Ensure the Denver Municipal Band plays free professional concerts in local parks! Your funds cover free summer concerts for all, as well as educational assistance and outreach for Denver metro children. Your donations support almost 2 centuries of musical service to the Denver metro area. Join us!
Thank you to the Denver Municipal Jazz Band for a wonderful evening at Bates and Hobart Park. As always, your band played beautifully and we really appreciate how you have blessed the entire city of Denver for years. Keep up the good work. We are already looking forward to next year's concert! -- The Bear Valley Improvement Association
I've been coming to these concerts for over 30 years. For me, they are summer in Denver. -- Washington Park audience member
My great-great-great-grandfather was a member of the Denver Municipal Band for many years. I have photos of him in the band with his saxophone and he is pictured with the Denver City Band with his clarinet. I just found your YouTube channel and wanted to reach out, introduce myself, and say thank you for keeping this history and tradition alive! PS My great-grandma used to say her grandfather lived to play music and she talked about going to City Park and thinking the electric fountain was a marvel!
This is my first time attending a band concert, and I really love the variety of selections. Great evening! -- Washington Park audience member
I've heard them in the parks for years, Denver City Park, and I'd go by and think what a great group of young musicians, but veterans! The other thing that's so awesome is that they never charge. I don't understand that! I think it's the greatest thing in the world! -- Cleo Parker Robinson, American dance and choreographer
My feeling about the band has always been that it brought together a culture of races that we didn't have before. These concerts bring everyone in the community together. And they're free! What a treasure! -- Charlie Burrell, American classical and jazz bassist
Our students really appreciate having instruction from actual performing, professional musicians. It gives them a different perspective on music and music-making. --Teacher of a class mentored by band musicians
It's hard to imagine City Park, or any of our venues in our parks, without the Denver Municipal Band. -- Happy Haynes, Executive Director, Denver Parks and Recreation
To me, personally, a highlight of the summer is sitting outside, the fresh air, watching the stars, having a picnic supper, and listening to the band--hearing some wonderful music--live! -- Tom Noel, Colorado historian
The Denver Municipal Band (Band):
- Entertains Denver metro-area residents and music-loving tourists by providing free professional concerts in local parks that stimulate the senses.
- Unites diverse audiences by building community through musical performances.
- Inspires young people by nourishing creativity and a lifetime of participation in the arts through professional musical workshops, clinics, mentoring, and concerts for Denver metro-area students and schools.
- Educates audiences in diverse music, including artists who aren't well known. Professional musicians teach young players music theory and techniques at local venues, including schools.
The Band accomplishes its nearly two-century-old vision by partnering with governmental agencies (including parks), educational institutions, neighborhood groups, foundations, other performing arts organizations, and interested individuals.
The Denver Municipal Band is the oldest, actively performing, professional band in the U.S.! We're also the oldest, historic professional ensemble in the Denver region. For nearly two centuries, our concerts have been free to the public.
In 1861, the Denver City Band was formed to help tame a mining town called Denver. In 1891, we became the Denver Municipal Band when Denver began its annual funding to bring culture to its citizens.
We're thrilled to have been involved in:
- Performing for political conventions in Denver in 1908 (President Teddy Roosevelt) and 2008 (President Barack Obama).
- Playing at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair and the 1915 San Francisco World's Fair.
- Entertaining U.S. and allied troops in WWII, playing for the Armed Forces Network.
- Taping performances for servicemen in Vietnam for the USO.
- Joining Denver's Sister City Program, performing with an ensemble in Takayama, Japan for the 50th anniversary of Sister Cities, as well as performing a socially distanced concert outside during the pandemic.
- Creating and performing a special concert to honor healthcare heroes during the pandemic.
- Being involved in diverse community events, from the Taste of Ethiopia Festival to the Latino Festival of Westminster.
Milestones for the Band:
- Forming small ensembles for opportunities in educational outreach and community engagement.
- Forming a "not for profit" under Colorado law to receive an IRS 501(c)(3) classification.
- Performing at new and unique venues, including the opening of Levitt Pavilion, the Taste of Ethiopia Festival, and the Westminster Latino Festival.
Band musicians are the area's finest professional players and educators. They play with the most prestigious musical organizations, and many teach at local universities and public schools.
The Band has performed at civic events such as mayoral and gubernatorial events, neighborhood community festivals, and at dedications of Denver historical structures, including:
- Ellie Caulkins Opera House
- Denver Auditorium Theater
- Red Rocks Amphitheater
- Coors Field
- Pepsi Center
We're proud to continue to evolve over nearly two centuries. Today, we're continuing our mission while meeting the changing artistic landscape and needs of metro Denver.
Organization name
Denver Municipal Band
other names
DMB, Denver City Band
1985
Tax id (EIN)
74-2364520
Category
Arts, Culture & Humanities
Organization Size
Small Organization
Address
3358 Race StreetMailing
1685 S Colorado Blvd, S-226Denver County, CO, US