Our mission is to perform orchestral music that will educate, entertain, and inspire the people of Parker, our musicians, and the surrounding Denver-area communities.
The Parker Symphony Orchestra is a volunteer community orchestra that performs at the PACE center in Parker, Colorado from October to May. Founded in 1994, our 2024-25 season will be our 31st year together. Formerly the South Suburban Community Orchestra, we became the Parker Symphony Orchestra in 2011.
One of our best collaborations over the years has been our holiday programs shared with the Parker Chorale. Get your tickets early to that one because generally all three performances sell out. In our past season we performed some truly great literature; Beethoven’s Violin Concerto with Yumi Hwang-Williams (Concertmaster of the Colorado Symphony) as soloist. Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony, “El Salon Mexico” by Aaron Copland, and “Danzon #2” by Arturo Marquez. In 2024-25 we will perform George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” featuring Katie Mahan as soloist. In February of 2025 we will present “Symphonic Metamorphosis” by Paul Hindemith and our final concert in May will feature Antonin Dvorak’s “New World Symphony.”
Except for our Music Director, René Knetsch, and our Concertmaster, the musicians of the PSO are all volunteers. Musicians wishing to audition for the orchestra can do so at our pre-season auditions in August or throughout the year. The PSO rehearses on Wednesday evenings at Cherry Creek High School and of course, our dress rehearsals and concerts are at the PACE center in Parker.
The Parker Symphony Orchestra is looking forward to our 2025-2026 Thirty First Season. We hope that you will join us as we present a variety of exciting classical music to our Parker area audiences.
EVENTS (2025-26 SEASON)
America the Beautiful
The first in this season’s PSO concert series features American composers whose works take us on a musical exploration through some of our nation’s greatest scenic wonders, from the rugged forests of the Appalachians to the awe-inspiring vastness of the Grand Canyon, and beyond.
- America the Beautiful – Ward/Reed
- Cascadian Concerto (Woodwind Quintet/Orchestra) – Eric Ezewan
- Lyric for Strings – George Walker
- On the Trail from Grand Canyon Suite – Ferde Grofe
- Knoxville, Summer of 1915 (Nadya Hill, Soprano) – Samuel Barber
- Appalachian Spring – Aaron Copland
Friday, October 10, 2025 | 7:30 pm
PACE Center
20000 Pikes Peak Ave. Parker, CO 80138
A Classic Parker Holiday
A Classic Parker Holiday, featuring Parker Symphony Orchestra & Parker Chorale
Tickets: Online booking opens July 22.
The annual holiday tradition continues as the Parker Chorale and Parker Symphony Orchestra join together for a performance that includes traditional carols, familiar songs, and a few surprises in this cherished seasonal celebration!
Saturday, December 6, 2025 | 2:30 pm
Saturday, December 6, 2025 | 7:30 pm
Sunday, December 7, 2025 | 2:30 pm
PACE Center
20000 Pikes Peak Ave. Parker, CO 80138
Awe-Inspiring American Women
Join the PSO as we celebrate early and contemporary female American composers and the integral role played by women in American symphonic history. Selections include compositions by Florence Price, Joan Tower, and other leading figures who have pushed boundaries and continue to shape the sound of American music, inspiring generations of composers.
- Fanfare for the Uncommon Woman #1 (Brass) – Joan Tower
- Entr’acte (Strings) – Carolyn Shaw
- Tzigane (Woodwind Quintet) – Valerie Coleman
- Symphony in E Minor, Op. 32, “Gaelic” (III. Lento con molto espressione) – Amy Beach
- Symphony #1 – Florence Price
Friday, February 20, 2026 | 7:30 pm
PACE Center
20000 Pikes Peak Ave. Parker, CO 80138
American Cinema
The April concert will focus on famous American composers who composed music for film scores, along with other genres. The number of awards they have earned among them is huge, and they are famous not only in the US, but around the world.
- The Cowboys Overture – John Williams
- Three Pieces from Schindler’s List (Luyan Gao, Violin) – John Williams
- The Big Country – Jerome Moross
- On the Town – Leonard Bernstein
- American in Paris – George Gershwin
- Mambo from West Side Story – Leonard Bernstein
Friday, April 17, 2026 | 7:30 PM
Location TBA
Tickets link to be published.
Celebrating America
Weeks away from July 4th – the 250th anniversary of the adoption of The Declaration of Independence – and just three days before Memorial Day, the PSO’s season finale concert celebrates America and honors the service and sacrifice of our country’s military personnel and their families through works by Aaron Copland, John Philip Sousa, and more. In celebration of Colorado’s own 150th birthday, the concert will also feature music by Colorado native, composer and conductor, Chris Pilsner.
- Star Spangled Banner – John Stafford Smith
- Fanfare for the Common Man 2015 (Brass/Percussion) – Aaron Copland
- Snow Falling in Autumn (Strings) – Chris Pilsner
- Lincoln Portrait – Aaron Copland
- Victory at Sea – Richard Rodgers
- Hymn to the Fallen (with vocalists from the Parker Chorale) – John Williams
- Variations on America – Charles Ives
- Liberty Bell March – John Philip Sousa
Friday, May 22, 2026 | 7:30 PM
PACE Center
20000 Pikes Peak Ave. Parker, CO 80138