Artistic Director and Conductor of Symphony of the Rockies Devin Patrick Hughes’ passion for symphonic music is as palpable as his red shoes. Think of the dramatic opening of Beethoven’s Symphony Number 5, its strings hitting each note of this well-known melody with conviction and urgency. Or Mozart’s Symphony 40 in G-minor’s galloping, almost optimistic beginning.
Hughes holds his conductor's baton with an almost tentative grip as if a simple flick might dislodge it and the delicate rotation of his wrist like that of a calligrapher. This visual restraint, alongside the music, builds tension and anticipation for the audience. Suddenly, his arms rise toward the heavens with the crescendo of the violins, the bass of the percussion, and the triumph of the brass.
In as much as Hughes' presence on the stage belies the cliché of a wild-haired conductor, he is very much a conductor for the 21st century. He aims to modernize and expand the reach of symphonic music, where orchestras are active, accessible cultural hubs, bridging traditional music with diverse, modern American experiences.
American orchestral music is truly a melting pot of many cultures, Hughes tells us. “Our European predecessors brought symphonic music to the new world, but today, American symphonic music blends influences from African American and Native American musical traditions.”
Hughes recognizes that conducting requires sensitivity to a specific score’s cultural history, as most music was composed in response to current cultural events. His lifelong pursuit to “democratize symphonic music," to make orchestral music appealing to the masses, informs his work.
Hughes values innovation in orchestral programs, from adding multimedia and popular music to engaging audiences through novel formats like candlelight performances or yoga-infused sessions.
Additionally, Hughes hosts a podcast that explores classical music’s relevance in our modern lives. With titles like Trace Bundy Guitarist & Acoustic Ninja and Cracking Tchaikovsky Nuts (in reference to The Nutcracker), Hughes appeals to listeners beyond the typical orchestral audience.
Hughes’ upbringing itself is a fusion of cultures and identities. He grew up in Springfield, Ill., the son of an American father of Irish descent and a Guatemalan mother. His father served on the board of the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, where at times, he witnessed the stuffy atmosphere of classical performances that deterred newcomers, inspiring him to make symphonic music more accessible.
His formal education includes a bachelor's degree from Grinnell College, studies at the Vienna Conservatory, and two graduate degrees in music and conducting: an M.A. from Ithaca College and an artist diploma from the DU Lamont School of Music.
He currently serves as the Artistic Director and Conductor of Symphony of the Rockies (formerly Arapahoe Philharmonic) and Music Director and Conductor of the Boulder Symphony & Music Academy. Previously, he held artistic leadership positions with the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, Santa Fe Youth Symphony Association, Denver Young Artists Orchestra, and Denver Philharmonic Orchestra.
Hughes acknowledges the challenges of appealing to contemporary audiences with shorter attention spans. His management merges symphonic traditions with the entrepreneurial spirit of America, making music relevant and engaging through creative programming, community involvement, and effective marketing.
“Breaking down barriers between the orchestra and its audience through children’s programs and school engagements,” Hughes hopes to “foster this generation’s love for classical music, sharing the transformative power of music’s emotional resonance.”
Whether he is conducting his version of the Three B’s, Beethoven, Brahms, & Brittany, Hughes substitutes contemporary American composer Brittany Green for Bach, or Epic Love: From Shakespeare to Superheroes, which includes Verdi’s La Traviata alongside Rogers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma, Hughes is ever innovating to bring his beloved symphonic music to the masses.
For more information on tickets and support, visit symphonyrockies.org
Nearby Upcoming Performances:
7:30 PM
Saturday, February 8
Lone Tree Arts Center
Agree to Disagree Children’s Discovery Concert
11:00 AM
Thursday, February 27
DCSD Legacy Campus Theater
Symphony of the Rockies Gala, A Bridgerton Affair
6:00 PM
Saturday, May 3
University of Denver, Knoebel Tuscan Ballroom
8:00 PM
Thursday, July 3
Breckenridge Brewery Farm House