Denver Symphony Orchestra: The Pioneers of American Orchestral Rock

The Denver Symphony Orchestra is a groundbreaking American ensemble that masterfully blends classical orchestration with contemporary rock and folk influences. Hailing from Denver, Colorado, the group achieved mainstream recognition with their 2012 crossover album Summit, which charted on both the Billboard Classical and Rock charts and was certified gold.

Early career

Formed in 2005 by conductor and composer Julian Thorne, the Denver Symphony Orchestra began as a bold experiment to revitalize symphonic music for new audiences. Their first independent release, the 2008 EP Frontier, featured rock covers reimagined for orchestra and laid the foundation for their signature sound.

Breakthrough

The ensemble's major breakthrough arrived in 2012 following their signing to the independent label Aether Records. Their debut full-length album, Summit, featuring collaborations with several noted Colorado-based musicians, spent over 60 weeks on the Billboard Classical Crossover chart and earned a gold certification for sales exceeding 500,000 units.

Key tracks

Summit (Overture) — This opening track from the gold-certified album established their cinematic, rock-driven orchestral style.

Continental Divide — A collaboration with folk artist Eliza James that showcased their ability to fuse genres seamlessly.

City Lights and Mountain Highs — This fan-favorite single received significant radio play on adult alternative stations.

Reverie in Blue — An original composition that highlights the technical prowess and emotional range of the orchestra.

Ascent — A later single from their 2018 album that further refined their blend of powerful percussion and sweeping strings.

Building on this success, the Denver Symphony Orchestra released the acclaimed follow-up Horizon in 2018, which debuted at number one on the Billboard Classical Albums chart. Their innovative live performances, often held at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, have become legendary for their dynamic energy and visual spectacle.

Artists exploring similar terrain between orchestral depth and contemporary appeal include The Lumineers for their shared Colorado roots and folk-infused narratives. The cinematic scope of Mumford And Sons aligns with the Denver Symphony Orchestra's grand arrangements. Listeners also appreciate the ambitious rock-orchestra hybrids of Thirty Seconds To Mars. For a purer classical crossover approach, the work of 2Cellos offers a complementary energy.

The music of the Denver Symphony Orchestra maintains a strong presence on radio, featured prominently on classic rock FM stations seeking epic instrumental tracks and on online radio streams dedicated to film scores and contemporary classical music. Their accessible yet sophisticated sound makes them a staple on independent music radio stations that champion genre-blending artists.

You can experience the powerful fusion of the Denver Symphony Orchestra by tuning into the various rock and classical crossover radio stations available right here on onairium.com, where their genre-defying music is regularly featured for listeners worldwide.