Colorado Children's Chorale

What Colorado Children's Chorale does

The Colorado Children's Chorale, founded in 1974 in Denver, Colorado, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organization that trains children ages 7-14 in choral singing, performance, and music education. The organization operates a tiered choir program comprising Training Choirs (Prep Choir for grades 2-4, Apprentice Choir for grades 3-5), Performing Choirs (Concert Choir ages 9-14 and Tour Choir ages 10-14), Community Choirs (Aplausos dual-language Spanish/English choir at Valdez Elementary, Stevens JAMS at Stevens Elementary), and a Young Alumni program (Legacy for high school-aged graduates). It also delivers in-school music education through School Partnerships (reaching 15,500+ students across 51 schools since 1994, free of charge), School Shows ($400 per 45-minute concert) and Workshops ($200 additional), Conductor Collaborations, and a free Choral Music Library available to teachers. Approximately 20 staff — artistic directors, conductors, accompanists, and administrative personnel — support the program; 100+ new members join annually through Prep and Apprentice Choirs.

The Chorale has performed internationally in 26 countries across six continents, including at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the White House, and for Pope John Paul II. Its distinctive features include innovative theatrical choreography combining choral singing with movement, dual-language programming through Aplausos, and a free community choir model requiring no audition. The Chorale regularly collaborates with major performing arts organizations including the Colorado Symphony, Opera Colorado, Central City Opera, New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Aspen Music Festival, and Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival.

The organization's revenue model blends four primary streams: annual tuition from participating families (with assistance expected for 25% of families via the TAP program), individual donations including the Conductors Circle leadership donor tier ($1,500+ annually), corporate partnerships (with logo placement, event sponsorship, and ticketing benefits), and performance/booking fees for corporate events, conferences, and professional opera/symphony engagements. The Chorale has received the Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts (1999), Mayor's Award for Excellence in the Arts (2004), Chorus America Education Outreach Award (2004), El Pomar Foundation Award (1994), and Historic Denver's Cultural Impact Award (2016).

Name

Colorado Children's Chorale

Legal name

Colorado Children's Chorale

Website

https://childrenschorale.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Colorado Children's Chorale is a Denver-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1974 that trains 400+ children ages 7-14 annually through tiered choir programs, community choirs, school partnerships in 51 schools, and performance services for orchestras, opera companies, and corporate events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Education

NAICS

Fine Arts Schools (611610), Musical Groups and Artists (711130)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Music Schools & Conservatory Prep (Pre-College) (EDAMANAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir) (EDAMANAC), Performing Arts Programs (Band, Choir, Orchestra, Theater) (EDAJAJAE)

Keywords

• Children's choral education
• Performing arts programs
• School music partnerships
• Choir performance services
• Community choir programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Denver

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Annual Tuition: Families pay annual tuition for participation in the Chorale, which varies by choir level. Tuition covers performance training, music education, and most touring and camp fees. Tuition assistance (TAP) is available and the Chorale expects to provide assistance to 25% of families.
2. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individual supporters. The Conductors Circle recognizes donors contributing $1,500+ annually with benefits including priority ticket access, VIP seating, and exclusive events.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Corporate sponsorships and event sponsorships. Benefits include logo placement, concert tickets, program advertisements, social media recognition, and event invitations. Fundraising events include Scholarship Breakfast, Beach Ball, Strikes For Song, and Chorale Golf Classic.
4. Performance/Booking Fees: Fees for hiring the Chorale for events, performances, and touring engagements. Fees vary based on event size, location, length, and choir requested. The Chorale provides soloists, ensembles, or full choir for opera, symphony, corporate, and civic events.
5. School Program Fees: School shows ($400) and workshops ($200 additional) for elementary audiences. School Partnerships provide free weekly instruction in targeted schools.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Colorado Children's Chorale is a nonprofit performing arts organization that trains and performs with children ages 7-14 through a structured progression of training choirs (Prep and Apprentice), performing choirs (Concert and Tour), and free community choirs (Aplausos, Stevens JAMS). The organization supplements member training with school partnership programs in 51 schools, school shows/workshops, touring residencies, and paid performance bookings for corporate events and performing arts organizations.

Product overview

Colorado Children's Chorale operates as a comprehensive children's choral music organization offering multiple interconnected programs. The core structure includes Training Choirs (Prep Choir, Apprentice Choir) for entry-level singers, Performing Choirs (Concert Choir, Tour Choir) for advanced members, and Community Choirs (Aplausos, Stevens JAMS) providing free access without auditions. The Education Program encompasses School Partnerships, School Shows and Workshops, Conductor Collaborations, and a Choral Music Library. Performance services include touring residencies, events booking, and performing arts partnerships with major orchestras and opera companies. The Young Alumni Program (Legacy) provides transition opportunities for graduates. The organization trains over 400 children ages 7-14 annually across five choirs representing 180+ schools in the Denver metro area.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Aplausos de Colorado Children's Chorale: A dual-language choir for boys and girls in third through fifth grades offered at Valdez Elementary School in Denver
• Stevens JAMS
• Legacy
• Prep Choir
• Apprentice Choir
• Concert Choir
• Tour Choir

Products and services

• Training Choirs (Prep and Apprentice) Entry-level training program with Prep Choir for 2nd-4th graders and Apprentice Choir for 3rd-5th graders. Weekly rehearsals at multiple metro Denver locations, day-camp in fall for Apprentice Choir, and 2-4 community performances per season.

Quantifiable outcome

• 15,500+ students reached through School Partnerships since 1994
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and flagship.

• Denver Metro Area Schools (51 schools)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1994School Partnership program providing free weekly choral instruction with professional conductors, accompanists, and choreographers. Reached 15,500+ students since 1994, offering tailored programming to specific school needs.
• Colorado Symphony OrchestracoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing performance collaboration with regular concerts and opera productions. The Colorado Symphony has engaged the Chorale for multiple performances, with CSO staff praising the Chorale's professionalism, preparation, and execution.
• Opera ColoradocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegular collaboration on opera productions with Chorale performers and ensembles featured in Opera Colorado performances.
• Central City OperacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured performers in Central City Opera productions with ongoing talent development and performance opportunities.
• Aspen Music FestivalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple appearances at the Aspen Music Festival (1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2012, 2014) showcasing international-caliber performances.
• Philadelphia OrchestraflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured performances with one of America's premier orchestras, representing significant prestige and artistic collaboration.
• New York PhilharmonicflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPerformance collaborations with one of the world's most renowned orchestras.
• Bravo! Vail Valley Music FestivalmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPerformance appearances at the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival in 2011 and 2018.
• Valdez Elementary SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost site for Aplausos de Colorado Children's Chorale dual-language community choir program.
• Stevens Elementary SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost site for Stevens JAMS community choir program.
• Corporate Sponsors (Concert and Programming Partners)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partners receive benefits including logo on electronic billboards at Denver Performing Arts Complex, concert program advertisements, social media recognition, concert tickets, and event invitations. Fundraising events include Scholarship Breakfast, Beach Ball, Strikes For Song, and Chorale Golf Classic.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Los Angeles Children's Chorus: One of the largest and most established children's choirs in the US, founded in 1986 in Pasadena. LACC trains 400+ singers through multiple levels with international touring and major recording contracts. Direct comparable in tiered ensemble structure, age group, and concert-level programming.
• Chicago Children's Choir: Founded in 1956, Chicago Children's Choir serves over 5,000 children across 80+ schools through in-school and after-school programs. Closest peer in terms of community-based school partnerships and inclusive programming model across multiple choirs.
• Young People's Chorus of New York City: Founded in 1988, YPC serves 2,000+ children annually through tiered choirs and school partnerships with international touring. Comparable in tiered programming, international performance prestige, and broad age-range participation. Founded by Francisco J. Núñez.
• San Francisco Girls Chorus: Founded in 1978, SFGC is a treble voice choir with multiple ensemble levels, international touring, and commissioning programs. Highly comparable in treble-only focus, age range, and performance-caliber programming. SFGC has won Grammy Awards for recordings.
• Boston Children's Chorus: Founded in 2004, Boston Children's Chorus serves 400+ singers across multiple choirs, with a strong social-justice mission focused on diversity and inclusion. Direct comparable in tiered ensemble structure, community engagement focus, and Boston-area school partnerships.
• Cincinnati Children's Choir: Founded in 1993, CCC serves 400+ singers across multiple choirs with international touring and school outreach programs. Comparable in tiered structure, age range, and Midwest-based school partnership model.

Emerging players

• National Children's Chorus: Founded in 2009, NCC operates multiple satellite locations across the US with select choral ensembles. Emerging player with tiered ensemble structure and international performance opportunities, but newer and less established than Colorado Children's Chorale.
• Pacific Youth Choir: Portland-based children's choir founded in 2008 with tiered ensembles and international touring. Smaller scale than Colorado Children's Chorale but with comparable programming philosophy and treble-voice focus.

Broad incumbents

• Interlochen Arts Academy: Founded in 1928, Interlochen is a premier boarding high school for the arts with multiple ensemble programs including choir. Not a direct peer (full-time residential school), but operates in the same broader category of elite children's/youth choral music education with international prestige.

Others

• El Sistema Colorado: Founded in 2010, El Sistema Colorado provides free intensive music education to underserved youth in Denver. Adjacent nonprofit model serving similar demographics in same geography; former staff member Jamie Wolf bridged both organizations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ColoradoChildrensChorale
• Xx.com/wesing

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Colorado Children's Chorale