We believe in engaging all ages in the magic of symphonic music.
We strive to share our training and passion with our community through performance and educational opportunities, and we seek to inspire the musician within everyone. We are guided by the following principles:
Forge a lifelong relationship between young people and the orchestra.
Be a catalyst for musical growth.
Connect our community through world class music-making.
Children’s Discovery Concerts
We believe that music isn't just fun and inspiring, it’s also instrumental in helping kids with cognitive development and their mental health throughout their lives. Our experiences in particular provide them with an outlet for their emotions. The Arapahoe Phil’s Discovery concerts host thousands of students from all over the south Denver metro area.
We strive to put the creative act directly into the hands of all who attend, sparking a lifelong relationship between kids and the orchestra. We feature music from all genres as we invite the students to become part of an immersive experience, as they try new instruments, sing, dance, and even play with and conduct the orchestra.
Our Discovery Concerts are December 16 & April 5 this season. For ticket inquires, or to host a Discovery Concert at your school or venue, contact us!
Emerging Young Artists Program
Our highly competitive program touches the future of music. Selected students are talented musicians and composers from the Denver Metro area. We integrate them with the orchestra to experience the power and beauty of playing in a professional symphonic performance. We often showcase our emerging artists in solo or group performances during pre-concert and special events. Selected students are offered 3-4 events during the year in addition to mentoring by our inspiring musicians and charismatic music director.
Many of these talented emerging artists use our program as a stepping stone into other prestigious music programs, such as the Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz and the Boulder Symphony and Music Academy Summer Camps. Our emerging artists have attended Eastman School of Music, Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver, as well as Juilliard and University of Southern California. They go on to develop their own careers in local and national music venues and support other emerging artists as performers, producers, and composers.
Applications require a recommendation from a teacher or a member of the community, submission of an audition, and an interview with the Music Director. We accept applications from January 1 through May 31.
School Music Assemblies
We bring the joy of music making and learning to you!
Small groups of AP musicians visit schools and community centers to present concerts that will educate, entertain, and teach children and youth about classical music and orchestral instruments. If you are interested in hosting a music assembly at your school or community center, please contact us.
Conducting Labs
Small ensembles of the Arapahoe Philharmonic serve as learning labs for developing skills of conductors, including graduate students, orchestra directors, or practicing Maestros of any age who want to sharpen their skills.
Upcoming Labs:
February 22 6-9:30pm at Colorado Music Institute
May 9 6-9:30pm at Colorado Music Institute
Coaching & Honor Orchestras
As part of our youth outreach, the Arapahoe Philharmonic directs sectionals for the honor orchestras of the Continental League, Cherry Creek School District (middle schools) and Aurora Public Schools. These sectionals help to engage and mentor middle and high school students from Arapahoe and Douglas Counties. AP players coach the students and provide advanced technical and musical support. This allows for a more individualized educational process.
The impact of these sectionals reaches far beyond the one concert. Students involved share new techniques with their school orchestras and build a better orchestra within their own schools. They remember the Arapahoe Philharmonic, bring their friends to our concerts, and are ultimately the foundation for future players and audience members.