Editor’s note: This story was updated to correct information about the origin of the National Repertory Orchestra’s host program and Dave DePeters’ accolades.

The musicians at the National Repertory Orchestra in Breckenridge say it feels like they are always learning something new about the nonprofit’s leader Dave DePeters, who has a storied career in music. 

Violinist Amelia Bailey laughed recalling learning DePeters knew how to herd cattle on horseback. One of clarinetist Najee Greenlee’s favorite “crazy random” DePeters facts is he was once voted top 100 ski instructors in the nation. 

DePeters has spent decades in classical music, appearing in some of the nation’s most respected orchestras. He took over the reins of the National Repertory Orchestra in 2017. In doing so, he took on a role less involved with the music itself and more focused on how the organization should be run. 

This year, 24 musicians returned to the orchestra after playing in previous years, which DePeters said is a record number. Musicians say it’s because they are being offered something they can’t find anywhere else, and DePeters has a lot to do with it.

Kindness, community and culture

Bailey describes the culture at National Repertory Orchestra to be “familial,” something she heard about before even setting foot in Breckenridge. Raised by professional musicians, she said music has been in her life for as long as she can remember. She said she was told she was played pieces by famed German composer Johann Sebastian Bach in the womb and was first handed a violin at 3-years-old.

She knew of the National Repertory Orchestra because it’s where her parents’ friends met and later married in a wedding where she served as the flower girl. 

She said from the staff and guest conductors DePeters chooses each season to the fellow musicians awarded spots, the effort to stack the organization with people who bring positivity to the table is clear.  

Cellist Andrew Shinn said it’s the empathy DePeters helms the organization with that stands out to him. 

“He’s been where we are, he’s also been 10 years down the line from where we are now and even 30 years down the line from where we are,” he said. “He really values setting people up for success for all parts of that journey, and I think he really leads with encouragement and kindness.” 

Greenlee said DePeters’ take steps to make the musicians feel a part of the Summit County’s community fabric, and one of the ways he does that is through the host family program.

Locals volunteer to be “host families” for the summer to help musicians acclimate by showing them around and taking them under their wings. The host program predates the organization’s arrival in Breckenridge and aims to have the musicians feel like they immersed in the community. DePeters said host families are “incredible connective tissue” that keeps musicians wanting to return. He said the bonds often remain strong between musicians and their families and there’s been cases where they attend their weddings. 

Greenlee said his host family takes him on hikes, out to meals and even to productions at Breckenridge Backstage Theatre. Bailey came out to visit her host family from her first season with the National Repertory Orchestra and requested them again this year.

Pulling from positive industry trends

Musicians report a culture of inclusivity at the NRO — and that’s by design.

DePeters said he’s worked to take the organization in a direction that focuses on the 21st century musician, and he said much of the classic music industry is starting to think this way. He explains the previous notion many held where it was assumed someone has to come from wealth to get into classical music is starting to dissipate with resources becoming available to more people as the industry makes more efforts to be inclusive. He highlighted organizations like the Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles, who provides free instruments and instruction to youth, and the Sphinx Orchestra in Detroit, which provides full scholarships for its programs. 

DePeters said the inclusion push from the industry is just bringing more talented musicians out of the woodwork, noting “why wouldn’t we go out and get our talent pool from everybody.” 

Where other orchestra festivals can cost musicians $10,000 to $12,000 to participate in to boost their skills and notoriety, the National Repertory Orchestra is free for musicians. DePeters said the nonprofit relies on donations, and the community steps up to help make this orchestra accessible.

‘Excellence is part of the gig’

Shinn said the nature of the National Repertory Orchestra’s jam-packed summer schedule puts musicians in a fast-paced environment that helps them hone skills useful in an orchestra environment. He said musicians are performing potentially more often than they would in other summer orchestra festivals, with shows 2-4 times a week for eight weeks straight. He said National Repertory Orchestra alumni are able to adapt to other high-expectation environments because of it. 

Music director Michael Stern — who DePeters said is another major draw to the organization given his status as a leader in the classical music industry — said the fast-paced environment is by design. He said part of it is providing numerous opportunities for locals to enjoy class musicals across the county because that’s one of the organization’s overarching goals. It also puts young musicians in the shoes of professional musicians, he said. 

“The amount of repertoire that they go through in eight weeks is astonishing. No other program (similar to ours) even touches that,” he said.

“The commitment to maintain that standard of high professionalism and excellence is part of the gig,” he added.

It’s Stern’s and DePeters’s industry connections that provide musicians with the opportunity to work with world-class conductors that may have been unattainable to learn from otherwise.

Greenlee said he felt lucky to get to work with Carl Topilow, the founding conductor of the Cleveland Pops Youth Orchestra and Denver Young Artists Orchestra. Bailey said she’s looking forward to working with JoAnn Falletta, a multi-Grammy awarding winning conductor who the New York Times deemed to be one of the best of her generation.

DePeters said each year the auditions that come across their desk get better and better, and it’s a big deal 24 alumni made it to the top of the list with almost 900 auditions.

“People are still working extraordinarily hard to come here every year,” he said. “I think it speaks to the organization and the culture, the community and the beauty of Breckenridge and of Summit County.”

The National Repertory’s summer schedule can be found at NRomusic.org/event-calendar/. The nonprofit offers both free and paid shows.