Dr. Daniel L. Grace led the Colorado Chorale for 35 years, retiring at the end of the 2008-2009 season.

Dan's work with the Chorale

Throughout his career, Dan earned the respect and admiration of the musical community in the Rocky Mountain region. He once remarked, "I really can't remember when I wasn't involved with music." His remarkable talent as Artistic Director contributed to numerous highlights, including:

• conducting the Chorale at Boettcher Hall
• directing the group for high mass in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome (The Colorado Chorale was the first American choir to be invited to do so up to that time.)
• directing the Chorale in a memorable performance for the 1983 CMEA convention
• leading the Chorale in some of the choral masterworks, such as Brahm's German Requiem, Carmina Burana, and Mozart's Requiem
• commissioning and conducting a work by James McCray, "Raise! Raise the Voices," for the Chorale's 25th anniversary
• creating and producing the Letters Home concert in 2005 -- a concert that raised over $5,000 to aid military dependants at Fort Carson

"I really can't remember when I wasn't involved with music."

Noted for his innovative programming, Dan said he planned his concert seasons looking for "two factors: cohesion and variety." He directed the Chorale in the masterworks; in collaborations with gospel singers, Native American musicians, Celtic dancers, a marimba ensemble, and professional storytellers; and in fully staged musicals from the Broadway tradition.

Honors, recognitions, and thanks

Dan is a highly regarded clinician, adjudicator, and panel moderator throughout Colorado. Active in the Colorado Music Educators Association and the American Choral Directors Association, Dan was inducted into the CMEA Educators Hall of Fame in 1992 and chosen as the ACDA Conductor of the Year in 1987. Throughout his career, Dan has always been at the helm of a church choir. He currently directs the Chancel Choir at Bethany Lutheran Church in Cherry Hills Village.

As Dan retired from the Colorado Chorale after its 39th season, he also honored his talented wife Billie Grace, the Chorale's First Lady Emeritus.

In gratitude, the Colorado Chorale recognizes the dedication, hard work, and devotion to excellence of Dr. Daniel L. Grace, Artistic Director Emeritus.