Maroon Bel Canto Choirs

Sing with students from all over the Roaring Fork Valley in a choir designed just for you!

Maroon Bel Canto Children's Chorus:
for upper elementary school students

Maroon Bel Canto Singers:
for middle school students

Schools  |  Cost and Scholarship

Registration is now closed for the 2023-2024 school year. Check back in August 2024 for registration information for 2024-2025!

Parent Handbook 2023-2024 // Manual Para Padres 2023-2024

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Program Information

With two choir divisions for the 2023-2024 school year, Maroon Bel Canto Choirs (MBCC) offers beginning and intermediate singing opportunities for all:  Maroon Bel Canto Children’s Chorus (for upper elementary school students - see grades below, by school) and Maroon Bel Canto Singers (for middle school students).

Maroon Bel Canto Children's Chorus (MBCCC) gives students in upper elementary school the chance to participate in a traditional children’s choir with other young singers and learn the foundation of choral singing in a fun, supportive, high-energy environment. Singers rehearse weekly at their chosen MBCCC school site and then join with singers from across the valley in a mass rehearsal and a performance. No prior music or vocal experience required.

Maroon Bel Canto Singers (MBCS) is a smaller, more select ensemble for older students, with or without prior choral experience. In this choir for middle school students, singers rehearse weekly at their chosen MBCS school, sing with students from other schools in a mass rehearsal, act as section leaders for younger students, and perform a concert in March. With the focus squarely on older middle-school singers, we’ll learn fun and challenging repertoire, develop sight-reading skills, and build strong vocal technique!  

Maroon Bel Canto Choir Schools

All Roaring Fork Valley students are welcome to sing in an MBCCC or MBCS ensemble at any participating school.

Meet the AfterWorks Teachers

Maroon Bel Canto Children's Chorus:
For upper elementary school students

Basalt Elementary School

• Grades 3-4, with 2nd graders admitted by director invite only
• Mondays, starting October 16
• 3:45-4:45 PM
• Directed by Maureen Hinkle

 

Crystal River Elementary School

• Grades 2-4
• Wednesdays, starting October 25 (delayed start!)
• 1:50-3:10 PM
• Directed by Katie Sansone

 

Glenwood Springs Elementary School

• Grades 3-5, with 2nd graders admitted by director invite only
• Tuesdays, starting October 17
• 3:45-5:00 PM
• Directed by Emma Leake-Parker

 

Two Rivers Community School

• Grades 3-5
• Tuesdays, starting October 17
• 3:45-4:45 PM
• Directed by Cailey Arensman

 

Sopris Elementary School

• Grades 3-5, with 2nd graders accepted with director approval only
• Thursdays, starting October 19
• 3:45-4:45 PM
• Directed by David Parker

 

Maroon Bel Canto Singers:
For middle school students

Basalt Middle School

• Grades 5-8
• Tuesdays, starting October 17
• 3:45-5:00 PM
• Directed by Katie Hone Wiltgen

 

Carbondale Middle School

• Grades 5-8
• Tuesdays, starting October 17
• 3:20-4:20 PM
• Directed by Christina Wenning

 

Glenwood Springs Middle School & Two Rivers Community School

• Grades 5-8
• Thursdays, starting October 19
• 4:00-5:00 PM
• Rehearsals at Glenwood Springs Middle School
• Directed by Shanti Gruber

 

After-School Program Cost: $195

Cost includes all rehearsals and concerts (see above), snacks during the MBCC Workshop, bus transportation (on school district buses) to the MBCC Workshop, a music binder, all music, and a MBCCC/MBCS uniform shirt.

This program is heavily subsidized by the AMFS and generous donors, and the actual program cost is more than $400 per student.

Please note that this program runs from mid-October through mid-March and that students should commit to the entire series of rehearsals and performances. Of course, conflicts could arise, but in order for students to be a contributing member of a choral ensemble, they need to be in rehearsal as much as possible. If space allows at a particular school, mid-year enrollment will be permitted; the tuition amount remains the same.

The AfterWorks Refund Policy is as follows:

Once a student has registered for an AfterWorks program (Beginning Strings, Chamber Music Lab, Lead Guitar, or Maroon Bel Canto Choirs), the following policy will apply to tuition refunds if that student chooses to leave the AfterWorks program:

• Before first class/rehearsal: full tuition refund
• Between first and third class/rehearsal: half tuition refund
• After third class/rehearsal: no refund 

 

Scholarships & Payment Plans

A limited number of tuition scholarships are available to students who demonstrate significant financial need. Tuition payment plans are also available, if necessary, and can be requested during the acceptance process.

 

Performances

• March 13 and/or 14, 2024 – Maroon Bel Canto Choirs Workshop & Showcase Concert  |  Harris Concert Hall (Aspen) 
  • Depending on enrollment numbers, two workshop days may be needed. Dates will be confirmed shortly and communicated to participants. Maroon Bel Canto rehearsals end after the Showcase in March.

 

How to Register

Registration opens September 1 and closes October 6. Late registrations may be accepted if space is available, but will incur a $25 late registration fee to cover delayed application processing.

Check back in August 2024 for the 2024-2025 school year!

 

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To learn more, please contact:

Heather Kendrick, Dean of Education and Community
Email | 970 205 5057

 

Support for AMFS Education and Community Programs comes from Nancy Swift Furlotti and the Pettit Foundation, Dana and Gene Powell, Alpine Bank, Nancy Meinig - Meinig Family Foundation, the Fisher Family Fund at the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, Edith Kallas and Joe Whatley, Golub Family Foundation, El Pomar Foundation, and Hensley and James Peterson.