony always makes sure to deliver a show rich with contemporary and wild-card favorites.

“One the new works I am most excited about is Jessie Montgomery’s ‘Soul Force,’ which brings to life a voice struggling to be heard beyond the thumb of oppression,” Hughes said. “The symphonic work uses big-band, funk, hip hop and R&B to portray Dr. Martin Luther King’s endorsement of soul force to meet the challenges of our time, and never physical violence.”

West Side Story, which was written by Leonard Bernstein in 1961, has been repopularized in recent months thanks to Stephen Spielberg’s 2021 movie remake. At this performance, Coloradans can hear its classic score performed by the Boulder Symphony. Bonus: In addition to selections from timeless musical, the symphony will play songs from the ballets of Manuel de Falla and Alberto Ginastera, as well as the 1919 ballet Three-Cornered Hat. May 6; 7:30-9:30 p.m.; 1820 15th St., Boulder.

Maestro Devin Patrick Hughes will lead the Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra (LCSO) in its Classics 3 concerts.

Hughes is currently the music director and conductor of the Boulder Symphony in Boulder, Colorado, and Arapahoe Philharmonic in Littleton, Colorado. Hughes previously held artistic leadership positions with the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, Santa Fe Youth Symphony Association, Denver Young Artists Orchestra and Denver Philharmonic Orchestra.

Conductor Devin Patrick Hughes approaches classical music as a kind of quest. “Our music, our orchestras, our art form, just the nature of the ensemble has so many amazing attributes that teach us about community, that teach us about harmony, about working together,” the Colorado-based conductor told KRWG’s Intermezzo host Leora Zeitlin in this Zoom interview. “It’s really a quest,” he said, for him and many of his colleagues, "to bring this music to as many people as possible.”

Conductor Devin Patrick Hughes is at the forefront of creating orchestra programs that not only promote diversity but celebrate it. He has partnered with living composers over a decades-long career, initiating composer-in-residence programs, and founding ensembles that exist to give new voices platforms to showcase their skills.

The season will feature four guest conductors, including Lonnie Klein, who is retiring this May after 21 seasons as LCSO director.

Here is the lineup, with all performances on both Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons.

Classics 3: March 12-13, guest conductor Devin Patrick Hughes, music director and conductor of the Boulder Symphony and Arapahoe Philharmonic, conducting Ginastera’s Four Dances from "Estancia," Kodály’s Dances of Galánta, Harbach’s Lilia Polka and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7.

Jonathan Bingham had just finished his work shift at an Apple Store in May 2021 when he saw the voicemail. He had been offered a commission as part of the Emerging Black Composers Project. After graduating in 2016, he juggled a full-time position there with a burgeoning composing career that included residencies at the Arapahoe Philharmonic and Boulder Symphony.

“Historically, composers of color have had a much harder time getting their music performed and workshopped,” says Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, chair of the EBCP selection committee and the San Francisco Symphony’s resident conductor of engagement and education. “[The] project is an attempt to address some of that, and to provide points of access to young people from a community that has often previously been denied access.”

On Friday, Boulder Symphony will present a benefit concert at Grace Commons Church in Boulder at 7:30 p.m. Members will play Igor Stravinsky’s “The Soldier’s Tale,” narrated by award-winning poet Dominique Christina.

“As musicians and artists at the Boulder Symphony, community service has always been one of our most sacred values,” said Devin Patrick Hughes, music director and conductor of Boulder Symphony. “It feels essential to support our neighbors in their greatest times of need.”

Violinist Gregory Walker, who lost his home in the fire, will also be joining the ensemble to perform the theme from “Schindler’s List.” “Gregory Walker has given so much to our community for decades, from his electric performances to his trailblazing compositions, inspiring us to go where no one has gone before, in the realm of symphonic music,” Hughes said. “Right after the fires, after losing all of his possessions, we chatted. Putting myself in his shoes, I was feeling grief on his behalf and, amazingly, he had nothing but optimism and hope to share.”

Poet Dominique Christina and violinist Gregory Walker join the Boulder Symphony on Jan. 28 in downtown Boulder to benefit victims of the Marshall Fire.

Boulder Symphony Conductor Devin Patrick Hughes has curated an eclectic program featuring the Boulder Symphony musicians and poet Dominique Christina as well as violinist Gregory Walker, who lost his home in the Marshall Fire. Concerts will feature Igor Stravinsky’s Soldier’s Tale and the Theme from Schindler’s List along with two world premieres by Edgar Girtain and Elizabeth Cormninellis.

We are excited to introduce Colorado Music Institute’s Exclusive Immersion Experience with the Arapahoe Philharmonic!

CMI students have a unique and exclusive experience to immerse themselves in the orchestra for Beethoven’s Overture to Creatures of Prometheus.

On April 26th from 5:30 – 6:30pm, CMI students will have a private session with the Arapahoe Philharmonic, conductor Devin Patrick Hughes, and the principal musicians from the orchestra. They will practice Beethoven’s Overture to Creatures of Prometheus together and have the opportunity to meet the principal musicians one-on-one.

COLORADO, USA — Colorado celebrates winter's arrival next week with holiday festivals, parades, musical performances, craft shows and more.

Arapahoe Philharmonic's Holidays at the Movies

LITTLETON — Arapahoe Philharmonic is taking a trip down movie memory lane with music from classic holiday movies like "Home Alone," "Frozen," "Me Me in St. Louis," "Gremlins," "Babes in Toyland," "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," "A Charlie Brown Christmas" and "Nightmare Before Christmas." The Holidays at the Movies concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec 17 at Denver First Church. For more information or concert tickets, visit Arapahoe-Phil.org.

The Grace Commons Choir will present their annual Christmas Concert with a wonderful variety of seasonal musical selections. They will be joined by musicians from Boulder Symphony, Boulder Symphony Music Academy and conductor Devin Patrick Hughes.

My guest today is the highly-regarded Maestro Devin Patrick Hughes, music director and conductor of the Boulder Symphony and Arapahoe Philharmonic and Arts and Culture Commissioner for the City of Boulder. Throughout his career Hughes shared foundations that nurture the development of young performers, composers, and conductors.

Serving as a guest clinician for school districts across Colorado, the Maestro’s mission is to make symphonic music more universally accessible to all walks of life. Using his platform to showcase new music created by minority demographics, he incorporates diversity by targeting people who don’t know they love symphonic music.

In response to Covid-19, Hughes has created multiple programs connecting orchestras to their communities. Partnering with organizations such as Balfour Senior Assisted Living and Community Food Share to produce performances and dinners for both virtually and live. Hughes can be heard on One Symphony, a new podcast amplifying the voices of composers and other artistic entrepreneurs.

Arapahoe Philharmonic

“Holidays at the Movies” is the title for Arapahoe Philharmonic’s holiday concert at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 17 at Denver First Church, 3800 E. Hampden Ave., Cherry Hills Village.

Tickets: $5 to $30. arapahoe-phil.org/events/concerts/holidays-at-the-movies.

“Our goal is to offer an environment in which students of diverse backgrounds and ages have the opportunity to explore their unique musical talents and to bring the best of themselves, their creativity and their intellectual skills to their music and life,” Hughes said.

In addition to money going to support music lessons, Hughes is dedicated to using funds to secure aspiring musicians a chance to partake in the offerings regardless of income. “A portion of all money raised on Colorado Gives Day will go toward the scholarship fund at BSMA,” Hughes said. “As with our orchestra programs, we do not want financial hardship to be a reason someone cannot participate in BSMA.”

“One of the coolest things about arts and cultural organizations in the United States is that we’re supported and owned directly by the voters and taxpayers,” Hughes said. “The people of Colorado have shown time and time again that they want and need the arts in their lives. We are so fortunate to live in a city that values culture and arts and every year Colorado Gives Day proves that.”

The symphony orchestra. Classical instruments. Mozart. Beethoven. Haydn. These are things we are familiar with but may not have any personal contact with. During the past ten years, the Boulder Symphony, led by Devin Patrick Hughes, has been breaking boundaries between the general public and classical music.

Focusing on community outreach, the Boulder Symphony allows those that are unfamiliar with classical music and those that may have been apprehensive about attending the symphony a chance to reconnect with the music and experience it for themselves. Linking up with modern and local composers while still honoring the classics, Maestro Hughes brings the symphony orchestra to all residents of Boulder. Here’s a bit about the conductor directing this movement forward.

Boulder Symphony will perform Remix, a Curiosity Concert on Sunday, October 31 at 3PM. Families are welcome to dress up in their favorite costume, and experience the Symphony with Mozart, Professor Snooty, and Conductor Devin Patrick Hughes.

“We have so much fun putting these concerts together,” commented Boulder Symphony founder and Music Director Devin Patrick Hughes. “We believe everyone deserves access to the most provocative and inspiring aspects of culture, music, and art, and the symphony orchestra is the one place where people of all different backgrounds come together to create a shared experience of storytelling, entertainment, and deep spiritual connection.”

Boulder Symphony's Remix Curiosity Concert: Families are welcome to dress up in their favorite costumes and experience the symphony and Conductor Devin Patrick Hughes. Kids will experience music from Tchaikovsky and Vivaldi to Metallica, Lil Nas X and Harry Potter; 3 p.m. Oct. 31; Grace Commons Church, 1820 15th St., Boulder; bouldersymphony.org.

Katelyn Mattson-Levy spoke with Maestro Devin Patrick Hughes about the Salina Symphony's upcoming performance of Dvořák’s magnificent New World Symphony on October 3rd!