K-12 School Program

Thanks to funding from the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District, Friends of Chamber Music is able to offer educational performances to Denver area schools free of charge. To inquire about arranging an event at your school call 303-388-9839.

Educational Outreach

Friends of Chamber Music is committed to educational outreach, engaging both local and visiting artists to provide residencies and master classes at elementary, junior high, and senior high school levels.  Performances are presented primarily in Denver Public Schools, and thanks to funding from the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District we are able to offer these performances free of charge.

Each year Friends of Chamber Music sponsors school assembly performances by professional chamber music ensembles.  These concerts combine age-appropriate music theory with accessible classical music.  Groups such as The Playground, the Ivy String Quartet, the Qetzal String Quartet and Colorado Chamber Players have performed for student audiences who might otherwise not have had exposure to classical music.  In any given year, Friends of Chamber Music’s outreach program reaches more than 4,500 students.

In addition to assembly performances, Friends of Chamber Music has provided more sustained music education seminars at four Denver schools.  Students at Denison Montessori and Kepner and Morey Middle Schools each participated in a four week residency program with Colorado Chamber Players in which the students learned the basics of rhythm, time signatures, communication among performers, teamwork, and leadership.  The Qetzal Quartet, with funding from Friends of Chamber Music, engaged in a residency program at Palmer Elementary School under the auspices of the Summer Scholars Program.  The summer school students learned to play the recorder as well as simple percussion instruments, and finished the residency by composing and performing original pieces of music under the tutelage of the musicians of the Qetzal Quartet.  Because so much of music is related to literacy, these residencies help students who are struggling with reading skills.  With sponsorship from Friends of Chamber Music, students at Kunsmiller Creative Arts Academy, a K-8 magnet school, completed a similar residency with the Qetzal Quartet.

You can help Friends of Chamber Music bring music to these young students by making a gift in support of our outreach efforts.  Donations can be sent to:  Friends of Chamber Music, 191 University Boulevard #974, Denver, CO  80206.