Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra

Under the vision and leadership of Music Director Michael Butterman, the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra is celebrating its 55th season of providing outstanding orchestral music in our community. The Boulder Phil is a critically acclaimed professional orchestra, presenting performances nine months out of the year and employing a core of 72 of our region’s most highly trained musicians.

Voted “Best Classical Music” two years running by the readers of Boulder Weekly, the Boulder Phil’s main performance venue is Macky Auditorium on the CU-Boulder campus, a historic concert hall which recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. The Boulder Phil’s main concert series—broadcast across the state on Colorado Public Radio—features a dynamic mix of masterpieces and promising new works, highlighting both accomplished and emerging guest artists with a special emphasis on Boulder’s own creative community.

The orchestra’s broad reach in the community includes special events such as the annual co-production of The Nutcracker with the Boulder Ballet as well as performances in Arvada, Beaver Creek, Highlands Ranch, and Lakewood. The Boulder Phil also works to inspire the next generation of music-lovers through its Discovery Concerts reaching 4th and 5th grade students across three counties.

Founded in 1958, the Boulder Philharmonic became a fully professional ensemble under the leadership of Theodore Kuchar, who began his tenure as music director in 1996. Michael Butterman was named music director in 2006, bringing a strong emphasis on education and outreach, as well as a creative approach to programming that includes a focus on collaborations with other local artists. Under his direction, the Boulder Philharmonic Orchestra reflects and fosters all that makes Boulder special―its creativity, spirit, beauty and quest for knowledge. By connecting people to orchestral music, the Boulder Phil strives to be an essential part of our community's cultural fabric.