Meet Devin Patrick Hughes | Conductor, Music Director, Symphonic Catalyst

We had the good fortune of connecting with Devin Patrick Hughes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Devin Patrick, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking.
You have to go for it. When you dream big, or have a vision to make your community a better place, or the world a better place, there will be many obstacles in your way. One can easily give up, or listen to critiques, and get sidetracked. If you are clear on your vision, purpose, and can always keep the big picture in place, there is no limit to how positively you can change the world.

When I founded the Boulder Symphony, we had one vision, to make the orchestra accessible to as many as possible. With a unified vision, the steps to bring that vision to life present themselves: Create sustainability for artists, professionals, musicians, and educators to support our vision. We have been very fortunate to bring tens of thousands of new audience members in to experience the symphony first hand. We play music by many living composers from all cultures, and reimagine the relationship between Symphony and Community. Our music school serves over 100 students, and all students are able to play an instrument and connect with the Symphony, regardless of income.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I love making the orchestra relatable to anyone I meet. I discovered the symphony at the age of 3, and at all the most difficult times in my life, it has given me connection to a greater purpose, a unified world. Music tells us that through anything we face, we are not alone. This is why my life’s work has been centered around sharing this with as many as possible.

Through the work with my amazing orchestras, Boulder Symphony & Music Academy, and Arapahoe Philharmonic: Symphony of the Rockies, I have been fortunate to reach thousands of kids per season with our Discovery and Curiosity concert, where the students get to participate in the plot, songs, dance, and characters in a way that no other orchestra provides. This lays a foundation for participating in culture and the arts for their entire lives.

We also have been able to showcase young, diverse, local, and international artists, and premiere many works right here in Colorado, which gives those in our community connection to living artists that are creating new works and ideas. My podcast One Symphony, gives a voice and platform to composers, performers and other music entrepreneurs who are shaping the field to be more community and audience friendly and accessible.

For anyone who wants to rock the status quo or create relevance in their industry, it is never easy. Many are adverse to change, and prevailing power structures will fight to keep their status and the old ways. I think it’s important to persevere at all costs. At many times in my career it would have been easy to give up and give in to the system, but I have been fortunate to have colleagues, friends, and family that has always been supportive. When communities see something different, something that welcomes and inspires them, it is easy to grow your cause.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
A few top spots are Wild Pastures for a great burger, Botanical Gardens for a beautiful afternoon, hikes on the foothills/flatirons, check out One Dojo for awesome body and mind exercise, and concerts with Boulder Symphony and Arapahoe Philharmonic, Symphony of the Rockies!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have to shoutout to all the musicians who make it possible for us to share the orchestra with our community. These symphony members come from all walks of life: the are professional musicians who’s livelihoods depend on our success, music educators, and other members of the community who want to play at a world class level. We all push ourselves to be the best we can be and support each other in the process.

Our board of directors are volunteers from around our community who recognize how music can change people’s lives forever. They devote hundreds of hours per year to grow the orchestra and make a wider reach possible.

Image Credits
Credit Arapahoe Philharmonic & Boulder Symphony