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Our History

During its 2009-10 Season the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra celebrates 62 years of providing symphonic concerts and outreach. This community orchestra was founded in 1948 as the Denver Businessmen’s Orchestra by Dr. Antonia Brico, an internationally acclaimed musician, conductor and teacher. The orchestra quickly became known for its ambitious collaborations and performances. In 1968, to honor its founder, the name of the orchestra was changed to the Brico Symphony. The tradition of musical excellence and community service continued for thirty-eight years.

Following Dr. Brico’s retirement in 1986, the orchestra selected Julius Glaihengauz, a talented Russian conductor from the Moscow Conservatory Symphony and Opera Theater, as its second Music Director. With the change in leadership, the name of the orchestra was changed to the Centennial Philharmonic. The Centennial Orchestra performed under Glaihengauz for eleven seasons followed by a season under interim director Kirk Smith.

In 1999 Dr. Horst Buchholz, an acclaimed musician and conductor from the Lamont School of Music at the University of Denver and Music Director at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception was selected as the orchestra's new Conductor and Music Director. To more accurately reflect the orchestra’s Denver roots, it was renamed the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra in 2004. Dr. Buchholz remained the DPO’s Conductor and Music Director through the 2008-09 Season, after which he was appointed Conductor Laureate. He will serve as the DPO’s artistic advisor for the 2009-10 Season, as the DPO conducts its search for a new conductor and music director.

About Our Artistic Advisor And Conductor Laureate

Dr. Horst Buchholz was appointed Conductor Laureate of the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra in August 2009 following his distinguished, decade-long tenure as the orchestra’s conductor and music director. In the 61-year history of the orchestra, he is the first conductor awarded this prestigious title.

Highlights of his tenure with the DPO include a dramatic improvement in the artistic quality of the orchestra, original and rarely heard programming, and increased visibility of the orchestra throughout the community. Dr. Buchholz’s strong communication skills endeared him to audiences and helped to spread his passion for and commitment to the value of outstanding community orchestras.

Dr. Buchholz serves as Artistic Advisor to the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra for its 2009 -2010 Season.

Previously, Buchholz served as Music Director at Denver’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and professor at St. John Vianney Seminary, as well as Associate Conductor with Opera Colorado and as Music Director of Denver's Young Artists Orchestra. He has won international acclaim as conductor, concert organist, scholar, and educator.

Horst Buchholz received his early musical training in a boys choir in his native Germany and started conducting at age 16. When he was 21 years old, he had his Berlin Philharmonic debut as organ soloist, and shortly thereafter he founded the Berlin Chamber Orchestra. Dr. Buchholz holds two terminal degrees, one in Church Music from the University of Arts in Berlin, and one in Orchestral Conducting from Indiana University in Bloomington. His organ teachers were Heinz Lohmann, Peter Wackwitz, and Rudolf Heinemann. As an assistant with the Berlin Philharmonic Chorus he had the opportunity to work with and learn from such eminent maestros as Claudio Abbado, Riccardo Muti, and Herbert von Karajan.

Horst Buchholz has been active as a conductor, organist, and lecturer in the United States, Japan, Korea, Mexico, and throughout Europe. He has performed on some of the most famous organs in the world. He was a guest conductor with the Boulder Philharmonic, the Colorado Symphony, the Sinfonia of Colorado, Central City Opera, the Akron Symphony, and other orchestras. He performed in some of the world's most prestigious concert halls, as well as for the United Nations in Vienna. He appeared on German National Television, the Korean TV, National Public Radio, the American AFN, and the British BBC. In the summer of 2000 Dr. Buchholz had his conducting debut in Salzburg during the International Summer Festival and has returned to Salzburg annually as conductor and organist.

From 2003 to 2008, Dr. Buchholz joined the Lamont School of Music of the University of Denver as organ faculty and curator of the William K. Coors organ. Currently, he is Canon for Music at Cleveland’s historic Trinity Cathedral and Conductor of the Trinity Chamber Orchestra.

About Our Board President

Valerie Clausen has played second violin with the DPO since 2003 and been a member of its board of directors since 2007. Her previous non-profit leadership experience includes 5 years on the board of Habitat for Humanity of Yellowstone County and three years on the board of the Billings Symphony Orchestra, both in Montana.

Valerie spent sixteen years in print and radio journalism, including three years as news host of National Public Radio’s Morning Edition and All Things Considered at Yellowstone Public Radio.

Listen to the DPO

Upcoming Concert

Friday, February 19, 2010 • 7:30 pm
Featuring Young Artist Concerto Competition Winners
KPOF Hall

Abigail Travers, cello
Emily Switzer, violin
Alexander Raab, violin
Dr. Russell Guyver, guest conductor

Haydn - Cello Concerto in D Major, Allegro moderato
Tchaikowsky - Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 35, Allegro moderato
Lalo - Symphonie Espagnole, Rondo
Berlioz - Symphonie Fantastique