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Our Mission: The 5280+ Senior Chorales Exist to Provide Significant and Measurable
Health and Wellness Benefits of Choral Singing to Mature Adults
What are 5280+ Senior Chorales?
One week in the summer of 2013, Brian Leatherman directed a choir for the national Road Scholar/Elderhostel program held in Fort Collins, CO. His long-time colleague, Cindy Runkel, served as accompanist. As the week of rehearsals and performance closed, Brian suggested that he and Cindy should pursue something like this in Denver following his impending retirement from public education.
Throughout 2014 they discussed and explored the possibility of a day-time, non-auditioned choir for seniors, and their vision became a reality when the first chorale began singing in August 2015!
Why the name 5280+ ? Since Denver, CO is known as the Mile High City (5280 feet above sea level), 5280 was adopted to reflect the target demographic of singers from 50 to 80+ years young!
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If you have sung sometime in your life, want to return to singing, or have never sung outside of the shower, come meet new friends at educational and enjoyable weekly rehearsals. You will learn proper breathing techniques and how to improve your voice and posture through correct tone production.
Sessions culminate with combined performances as well as special concerts by the individual choirs or smaller groups.
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For information on our Spring 2026 Programs, please select flyers for our 3 chorales:
Highlands Ranch
Parker
Littleton
THANK YOU to all of our generous Colorado Gives donors!​
You don't need a special occasion to give. Making a difference is an everyday event.
To give anytime, any day, all year,
click on Colorado Gives 365 logo above.
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Our Singers Say it Best!
"I have been a member of the Highlands Ranch Chorale since its inception and I can't begin to tell you the void that it has filled in my life. Not too long before I joined, I lost a member of my family. She was my best friend, my roomy, and above all my mom. Needless to say, the hole left in my heart cannot be explained. I was really numb and very depressed until I joined this wonderful group of people. It has literally changed my life. Music awakens the heart and soul and puts such joy and peace into the empty spaces. So now I sing for my mom and am so blessed to have found this group and this instrument of joy. I would encourage anyone who can sing a note to join the chorus and experience and share the same happiness that music brings to life." - S.H.
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"I wanted to be sure to let you know how much I absolutely loved singing with you this past semester. After class, I would be so relaxed and always had so much fun. You are both such an incredible gift to all of us for many reasons. Thanks so much for sharing yourselves so generously. You're the BEST!" - K.T.
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"THANK YOU, for brightening up my days and my life, through your leadership of 5280+ Chorales. When I left my (church) choir 3 years ago after being in it for 30 years, I thought my singing days were over. This group is exactly what I needed to "make me feel young" again, and the group is everything you said it is." T.T.
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"I have once again discovered the joy of singing with others. I look forward to our rehearsals each week and leave with a smile and a warmth in my heart I've not felt for a long time. Thank you for all you do to make this choral experience a true gift to those of us who participate. It is a real honor and pleasure to work with you." - B.W.
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"Our experience has enriched our lives more than we ever imagined. The joy of singing with like-minded individuals and being led by consummate musicians like you both make every Monday special for us. Thank you for being such an important and delightful part of our lives." - J.W.
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"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you've done to make 5280+ Senior Chorales a reality! I love it and am having such fun!! I didn't know how much I was missing singing. After having been in the audience for years with kids' concerts and performances, it really feels good to be "on stage" myself and getting such joy out of singing!" - J.P.
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"I don't know how to express how much joy you have brought to me with the choir. Today's concert was a wonderful culmination to a process filled with happiness. It has been great fun, thank you both!" - R.G.
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"I want to thank you both for the wonderful experience I had singing with the Chorale this spring!! I appreciate all your hard work and effort toward this community outreach program of choral singing for older adults. It helped me feel vibrant and part of a supportive community which shares an interest in music and aging well." - K.V.
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"No amount of money or gifts could reward you for what you have given us - joy, laughter and a feeling like we are still important to our community and to our friends and children during performances." - S.S.
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"Thanks for all the fun we have singing with the 5280+ Senior Chorale. The Chorale brings lots of joy to those who sing and those who listen." M.B.