The Denver Children’s Choir unites the children of Denver through rigorous ensemble music instruction. Children of all races, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds come together to sing, study, and perform choral music in a nurturing and inclusive environment.
Founded in 1995 as the Rocky Mountain Children’s Choir and rebranded in 2016, the Denver Children’s Choir is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with no religious or political affiliations. As a tribute to our founders, we have kept the names of our choir levels tied to the beautiful Rocky Mountains.
Our Neighborhood Choirs offer beginning through advanced-intermediate choral training, starting with Timberline, progressing through Alpine, and culminating with the Summit Singers. Our top-level Premier Choirs feature the Fourteeners (sopranos and altos) and Mountain Aires (tenors and basses), who combine to form Thin Air. Singers in our most elite SATB ensemble, Altitude, must demonstrate strong musical ability, vocal skills, and dedication to the group.
We offer several rehearsal sites for our neighborhood choirs, allowing you to choose the location that is the most convenient for your family:
NEIGHBORHOOD CHOIR LOCATIONS & DATES
Timberline (entry-level ensemble for singers new to singing):
- Barney Ford Elementary (14500 Maxwell Pl, Denver) – Tuesdays 3:00-4:00
- Beach Court Elementary (4950 Beach Ct, Denver) – Wednesdays 3:45-4:45
- Bethany Lutheran Church (4500 East Hampden Avenue, Cherry Hills Village) – Thursdays 5:30-6:30 (beginning in January)
- Bryant Webster Dual Language School (3635 Quivas St, Denver) – Thursdays 3:45-4:45
- Cole Arts & Sciences Academy (East 33rd Avenue, Denver) – Tuesdays 3:45-4:45
- Gust Elementary (3440 W Yale Ave, Denver) – Mondays 2:45-3:45
- Park Hill United Methodist (5209 Montview Blvd, Denver) – Mondays 5:30-6:30
- Samuels Elementary (3985 S Vincennes Ct, Denver) – Thursdays 2:45-3:45
Alpine (advanced-beginning ensemble focused on sight-singing skills & comfort in holding your part in an ensemble):
- Bryant Webster Dual Language School – Mondays 3:50-5:05
- Park Hill United Methodist – Mondays 6:15-7:15
Summit (advanced-intermediate level with more challenging 3-part repertoire, regular performances, and domestic tours every other year):
- First Mennonite Church – 430 W 9th Avenue, Denver – Thursdays 6:00-7:45pm
PREMIER CHOIR LOCATIONS & DATES
Our advanced ensembles that sing a wide variety of musical genres. Fourteeners and Mountain Aires sing together as Thin Air, an SATB ensemble that tours internationally every other year
Fourteeners (soprano and alto voices) & Mountain Aires (tenor & bass voices) – these advanced singers combine to form Thin Air, an ensemble that tours internationally every other year:
- First Mennonite Church – 430 W 9th Avenue, Denver – Tuesdays, 5:45-8:00
Altitude (elite-level SATB ensemble; these singers also sing in Fourteeners or Mountain Aires): - Private home in Park Hill – Sundays, 2:30-5:30
Interested in joining? Please schedule an audition with us! The audition seeks to find the best placement for the singer. A DCC conductor will use casual vocal exercises and conversation to assess an ensemble fit. Singers progress at their own pace, and advance when they are musically and socially ready. We do not turn singers away.
Tuition and Fee Schedule
Please open choir name to see tuition and fees. For a downloadable/printable version, please see Tuition and Fee Schedule.
The DCC has a robust financial assistance program: more than half of our choir members receive some level of financial assistance. Singers on the federal Free Lunch Program pay approximately 10% of our tuition fee, and singers on the Reduced Lunch Program pay approximately 30% of our tuition fee. The Denver Children’s Choir will never turn a child away because they cannot afford to pay tuition.
Timberline
Tuition (Fall Semester): $270
Tuition (Spring Semester): $270
Registration Fee: $30
Materials Fee: $30
Total Annual Cost: $600
Annual Cost with Free Lunch Discount: $87
Annual Cost with Reduced Lunch Discount: $201
Annual Cost with DCC Discount: $429
Alpine
Tuition (Fall Semester): $320
Tuition (Spring Semester): $320
Registration Fee: $30
Materials Fee: $30
Total Annual Cost: $700
Tuition (Fall Semester): $320
Tuition (Spring Semester): $320
Registration Fee: $30
Materials Fee: $30
Total Annual Cost: $700
Summit
Tuition (Fall Semester): $450
Tuition (Spring Semester): $450
Registration Fee: $30
Materials Fee: $40
Total Annual Cost: $970
Annual Cost with Free Lunch Discount: $124
Annual Cost with Reduced Lunch Discount: $312
Annual Cost with DCC Discount: $688
Mountain Aires
Tuition (Fall Semester): $480
Tuition (Spring Semester): $480
Registration Fee: $30
Materials Fee: $50
Total Annual Cost: $1040
Annual Cost with Free Lunch Discount: $131
Annual Cost with Reduced Lunch Discount: $333
Annual Cost with DCC Discount: $737
Fourteeners
Tuition (Fall Semester): $480
Tuition (Spring Semester): $480
Registration Fee: $30
Materials Fee: $50
Total Annual Cost: $1040
Annual Cost with Free Lunch Discount: $131
Annual Cost with Reduced Lunch Discount: $333
Annual Cost with DCC Discount: $737
Altitude
Tuition (Fall Semester): $630
Tuition (Spring Semester): $630
Registration Fee: $30
Materials Fee: $60
Total Annual Cost: $1350
Annual Cost with Free Lunch Discount: $162
Annual Cost with Reduced Lunch Discount: $426
Annual Cost with DCC Discount: $954
Questions Answered
Who are you?
Founded in 1995, the DCC (Denver Children’s Choir formerly named the Rocky Mountain Children’s Choir) is a 501(C)3 non-profit Colorado corporation. We are not affiliated with any other organization, church, school, and /or business.
What do you do?
The Denver Children’s Choir unites the children of greater Denver’s widely diverse communities through rigorous ensemble music instruction. Children of all races, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds come together to sing, study, and perform choral music. Our comprehensive choral music education program brings Denver area children of all ages together in a nurturing and inclusive environment.
Do children need to audition to participate?
Yes. However, the audition is more of a screening process to find the best placement for the singer. A DCC conductor will use simple vocal exercises and conversation to assess an ensemble fit. If a singer shows advanced skills, the singer will meet with a conductor from one of our premier ensembles. Our multi-level ensembles are set up for singers to progress at their own pace; therefore, it is best to assume that your child will spend more than one year at each level until they are musically and socially ready to advance. We do not turn singers away.
When are the performances?
Please see our Performance Calendar page.
DCC prepares for formal concert programs in December and May of each season. Several additional performances are scheduled throughout the year as opportunities become available.
What type of music is performed?
Music includes, but is not limited to, traditional classical works, folk songs, pop music, secular pieces, and diverse sacred selections. Music is inclusive, representing different cultures and often sung in the native language. Since the choir’s inception, songs have been performed in over 30 languages from 47 different countries and traditions.
What is your attendance policy?
Regular attendance is essential since much material is covered during the one rehearsal each week. Two absences are allowed for each singer per semester. Children with poor attendance records will be advised by their conductor if they will or will not be able to sing in performances.
What does it cost?
Please see our Tuition and Fees Schedule.
Is financial assistance available?
Yes, the DCC has a financial assistance program. Aid is provided for tuition, materials, and uniform fees. More than half of our choir members receive some level of financial assistance. Financial aid information is requested in the registration process. Singers on Free Lunch pay approximately 10% of our tuition fee, and singers on Reduced Lunch pay approximately 30% of our tuition fee. The Denver Children’s Choir will never turn a child away because they cannot afford to pay tuition.
Are there any additional fees?
In addition to tuition and fees, all choir members are responsible for purchasing a DCC t-shirt at the approximate cost of $15-20. Timberline and Alpine also must provide appropriate BLACK pants/skirt, shoes, socks or tights, and belts. Summit, Fourteeners and Mountain Aires provide their own uniforms according to the uniform guidelines and are responsible for purchasing a DCC sweatshirt specific to their ensemble (approximate cost $40).
Social events, retreats, and tour fees are not included in the annual tuition and are charged at the time of each event. DCC keeps costs as low as possible and offers fundraising opportunities for larger fees such as tours.
What is expected of the parents?
Parents/guardians are expected to help in some way, large or small. Parent involvement helps to build a cohesive choir community. In addition, volunteers help keep tuition rates low by decreasing the need to hire additional staff. Volunteers contribute greatly to the success of the organization.
I am an educator, and we would like to offer choir during our school day. Is this something you do?
Yes, we partner with schools who are interested in bringing our quality music education curriculum into the classroom, once a week, during the school day. Students learn how to sing, read music, and perform. All School Choir Programs are led by one of our excellent, qualified conductors and an accompanist. Should your school be interested in hiring our committed and competent staff to teach choral music at your school, please complete this form: DCC SCHOOL PROGRAM APPLICATION