Craving a dose of musical history? You are standing in front of Swallow Hill Music. It is a Denver institution. Swallow Hill Music enriches the community through music performance, education, and outreach. Founded in 1979, Swallow Hill Music grew from the Denver Folklore Center. The Denver Folklore Center was a music store in the Swallow Hill neighborhood.
Picture this: It’s the 1960s and 1970s. The Denver Folklore Center offered music lessons and performances. The Folklore Center temporarily closed in the late 1970s. Committed volunteers formed Swallow Hill Music as a nonprofit. Its mission was to “bring the joy of music to life every day.”
Since then, Swallow Hill has become a cultural asset. It is a distinct thread in Colorado’s musical fabric. Swallow Hill Music operates a music school seven days a week. It provides music therapy. It educates through community outreach. It produces concerts at three venues at its Broadway and Yale location. Swallow Hill also produces events throughout the metro area. These include summer concert series. They are held at Denver Botanic Gardens and Four Mile Historic Park.
Swallow Hill is a nationally-revered hub. It is known for concerts, classes, and community. It has received awards. These include the Mayor’s and Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts. Swallow Hill is an inductee of the Colorado Music Hall of Fame. It also received Folk Alliance International’s Business Lifetime Achievement award.
Swallow Hill Music produces live concerts. They range from local to international acts. Genres include Americana, roots, and singer-songwriters. You can also hear world music, rock, bluegrass, and more. Swallow Hill is a producing partner for concerts. These concerts occur at Denver Botanic Gardens and the Clyfford Still Museum.
Swallow Hill’s Music School is the country’s second largest acoustic music school. Professional musicians teach classes and private lessons. They specialize in stringed instruments, percussion, piano, and voice. Students range from beginners to accomplished musicians. They teach Americana, bluegrass, folk, world music, and more.
Swallow Hill is passionate about making music accessible. The organization offers music education in under-resourced communities. Their early education program is Little Swallows. It is provided for students across the city. Other programs include workshops in schools. They also provide music therapy for the aging population and veterans.
Did you know that Swallow Hill drastically expanded in the 1990s? They remodeled their Pearl Street building. They formed their first choir. They started Thursday night jams and the Folkathon.
In 2002, Swallow Hill honored Julie Davis. They named the music school after her. Davis improved the school in 1984. She served as director from 1986 to 1995. Today, the school hosts 40,000 students a year. Classes are available for every level, genre, and age group.
Andres Cladera became School Director in 2014. He wanted to bring the world to Denver. This fall, Swallow Hill Music kicked off “Around the World at Swallow Hill Music.” It introduced rhythms from all corners of the planet.
Swallow Hill Music serves more than 130,000 people a year. The current facility opened in 1999. It is located at 71 E. Yale Ave. Three concert venues host more than 250 live performances each year. A 62-instructor faculty provides education to more than 5,000 students a year.
Swallow Hill Music has a rich history. It continues to grow and evolve. It remains a vital part of Denver’s cultural landscape. It builds community through music. It embodies inclusion, creativity, and growth. As you leave, remember the sounds and stories. Swallow Hill Music is more than just a venue. It is a place where music comes to life.