Curiosity Concerts

The mission of Boulder Symphony’s Curiosity Concerts is to create a positive, live, symphonic experience that our concertgoers will remember for the rest of their lives.

Written and produced by Devin Patrick Hughes, Andrew Haller, Dana Vachharajani, and Elizabeth Foster Comninellis, our Curiosity Concerts create an interactive and educational experience that inspires and entertains young and old alike.

Boulder Symphony performing a wild-west themed curiosity concert
Children with musical instruments at Boulder Symphony Curiosity Concert

Before each concert begins, the audience calls out instruments for the orchestra to demonstrate. The performances use trivia, humorous characters, and enriching stories to engage, entertain, and educate the audience throughout the performance — not to mention the awesome power of live symphonic music to illuminate our message. At the end of every concert, some participants even get the opportunity to conduct the Boulder Symphony!

The GLOW Project

A DEMENTIA- AND SENSORY-FRIENDLY CONCERT SERIES

Bringing together individuals with neurodegenerative diseases, sensory disorders, and cognitive and physical disabilities, along with their families and caregivers, the GLOW Project is a community-building, heart-filling concert experience.

G

GROW

L

LIFE

O

OPEN

W

WONDER

Cello laying on the floor
Violin and sheet music resting on a chair

We grow as a community by creating and enjoying live music together.

We celebrate life through musical experiences that bring about memories, awaken the senses, and promote inclusiveness.

We are open to new musical opportunities, environments, interpretations, and responses.

We experience the wonder, admiration, fascination, and creativity that music making influences.

This project includes a nontraditional concert series highlighting dementia-friendly concerts and sensory-friendly concerts for individuals with cognitive and physical disabilities. Proudly, this project is in collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Association SPARK program and the Center for People with Disabilities.

This concert series features music performed by a Boulder Symphony chamber ensemble and includes interactive participation. Leah Quiller, a board-certified music therapist, facilitates the GLOW Project Concert Series.

Apprentice Programs

TUNING STUDENTS TO THEIR FUTURE

Boulder Symphony’s High School Apprenticeship Program is a special internship program for high school students studying any orchestral instrument.

Devin teaching a Boulder Symphony apprentice group
Young girl playing the violin as an apprentice of the Boulder Symphony
Eligibility:

The student must be in high school or studying at a high school level, involved in a school or youth orchestra, and taking private instrument lessons.

For the Audition:
  • Students will perform a solo of their choice.
  • Students will perform orchestral excerpts of the instrument section principal’s choice.

In the Schools

The opportunity to connect with Boulder Symphony’s professional musicians, guest artists, conductors, and composers allows young people to reap the benefits of expansive music education.

Devin teaching music in a school
Phoenix teaching music in a school

Through interactive clinics, lectures, master classes, and performances, our mentors and guest artists engage and inspire kids’ interests through aural, visual, and kinesthetic educational experiences. As musical participation lends itself to technical and creative skills crucial to future studies and careers, our musicians inspire and educate children of all levels.

Some of our educational partners, past and present, include:

  • Shepherd Valley Waldorf School
  • I Have A Dream Foundation
  • Tara Performing Arts School
  • Shining Mountain Waldorf School
  • The Pinnacle Charter School
  • Friends’ School
  • Southern Hills Middle School
  • Mackintosh Academy
  • Boulder Music Institute
  • Dana V Music
  • Longmont Youth Symphony
  • Flatirons Strings Academy
  • Manhattan Middle School
  • Boulder Symphony Music Academy
  • International Piano Odyssiad & Festival
  • Fairview High School
  • Boulder MUSE

Interested in having a Boulder Symphony musician, guest artist, or composer visit your school or program?