Nathan Newbrough, the new executive director of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, was hired to bring a fresh outlook and enthusiasm to a group that has struggled in the past.

He appears determined to do just that.

Newbrough, 34, is a rising star on the classical music scene. He aims to bring fresh perspective and some youthful optimism to the philharmonic.

The organization was created from the ashes of the bankrupt Colorado Springs Symphony Orchestra in 2002 and has struggled with financial uncertainty ever since.

Newbrough says it's time to usher in a new era of hope and progress.

"We can't deny that the bankruptcy happened, and we're working every day to embrace the lessons learned from that period," Newbrough said. "But to bemoan those days and to continue talking about it, that prevents us from moving forward. We need to move from survival mode to thriving mode."

Besides a fresh point of view, Newbrough brings with him a successful track record in the symphony orchestra business.

A saxophone player growing up, Newbrough went to college planning to become a music teacher but changed his mind after falling in love with the business side of the industry.

After graduating, he worked with the League of American Orchestras and led the Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes in Corning, N.Y., before hitting his professional stride as executive director with the Amarillo Symphony in Amarillo, Texas.

While in Amarillo, Newbrough oversaw the construction of a world-class performance hall, aided in the search for a new music director and boosted ticket sales.

He wasn't planning on going anywhere until a member of the philharmonic's search team approached him about the open executive director job a few months ago.

Familiar with the Colorado Springs area and the philharmonic's situation, he flew out to hear the symphony perform.

"Hearing them play was amazing," he said. "It really made me take a breath and say, ‘I can do this.'"

The philharmonic's search committee agreed, hiring Newbrough in June. Tim Stack, president of the philharmonic's board, said Newbrough's youth and openness to new ideas were big factors in the selection.

"We're in an industry where we're very much looking for innovation as a way to grow and bring in the next generation of supporters of orchestra music," he said. "Nathan stood out because he was the youngest, but also because he didn't really bring the kind of experience that would bias him from being a change leader."

Since starting his new job in August, Newbrough has made significant strides. He immediately filled key positions in marketing and development that had been sitting vacant. He's also been spending lots of time meeting members of the community, working on the Web site and planning shows with music director Lawrence Leighton Smith, who says he couldn't be happier.

"He's terrific, like a breath of fresh air," Smith said. "He makes the atmosphere sparkle. I'm just really taken with this man."

Though he's not ready to reveal some of his bigger plans for the organization, Newbrough said his goals include securing stable sources of funding, boosting community support and expanding the philharmonic's audience base. He admits that none of those goals will be easy.

The organization faces many challenges, including the ongoing economic downturn, which could have a negative effect on ticket sales as well as corporate sponsorships. But Newbrough says his plans are far from impossible.

"Everybody who knows the organization well has done their best to convince me I'm going to have a lousy time, and I refuse to believe it," he said. "It's not productive to think that way, and it discounts the massive amount of assets this organization has.

There's no reason this city can't support a first-class symphony orchestra."

He and his wife, Marie, and their 2-year-old daughter, Sarah, have been spending their time house hunting and exploring the local arts scene. Newbrough says they've been impressed with what they've seen.

"I get a general feeling of distress and frustration when talking to members of the arts community," he said. "But really, the sky is not falling. The arts community here is incredibly strong. People would love to live in a community like Colorado Springs, where the arts are so rich and people understand."

Newbrough says he's hoping some of that understanding can be focused on the philharmonic. While the orchestra has amazing musicians and great leadership, it won't be able to accomplish anything without community support, he said.

"This community can expect us to live up to its expectations, but what we need to be successful is their support," he said. "For those who were past supporters of the philharmonic (symphony), I would say, now's the time to get back on board, because it's a whole new day."