Welcome

Hello friends, Welcome to Boettcher Concert Hall. What a thrill it is to be joining this community and your Colorado Symphony family as Principal Conductor. The opportunity to work alongside an ensemble of this caliber, filled with world class musicians, and supported by an incredible group of dedicated concertgoers means so much.

I recently concluded a 14-year tenure as the Music Director of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra as well as six years at the helm of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, but Colorado has never been far from my heart. In 2019, I joined the Colorado Music Festival as Music Director, and I love Colorado in the summertime. Over the years, I’ve also been a frequent collaborator with this orchestra, having served as the Colorado Symphony’s Principal Guest Conductor from 2003-2006, so you could say this has very much become like a second home for my family over the years. My appointment comes at an already exciting time for this organization, which has forged an international reputation for creativity, imagination, and outside the box thinking that has the Colorado Symphony poised to become one of the preeminent 21st century orchestras. In addition to my work on the podium, I’m looking forward to being part of the leadership team collaborating on the organization’s artistic planning process, helping to reimagine the traditional symphonic model while ensuring we continue to bring the best in live symphonic music to audiences throughout Colorado. I’m delighted to be on the podium for three must-see programs through the end of our current concert season, conducting Holst’s The Planets from March 25-27, Mahler’s “Resurrection” Symphony on April 16, and our season finale of Beethoven’s monumental Ninth Symphony from May 27-29. Your passion for our music is essential to the continued success of this orchestra. In recent years, I’ve watched as the Colorado Symphony has risen to the challenge of transforming into a sustainable 21st century orchestra by diversifying its programming, expanding educational outreach, and adding to an ever-growing list of community enriching activities. But there is more work still to come and we need your help to see it through. I’m ecstatic to be a part of it and look forward to engaging with all of you in the weeks and months to come.

On behalf of our musicians, staff, and the Board of Trustees, thank you for your continued support. Together, we’re building a wonderful future for live, symphonic music, and that future has never looked brighter. With deep gratitude, Peter Oundjian Principal Conductor