Serving the community has been at the heart of the Boulder Phil’s mission for 60 years – now more than ever before. The Boulder Phil is a recognized leader in community engagement, helping to write the next chapter in the story of the American orchestra by touching lives and creating opportunity through our growing education and outreach programs.
Thank you to our community partners!
Kids at the Dairy/Dairy Arts Center
The Boulder Phil presents an interactive program at the Dairy Arts Center for preschool classes, featuring our brass quintet and string quartet. The Dairy Arts Center hosts an instrument petting zoo at the same time as our “Kids at the Dairy” concerts.
Boulder Valley School District
Boulder Valley School District is our partner for our Discovery Series program. You can find more info about Discovery here: https://boulderphil.org/education-overview. Five music teachers from BVSD serve on the Boulder Phil’s Education Committee, helping with planning and giving feedback.
The Boulder Philharmonic’s Discovery Series takes students in grades 3-6 on a journey to explore orchestral music in a fun, interactive format featuring nationally-acclaimed Music Director Michael Butterman. Students attend a 50-minute performance during the school day designed to support and coordinate with their core curriculum.
Early Explorers Program: In partnership with Integral Steps and Boulder County Head Start
The Boulder Philharmonic, in partnership with Integral Steps (early education and Dalcroze Eurhythmics specialists) and Boulder County Head Start (preschool program for low-income families), has created an interactive introduction into the world of orchestral music. The goal of this classroom programming is to introduce our youngest audience members to important musical elements and to inspire creative expression and self-confidence at the earliest part of educational development. Music, movement, and active listening are all part of what the students learn in this 8-week curriculum that this year centered around Stravinsky’s “Firebird.” The program culminates in a classroom visit by a Boulder Phil percussionist to introduce preschoolers to percussion instruments and explore rhythm and music together.
Audubon Society
The Boulder Phil and the Boulder County Audubon Society partner to connect community members with the natural world through music, as Interpretive Naturalist Dave Sutherland leads music-themed nature hikes in Boulder’s beautiful outdoor spaces. The Audubon Society is one of the world’s oldest non-profit environmental organizations dedicated to the conservation of birds and their habitat. These hikes are free and open to the public.
Boulder Public Library
Boulder Public Library serves as a venue for a number of our free community chamber programs, often with artistic collaborators outside of music. Past concerts featured sensory-friendly programming and our #nophilter string ensemble presenting rock, pop & metal.
For more information, contact Sara Parkinson, Executive Director, 303-443-9203 or sara@boulderphil.org.