Denver Women’s Chorus

  • female presenting singers on risers wearing black with pink scarves

Denver Women’s Chorus

Denver, CO, USA
https://denverchoruses.org/

Artistic Director

Dr. Clelyn Chapin

Executive Director

Michael Sattler

Voicing

SA
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The Denver Women’s Chorus (DWC) is a multigenerational treble chorus dedicated to musical excellence, building community, and advocating for social justice. DWC owes its existence to a group of brave lesbian singers who risked their livelihoods in 1984 to form a chorus that became both a safe place for its members and an outlet for musical expression. In the beginning, many singers did not allow their names to be printed in programs due to concerns they would face discrimination. Many feared for their jobs. Despite the obstacles they faced, they traveled to perform in New York and Washington D.C., joined in actions for social justice, and became the first treble chorus to perform at a GALA Choruses festival.

Today, the Denver Women’s Chorus is proud to be a trans- and nonbinary-inclusive chorus and is comprised of LGBTQ+ singers and many dedicated allies. DWC embraces diversity, equity, and intersectional feminism. With 130 united voices, DWC strives to promote social change through the music they create for each other and for their audiences throughout the greater Denver area. They have shared songs at marches, churches, libraries, and museums as well as Red Rocks Amphitheatre and the Colorado State Capitol. They have collaborated with local nonprofit organizations, including the League of Women Voters, Safehouse Denver, and Mile High Freedom Band, and have performed alongside Emma’s Revolution, Suzanne Westenhoefer, and Cris Williamson. In January 2020, the chorus presented the Colorado premiere of Lifting As We Climb, a commissioned work by renowned composer Joan Szymko in honor of the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment. Following a hiatus of in-person events due to COVID, in 2022, DWC presented #lovewins, a concert event rejoicing in the rights of all people to love who they love and acknowledging the importance of protecting these rights.

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