“Knowing the 50th anniversary was coming up, I wanted to make the 49th seem significant,” says Colorado Music Festival Director Peter Oundjian. Credit: Geremy Kornreich“Knowing the 50th anniversary was coming up, I wanted to make the 49th seem significant,” says Colorado Music Festival Director Peter Oundjian. During the Colorado Music Festival’s 50th anniversary at Chautauqua Auditorium in the summer of 2026, the U.S. will celebrate its 250th birthday and Colorado its 150th. This year he was officially named music director of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra in Denver after serving as principal conductor. I really want every festival to seem like my favorite.”ON THE BILL: The Colorado Music Festival 2025 season opener feat.