2021 was another year of uncertainty, and also one of great excitement to get back to the work that makes Swallow Hill so special. As we launch into 2022, there are many things to reflect upon from 2021 with gratitude and thanks.
Last summer, in partnership with Denver Botanic Gardens, “Music at the Gardens” entailed 20 nights of Evenings al Fresco, with musicians placed around the gardens for strolling and taking in some amazing local artists. In-person concerts also returned to our home on Yale Avenue in 2021. We hosted many shows this past fall, despite the ever-changing world that COVID has created for us. Our artists represented genres from around the world, both at Yale and in various venues around Denver.
We continued to offer online classes and lessons throughout most of 2021, and reopened our music school for in-person instruction in August of 2021. It is incredible to hear the sound of music in the hallways, and it is wonderful to see our students in the building again. Many of our instructors came back to join us in greeting our students in-person, and what an honor it is to be working closely with these folks again! We are currently offering both online and in-person group classes, workshops and private lessons, and we couldn’t be happier!
Little Swallows, our signature music education program, returned to schools around the Denver area. This incredible program provides music education (and fun!) for Early Childhood Education students in 15 schools.
In addition to the return of many of our teachers, we added new leaders in our Marketing and Concert Departments, as well as key positions to support our Outreach and Membership departments. We also welcomed back a full staff to our front desk and cafe. We continue to foster a culture of respect and support amongst our team, and strive to be a great place to work for each of our team members.
Our volunteers also showed up in a big way in 2021. Assisting at Four Mile Historic Park, Denver Botanic Gardens, and at our facility on Yale, our volunteers helped with everything from ticket scanning to way-finding to gardening. We could not have done it without them!
We are grateful for each of you who continue to support Swallow Hill. Whether it be attending a class, volunteering, supporting our outreach programs, attending a concert, purchasing a membership and those who sent powerful messages to keep us going, each of you have made a difference in Swallow Hill’s recovery. There are not enough words to express our feelings, so we shall close with a giant THANK YOU!
With sincere gratitude and thanks,
Jessy and Walt