Posted August 1, 2025
August Theme | #TakeAStand
At Denver Philharmonic Orchestra, we believe music has the power to change and shape lives. Particularly for developing young minds, the arts are more than enrichment; they’re a powerful tool for growth, expression, and opportunity.
It’s fitting, then, that we kick off our monthly Take a Stand series with Youth Empowerment. As the next generation grows before our eyes, we’re committed to ensuring their access to classical music remains open, meaningful, and (above all) positively joyful.
The Proof is in the Piccolo
Introducing music to our youth may be one of the most valuable things we can do as stewards of the next generation. The impact that it can have on cognitive, social, and emotional development is truly profound.
But don’t just take our (admittedly biased but scientifically researched) word for it. Studies show:
Teens involved in music are 4x more likely to be recognized for academic achievement, 3x more likely to have strong attendance, and 3x more likely to go to college, even among low-income students
(President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, 2011)
Learning music boosts language skills, memory, emotional awareness, and thinking abilities, especially for students already strong in learning
(Müllensiefen et al., 2022; PCAH, 2011)
Students in arts clubs or with regular arts engagement see better reading and math scores, more positive relationships, and fewer issues with delinquency and substance use
(PCAH, 2011)
Arts engagement reduces anxiety and increases resilience, especially in underserved communities
(President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, 2011)
Each additional year of arts education is linked to a 20% drop in the chance of out-of-school suspension
(Art Works)
Students randomly selected for arts experiences showed increased tolerance, empathy, and interest in school
(Bowen & Kisida, 2019)
Music participation is linked to improved self-esteem, discipline, and confidence, and contributes to identity development during adolescence
(Hallam, 2010)
Our Commitment
Beyond the statistics, there’s a testimony for the power of music on stage at every concert.
Our musicians (many of them volunteers working traditional nine-to-fives) grew up with their instruments and never let them go. Our founder, Antonia Brico, created Denver Philharmonic Orchestra (then the Denver Businessmen’s Orchestra) to serve these people: talented community musicians from all manner of backgrounds who craved a place to play and continue to share their love for the art.
Now, we’re passing the baton to the next generation.
To make sure cost never stands between young people and the life-changing power of music, we offer free tickets to anyone 18-and-under through our YOUTHTix program. Plus, to make the experience even more inviting, we fill our concert lobbies with fun, family-friendly activities (like instrument petting zoos, mini golf, arts and crafts, visits from Santa, costume contests, and more) helping classical music feel as playful and inclusive as it is inspiring.
We’ve also partnered with:
- Big Brothers Big Sisters, providing 30 free matinee tickets per concert for bigs and littles
- El Sistema Colorado, where several DPO musicians serve as mentors to young music students from underrepresented communities
At a time when arts funding in schools continues to decline, too many young people are shut out of cultural spaces that could inspire, empower, and support them.
We’re here to say: music is for everyone. Empowering youth through music is one of the most direct ways to invest in equity, belonging, and the creative future we all share.
Take a Stand with Us
- Donate to support free youth access, music education, and outreach
- Download one of our Take a Stand badges, use #TakeAStand and tag @denverphilorch (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok & Bluesky) to share how music has shaped you or your child’s life
- Get in touch and partner with us if your organization supports youth in our community
Sources:
Art Works. (n.d.). The Arts and Achievement in At-Risk Youth: Findings from Four Longitudinal Studies. National Endowment for the Arts. https://www.arts.gov/sites/default/files/Arts-At-Risk-Youth.pdf
Bowen, D. H., & Kisida, B. (2019, February 7). New evidence of the benefits of arts education. Brookings Institution. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/new-evidence-of-the-benefits-of-arts-education/
Hallam, S. (2010). The power of music: Its impact on the intellectual, social and personal development of children and young people. International Journal of Music Education, 28(3), 269–289. https://doi.org/10.1177/0255761410370658
Müllensiefen, D., Gingras, B., Musil, J., & Stewart, L. (2022). Musical development during adolescence: Perceptual skills, cognitive resources, and musical training. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1518(1), 264–283. https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.14837
President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. (2011). Reinvesting in arts education: Winning America’s future through creative schools. https://www.pcah.gov/sites/default/files/PCAH_Reinvesting_4web.pdf