Nathan Newbrough

Nathan Newbrough serves as President and CEO of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, bringing a deep respect for legacy and a clear-eyed responsibility to steward the institution forward. He is guided by a belief that great live music awakens the spirit, strengthens civic life, and binds a community across generations.

With more than two decades in symphonic leadership, Newbrough began his career at the League of American Orchestras, overseeing artistic services, national composer awards, conductor training programs, and the Music Assistance Fund supporting Black and Latinx collegiate musicians. He entered executive leadership at age 25 as Executive Director of the Greenwich Village Orchestra in New York City, followed by senior roles with the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes in Corning, New York, and the Amarillo Symphony.

In Amarillo, he helped guide the planning and opening of the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, more than doubled subscription and contributed revenue, and led the orchestra through four consecutive sold-out seasons, laying foundations designed to endure beyond his tenure.

Newbrough was appointed President and CEO of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic in 2008, at a pivotal moment following the organization’s bankruptcy. From the outset, he articulated three enduring principles (Service, Excellence, and Permanence) that continue to shape decision-making, culture, and long-term planning.

Over the course of his career, Newbrough has driven more than $130 million in revenue for the orchestras he has led. In Colorado Springs, season ticket participation has more than doubled, placing the Philharmonic among the rare U.S. orchestras deriving more than 55 percent of revenue from ticket sales. Philanthropy has grown through trust-based relationships with patrons and initiatives such as the Maestro’s Circle. With an eye firmly on the future, Newbrough also led the creation of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic Foundation and tripled the endowment through a transformational leadership gift from the estate of John and Margot Lane.

A music educator by training and a musician at heart, Newbrough is a committed advocate for professional musicians and the sustainability of the orchestral profession itself. Under his leadership, musician compensation has risen steadily, with service fees increasing more than 50 percent since 2008. “The work isn’t finished,” he notes, “but stewardship means progress that lasts.”

In 2024, a long-held vision for generational audience investment came to life with the launch of the Center for Future Audiences. Built around Creative Discovery, Amateur Artistry, and Artistic Ventures, the Center reflects a defining belief: institutions that nurture creativity today ensure relevance tomorrow.

The Colorado Springs Philharmonic has been recognized with the Award for Excellence in Local Industry from the Colorado Springs Economic Development Corporation and the Award for Excellence in the Nonprofit Sector from the Colorado Springs Regional Business Alliance. Newbrough has served on numerous civic and nonprofit boards, contributing to the region’s cultural, civic, and economic vitality.

Outside the concert hall, Nathan is a runner and Masters swimmer who also spends time riding (and, just as often, fixing) his 1977 Honda Gold Wing and working with his hands on home projects. He is a proud husband to Rachel and the lucky dad of two remarkable young people, Sarah and Eva.