Dan Frantz

Dan Frantz (Daniel Albrecht Frantz) is the founder and long-time conductor of the Greeley Chamber Orchestra. He founded this all-volunteer orchestra and choir in 1981 and has served as its principal conductor for over four decades. He studied trumpet at the University of Northern Colorado and learned to conduct under the legendary Antonia Brico.

Dan Frantz’s classical music history is rooted in a unique blend of early mentorship by world-class icons and a deep determination to pursue performance alongside his primary medical studies. As a young junior high student in Denver, Frantz attended a performance of the Brico Symphony at Phipps Auditorium to see his band teacher play. There, he witnessed the legendary Dr. Antonia Brico conduct.

By 1980, Frantz was performing trumpet directly under Brico in her symphony. Recognizing his passion, the trailblazing maestro—who was the first woman to conduct the Berlin Philharmonic and New York Philharmonic—took him under her wing. He studied conducting and music closely with her from 1980 until her passing in 1989, attributing much of his modern style and skill to her mentorship.

Frantz built the all-volunteer group into a staple of the local arts scene. He intentionally focused the ensemble's programming on champions of local, contemporary composers alongside lesser-known Baroque and Classical era masterpieces. Beyond his own baton, Frantz spent decades working as an adjudicator for regional musical contests, heavily supporting music programs across local public schools.