Posted August 3, 2026
August Theme | #TakeAStand
A year ago, we launched Take A Stand to celebrate the people, partnerships, and values that shape the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra beyond the concert stage. Each month, we shine a light on a different part of that commitment, from accessibility and affordability to environmental stewardship and community service.
As we begin another year of the series, we’re returning to where our monthly journey began: Youth Empowerment.
Every season, we watch children experience their first live orchestra, meet musicians, try an instrument for the first time, or discover that the concert hall is a place where they belong. Those moments may last only an afternoon, but their impact can last a lifetime.
Because before someone becomes a performer, a patron, a volunteer, or a lifelong advocate for the arts, they first have to believe there’s a place for them in it.
The Evidence Continues to Grow
Music education doesn’t just create musicians. It helps young people flourish academically, socially, and emotionally.
Recent studies show:
Students who regularly participate in music and other arts activities demonstrate stronger academic performance over time
(Ishiguro et al., 2023)
Music education supports adolescent well-being, helping young people develop emotional resilience, confidence, and a stronger sense of belonging alongside musical skills
(Ilari et al., 2023)
Sustained arts education improves creative thinking while also supporting academic achievement
(Egana-delSol, 2023)
Music training continues to strengthen memory, language, emotional awareness, and cognitive development throughout adolescence
(Müllensiefen et al., 2022)
Passing the Baton
Those findings come to life every time the lights dim at a DPO concert.
Many of our musicians began playing their instruments as children. Like so many young artists, they found mentors, encouragement, and opportunities that helped transform curiosity into a lifelong passion.
Today, they’re helping create those same opportunities for the next generation.
Through our YOUTHTix program, every concert is free for anyone 18 and younger because we believe cost should never prevent a young person from experiencing live classical music.
We also work hard to make every concert feel welcoming from the moment families walk through the doors. Instrument petting zoos, arts and crafts, mini golf, costume contests, holiday activities, and other lobby experiences help create an environment where curiosity is encouraged and classical music feels approachable, playful, and fun.
Several DPO musicians volunteer as mentors with El Sistema Colorado, supporting young musicians from underrepresented communities as they develop both their musical abilities and their confidence. If you’ve attended concerts like Fright Night or Holiday Cheer, you’ve probably seen El Sistema students performing in our lobby before the concert, offering audiences a glimpse of the next generation of musicians.
We’re also proud to partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado, providing complimentary matinee tickets so Bigs and Littles can experience live music together and build lasting memories.
These partnerships remind us that empowering young people isn’t the work of one organization. It happens when educators, artists, nonprofits, families, and communities all come together to invest in their future.
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:
Egana-delSol, Pablo. “The Impacts of a High-School Art-Based Program on Academic Achievements, Creativity, and Creative Behaviors.” npj Science of Learning, vol. 8, no. 39, 2023, Springer Nature, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41539-023-00187-6.
Ilari, Beatriz, et al. “Music Participation and Positive Youth Development in Middle School Students.” Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 13, 2023, https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1069832.
Ishiguro, Chiaki, Toru Ishihara, and Noriteru Morita. “Extracurricular Music and Visual Arts Activities Are Related to Academic Performance Improvement in School-Aged Children.” npj Science of Learning, vol. 8, no. 7, 2023, Springer Nature, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41539-023-00155-0.
Müllensiefen, Daniel, Bruno Gingras, Jakub Musil, and Lauren Stewart. “Musical Development During Adolescence: Perceptual Skills, Cognitive Resources, and Musical Training.” Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, vol. 1518, no. 1, 2022, pp. 264-283, https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.14837.