greeley philharmonic youth orchestra

Our History

The first Greeley Philharmonic Junior Orchestra was founded in 1947. Some of these members went on to become performers and music educators.

Beginning in 2021, the GPYO was launched through a collaboration of the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra, faculty at the University of Northern Colorado’s School of Music, and our regional orchestra educator community with the aim of bringing a high-quality school-age orchestra to northern Colorado. This was made possible through the Littler Youth Fund grant by the Weld Community Foundation.

Our Mission

The GPYO serves to feature our region’s most accomplished young musicians and to help students and parents experience the exciting and deeply meaningful world of symphonic music. In this ensemble, students will improve all aspects of their musicianship, as well as learn professional etiquette, rehearsal techniques, and how to develop and maintain professional friendships while being held to the highest musical standard.

Staff Information

gpyo@greeleyphil.org

Greeley Philharmonic Youth Orchestra Director retired from teaching orchestra in Greeley Evans School District 6 in 2020 after more than 30 years of service in just about every secondary school in Greeley. He was primarily the director of orchestras at Greeley Central High School where the program increased in size during his tenure and received superior ratings for excellence for over three decades. In 2000 the GCHS Symphony Orchestra was showcased at the Colorado Music Educator's Convention as one of the finest orchestras in the state. Mr. Azari also traveled and toured extensively with the orchestra having performed in Los Angeles, New York City, and in Europe five times including performances in Dublin's St. Patrick's Cathedral, Paris, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Vatican City and the Czech Republic-where the orchestra was the first American orchestra to perform following the fall of the Berlin Wall. Mr. Azari also taught violin with the Union Colony Children's Music Academy and with the University of Northern Colorado String Project where he was recognized as an outstanding music educator.

Starting his music career as a violist, Mr. Azari has performed professionally for over 30 years with many orchestras throughout the region including the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra, the Fort Collins Symphony Orchestra, the Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra and the Greeley Chamber Orchestra where he performed as a soloist and was given the honor to conduct the orchestra as well. Mr. Azari has performed many times as a pit musician in various operas and musicals including his first professional performance with the musical South Pacific almost 50 years ago. He has also conducted pit orchestras for You're a Good Man Charlie Brown, Little Shop of Horrors, Oliver, South Pacific and 1776. In addition to Doran Azari's performance and teaching activities, he was the festival manager of the Breckenridge Music Institute and Festival "Bach, Beethoven and Breckenridge" for two years. He also served for 10 years in the Colorado Army National Guard-first as a member of A­ team 536 of the 5th Battalion Special Forces (Green Berets), and then as a US Army officer and company commander with the 140th Signal Battalion and finally as an officer with the Selective Service Administration. Mr. Azari serves on many volunteer boards including the Union Colony Civic Center Advisory Board, the UCCC Backstage Stars, the Greeley Chamber Orchestra, the Greeley Arts Legacy, and he is a member of the Historic Preservation Commission for Greeley. He lives in Greeley with his wife Kathy who plays oboe in the Greeley Chamber Orchestra and who herself has had a long and distinguished music career both as a performer and educator.

Have questions? Email the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra staff at info@greeleyphil.org

The GPYO is sponsored by Phyllis Eaton and Allo Fiber.