Right here in Boulder County, the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra is creating a new model for American orchestras.
Right here in Boulder County, the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra – a grantee of the Community Foundation – is creating a new model for American orchestras.
“Our focus is to highlight what’s unique about living here,” says Music Director Michael Butterman. “We endeavor to reflect our community’s creativity and values, and a sense of place that echoes our connection to the environment, the natural world – as well as an emphasis on new age elements and spirituality.”
That pervasive spirit of artistic inquisitiveness and innovation has not only earned the Boulder Phil loyal and growing audiences over Michael’s decade-long directorship – including being voted “Best of Boulder” for the past four years – it’s also caught the attention and acclaim of national audiences and arts organizations. Most recently, the Boulder Phil was chosen to participate in the new, weeklong SHIFT Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., March 27-April 2, 2017.
“For several seasons, we’ve been fine-tuning our programming model,” Michael says. “We call it ‘The Spirit of Boulder,’ and it’s our approach to connecting people to orchestral music in ways that enhance our community’s cultural fabric. We were thrilled to share what’s working so well, here, in the nation’s capital.
“We aim to present concerts in a way that makes traditional offerings fresh and new, and that creates an entry point for people to experience our programs and repertoire. For example, for the concert in Washington, we performed a world premiere inspired by the Rocky Mountain National Park, which included slides and other visual elements. At the end, we presented Appalachian Spring with aerial dancers.”
Indeed, the Boulder Phil – now in its 60th season – has collaborated with some 45 local organizations, encompassing nature, science, youth, social services and more. From multi-genre productions featuring dance (e.g., Frequent Flyers Productions, also a Community Foundation grantee), to choral and visual elements, and concerts with a hometown flair, the Phil works to echo and nurture all that makes Boulder County special.
“We apply that same kind of thinking to everything we offer beyond the concert hall,” continues Michael, referencing the Phil’s Discovery Concerts, Sensory-Friendly Concerts, and other education and outreach programs, as well as its guided musical hikes that precede a number of its concerts.
“One of the joys and obligations of any orchestra is to build a so-called pipeline of music lovers,” he concludes. “We’re very lucky in Boulder County – there’s no shortage of very talented collaborators, both in and outside the arts, who share our commitment to cross-fertilization of different audiences in ways that benefit everyone in the community.
“We want everyone to know that the Phil offers a more approachable experience to new and traditional orchestral music, and that all the artistic choices we make are to ensure broad, inclusive audience appeal.”
