Clarinet Lessons in Colorado
What clarinet lessons cost across Colorado, and how to find the right teacher.
Clarinet lesson prices across Colorado
A one-hour clarinet lesson in Colorado typically costs $64 to $102, and a half hour $34 to $56. Prices change noticeably from town to town. The Denver area runs highest, up to $107 an hour.
Every town has two guides: a clarinet lessons guide, with local schools, events and places to play, and a costs guide, with that town's prices in detail.
| Town | 30 minutes | One hour | Guides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver area | |||
| Denver | $35–$58 | $66–$105 | LessonsCosts |
| Aurora | $35–$56 | $65–$103 | LessonsCosts |
| Lakewood | $35–$57 | $66–$104 | LessonsCosts |
| Thornton | $35–$57 | $66–$105 | LessonsCosts |
| Arvada | $35–$57 | $66–$104 | LessonsCosts |
| Westminster | $35–$57 | $66–$104 | LessonsCosts |
| Centennial | $35–$57 | $66–$104 | LessonsCosts |
| Highlands Ranch | $35–$57 | $66–$105 | LessonsCosts |
| Castle Rock | $35–$56 | $65–$103 | LessonsCosts |
| Broomfield | $35–$56 | $65–$103 | LessonsCosts |
| Commerce City | $34–$56 | $64–$102 | LessonsCosts |
| Parker | $35–$57 | $65–$103 | LessonsCosts |
| Littleton | $35–$57 | $66–$104 | LessonsCosts |
| Brighton | $34–$56 | $64–$102 | LessonsCosts |
| Northglenn | $35–$58 | $66–$106 | LessonsCosts |
| Englewood | $35–$58 | $66–$106 | LessonsCosts |
| Dakota Ridge | $35–$57 | $66–$104 | LessonsCosts |
| Ken Caryl | $35–$57 | $65–$104 | LessonsCosts |
| Wheat Ridge | $35–$57 | $66–$104 | LessonsCosts |
| Columbine | $35–$57 | $66–$105 | LessonsCosts |
| Four Square Mile | $36–$59 | $67–$107 | LessonsCosts |
| Golden | $35–$56 | $65–$103 | LessonsCosts |
| Sherrelwood | $36–$59 | $67–$107 | LessonsCosts |
| Welby | $35–$57 | $66–$105 | LessonsCosts |
| Greenwood Village | $34–$56 | $64–$102 | LessonsCosts |
| Lone Tree | $34–$55 | $64–$101 | LessonsCosts |
| Federal Heights | $36–$59 | $67–$107 | LessonsCosts |
| Castle Pines | $34–$55 | $64–$101 | LessonsCosts |
| The Pinery | $34–$55 | $63–$101 | LessonsCosts |
| Berkley | $35–$57 | $65–$104 | LessonsCosts |
| Cherry Creek | $36–$58 | $67–$106 | LessonsCosts |
| Colorado Springs area | |||
| Colorado Springs | $33–$52 | $60–$95 | LessonsCosts |
| Security-Widefield | $33–$52 | $60–$96 | LessonsCosts |
| Fountain | $33–$51 | $60–$93 | LessonsCosts |
| Cimarron Hills | $33–$53 | $60–$96 | LessonsCosts |
| Fort Carson | $32–$50 | $59–$91 | LessonsCosts |
| Black Forest | $32–$48 | $59–$87 | LessonsCosts |
| Monument | $33–$51 | $60–$94 | LessonsCosts |
| Fort Collins area | |||
| Fort Collins | $33–$53 | $61–$97 | LessonsCosts |
| Loveland | $33–$53 | $60–$96 | LessonsCosts |
| Berthoud | $33–$51 | $60–$93 | LessonsCosts |
| Wellington | $33–$53 | $61–$97 | LessonsCosts |
| Boulder area | |||
| Boulder | $35–$57 | $65–$104 | LessonsCosts |
| Longmont | $35–$57 | $65–$104 | LessonsCosts |
| Lafayette | $35–$57 | $65–$103 | LessonsCosts |
| Louisville | $34–$56 | $65–$103 | LessonsCosts |
| Superior | $35–$57 | $65–$104 | LessonsCosts |
| Greeley area | |||
| Greeley | $33–$52 | $60–$95 | LessonsCosts |
| Windsor | $33–$51 | $60–$93 | LessonsCosts |
| Erie | $33–$51 | $60–$93 | LessonsCosts |
| Evans | $33–$52 | $60–$94 | LessonsCosts |
| Johnstown | $33–$51 | $60–$93 | LessonsCosts |
| Firestone | $32–$50 | $59–$92 | LessonsCosts |
| Frederick | $32–$50 | $59–$92 | LessonsCosts |
| Grand Junction area | |||
| Grand Junction | $32–$49 | $59–$89 | LessonsCosts |
| Clifton | $32–$50 | $59–$91 | LessonsCosts |
| Fruita | $32–$49 | $59–$89 | LessonsCosts |
| Pueblo area | |||
| Pueblo | $31–$44 | $58–$81 | LessonsCosts |
| Pueblo West | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| Other Colorado towns | |||
| Cañon City | $33–$53 | $61–$98 | LessonsCosts |
| Durango | $33–$54 | $63–$100 | LessonsCosts |
| Edwards | $33–$52 | $60–$94 | LessonsCosts |
| Fort Morgan | $33–$54 | $62–$99 | LessonsCosts |
| Montrose | $33–$54 | $63–$100 | LessonsCosts |
| Rifle | $35–$57 | $66–$104 | LessonsCosts |
| Steamboat Springs | $33–$54 | $62–$99 | LessonsCosts |
| Sterling | $33–$52 | $60–$96 | LessonsCosts |
No Colorado town by that name yet. Lessons are live online, so you can still start from anywhere in Colorado.
Meet a Clarinet Teacher in Colorado Before You Continue Weekly
The free first lesson is a low-pressure way to meet the teacher, experience live online clarinet instruction, and decide whether weekly lessons feel right for you or your child in Colorado.
- One teacher, one student, one personalized plan
- Live weekly lessons from home with no commute
- Build tone, reading, reed confidence, and school-band skills
- Choose 30, 45, or 60 minutes after the free lesson
Find Your Next Clarinet Teacher in Colorado
Browse clarinet teachers, compare fit and availability, and start with a free trial before choosing weekly lessons in Colorado.
Filter by Day & Time
Canon Cochran
Try adjusting your filters.
How clarinet learning works in Colorado
How does clarinet fit school music in Colorado?
Colorado school band gives clarinetists an ensemble route, but the starting grade depends on the district. Denver County School District 1 offers band to students in grades 4 through 6, while Jefferson County School District R-1 offers it in grades 4 and 5 at Ute Meadows; Boulder Valley School District RE-2 starts in fifth grade. Other programs begin in sixth grade, including at Blevins Middle School in Poudre School District R-1. Since Colorado does not require a fine arts credit for graduation, private lessons can keep clarinet in your child's life even when school participation changes.
When school music starts in Colorado districts
Who runs what for Colorado clarinetists?
Colorado's student music opportunities are run by several organizations, each with a different reach. The Colorado Bandmasters Association (CBA) supports school concert bands and the All-State Band route, while the Colorado Music Educators Association (CMEA) supports music educators and All-State programs. The Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) oversees school music festivals, including Solo & Ensemble. For private-study students, the Colorado State Music Teachers Association (CSMTA) offers Rising Stars and Achievement Day, including a noncompetitive option. Knowing which group fits your goal helps you choose a school, individual, or noncompetitive path.
Who runs what in Colorado
Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA)
- Runs
- Runs school music festivals, including Solo & Ensemble.
- For
- Students in major school musical organizations.
Colorado Music Educators Association (CMEA)
- Runs
- Supports educators and All-State student programs.
- For
- Colorado students in school music ensembles.
Colorado State Music Teachers Association (CSMTA)
- Runs
- Offers Rising Stars and Achievement Day for private-study students.
- For
- Students eligible through the event or local association.
Auditions and events in Colorado
How does a clarinetist reach Colorado's top student honors?
The clearest school honor route for a Colorado clarinetist is the Colorado All-State Band audition, submitted by a school band director. Concert Band is for grades 10–12 at eligible CHSAA-member Colorado high schools; Symphonic Band is for grades 11–12 at any CHSAA-member Colorado high school. Students must participate in their school band, and the director submits the video by the November deadline. The 2027 deadline is November 20, and selected players attend the April 1–3 event. Individual players ages 11–14 also have the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) Junior Woodwind route: the state round comes first, then division video submissions, with national finals for advancing players.
The clarinet route in Colorado, step by step
- School bandJoin a high school band; All-State applicants must participate in their school's band program.
- Video auditionA school band director submits the student's All-State Band video by November 20, 2026, at 7 p.m.
- All-State weekendSelected students attend every event April 1–3, 2027.
- Individual competitionAges 11–14 can enter MTNA Junior Woodwind; state advancement leads to division video and possible national finals.
The Colorado clarinet year
Colorado All-State OrchestraEntry fee: $35 per auditionStart the piece Aug to Nov
Colorado All-State BandEntry fee: $25 per auditionStart the piece Oct to Jan
CSMTA Rising Stars FestivalColorado State Music Teachers AssociationStart the piece Oct to Jan
Working on the event piece, 3 to 6 monthsEvent
What do auditions ask you to prepare?
Colorado All-State Band clarinet auditions ask students for a portion of a solo or etude, sight-reading, and common scales and chords. An E-flat clarinet player must also audition on B-flat clarinet, which determines band placement. The Colorado State Music Teachers Association Rising Stars Festival asks soloists and ensembles for two contrasting selections by different composers, and the MTNA Junior Woodwind competition requires repertoire from at least two musical periods. Preparing a polished event piece usually takes three to six months of weekly lessons, giving you or your child time to build accuracy and confidence without rushing.
What else is there to enter?
Colorado's Solo & Ensemble Festival gives high school clarinetists a school-based performance goal beyond All-State; students must belong to a major school musical organization. The Colorado State Music Teachers Association also holds Achievement Day through local associations during the year. Its noncompetitive format suits a student who wants a performance experience without making competition the focus.
Clarinet events in Colorado, 2026–27
Colorado All-State Band
Colorado Bandmasters Association
- When
- April 1–3, 2027
- Entry
- $25 per audition
- Who
- Grades 10–12; students must be in their school music program during the event
Colorado All-State Orchestra
Colorado All State Orchestra
- When
- February 4–6, 2027
- Entry
- $35 per audition
- Who
- Grades 10–12; must meet school orchestra and academic eligibility requirements
CSMTA Rising Stars Festival
Colorado State Music Teachers Association
- When
- Usually April; 2027 date not posted
- Entry
- Ask the organizer
- Who
- Ages 6–19; non-collegiate
CSMTA Achievement Day
Colorado State Music Teachers Association local associations
- When
- Various dates during the year, set by local associations
- Entry
- Ask the organizer
- Who
- Student participants; age or grade eligibility varies by local association
Colorado State MTNA Competitions
Colorado State Music Teachers Association / Music Teachers National Association
- When
- 2027 date not posted
- Entry
- Ask the organizer
- Who
- MTNA student categories; Colorado event eligibility depends on competition category
Homeschool and private school students
Homeschool students can pursue Colorado's All-State Band route only by enrolling in and actively taking part in a curricular high school band; a private or extracurricular youth ensemble does not meet that rule. CHSAA applies its general eligibility rules to Solo & Ensemble as well. In Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak Home School Music offers band, orchestra, jazz band, and other programs for homeschool students ages 8 through high school, giving families a school-age ensemble route to explore.
Starting at any age
Starting a child on clarinet
Clarinet often suits a child around age 8 or 9, once the hands can cover the keys comfortably and the child can manage the instrument's breath support. Some Colorado schools offer band as early as fourth grade, while others begin in fifth or sixth, so private study before that point can make the first ensemble experience less overwhelming. A teacher can establish steady airflow, a clear first tone, and basic note reading, then help your child balance individual practice with school band music.
A teen in Colorado
A Colorado teen who wants the state's top band honor needs to be in a high school band program, and the All-State audition process starts in the fall. The school band director submits a video audition, with the deadline usually in November; selected students meet for the April weekend. Private lessons fit well alongside rehearsals because the teacher can focus on clarinet tone and individual passages while the school director prepares the full band. If a student is not ready for All-State, school festivals and private-study events still offer meaningful goals.
Starting or coming back as an adult
It is not too late to begin clarinet as an adult, and Colorado has welcoming ways to play with others. In Loveland, Northern Colorado New Horizons welcomes beginners as well as experienced players; the New Horizons Band of Colorado Springs lets adults visit a rehearsal, and Thornton Community Band offers concert, jazz, and chamber-winds ensembles for players with at least high-school proficiency. A dedicated teacher can meet you where you are, whether you are learning your first notes or returning to clarinet.
Finding the right teacher
What should a good clarinet teacher do?
A good clarinet teacher helps you or your child build an easy, supported tone, reliable finger technique, and the listening skills needed to blend in a band. In Colorado, that foundation also supports the sight-reading and solo preparation expected for All-State and student festivals. Training matters, but so does fit: a young beginner needs patient pacing, while a teen with an audition goal needs clear feedback and a workable practice plan; an adult returning to clarinet may want a less formal pace. Lesson With You lets you choose a teacher yourself or ask us to recommend one, and every teacher holds at least a bachelor's degree in clarinet.
How do live online clarinet lessons work?
A live Zoom clarinet lesson gives the teacher a real-time view of your embouchure, hand position, and instrument, while the microphone lets them hear tone, articulation, and pitch. Set up the camera so the teacher can see your face and hands, and use a quiet room where you can play comfortably. Online lessons are one-on-one and weekly with one dedicated teacher, so feedback builds from week to week without a commute. A student in Denver and a student in Greenwood Village have the same choice of teacher and the same lesson, rather than being limited to whoever is closest.
What $35 a week gets you at Lesson With You
CanonBachelor’s in ClarinetClarinet in Colorado
Beyond the main metro areas, Greeley Chamber Orchestra concerts welcome youth age 18 and under free, and the Baroque Chamber Orchestra of Colorado offers student tickets for its concerts. In Pueblo, the Municipal Band's free holiday concert is scheduled for December 20, 2026. These different settings let you or your child hear clarinet within orchestral and community music, even when a concert is not centered on the instrument.
Clarinet around Colorado, area by area
Denver area
Denver has a strong route into group playing through Denver Young Artists Orchestra, which includes weekly rehearsals, coached sectionals, and performances. Thornton Community Band offers Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Chamber Winds, with full-time high school and university students exempt from its annual fee. For listening, Levitt Pavilion Denver presents free all-ages summer concerts at Ruby Hill Park, making live music an easy family outing.
- School year
- Aug 24 to Jun 4, 37 lesson weeks (Denver County School District 1)
- Town guides
- Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Thornton, Arvada, Westminster, Centennial, Highlands Ranch
Colorado Springs area
Colorado Springs has a youth wind route through Colorado Springs Youth Symphony Association: Bravo! Winds serves developing intermediate players, while Pikes Peak Winds is for intermediate-to-advanced musicians. Young listeners can attend selected Colorado Springs Philharmonic concerts free when accompanied by an adult with a full-price ticket. Old Colorado City's Tuesday summer concerts in Bancroft Park are also free, giving families an outdoor listening option.
- School year
- Aug 12 to May 25, 37 lesson weeks (Colorado Springs School District 11)
- Town guides
- Colorado Springs, Security-Widefield, Fountain, Cimarron Hills, Fort Carson, Black Forest, Monument
Fort Collins area
A clarinet student in Fort Collins can hear the Fort Collins Symphony, which offers $10 student and child tickets to its Signature Concerts. In Loveland, the Loveland Orchestra's student season ticket includes one student ticket to each of six regular concerts. Those performances give students in the region a chance to hear orchestral clarinet in context, including how it blends with strings and other winds.
- Town guides
- Fort Collins, Loveland, Berthoud, Wellington
Boulder area
Boulder has both youth and adult ensemble options for clarinetists. Greater Boulder Youth Orchestras offers several orchestral levels as well as chamber music, while Boulder Concert Band accepts new members by audition when a section has an opening. To listen, CU Boulder College of Music student degree recitals and Faculty Tuesdays performances are free, offering regular ways to hear live music in the area.
- School year
- Aug 12 to May 20, 37 lesson weeks (Boulder Valley School District RE-2)
- Town guides
- Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, Louisville, Superior
Grand Junction area
In Grand Junction, students can hear concerts by the Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra with $5 student tickets, and Love Recital Hall concerts are free for students. In Delta, Valley Youth Orchestra offers a route for younger players and scholarships based on financial need. Together, these give clarinetists in the western part of Colorado a chance to hear orchestral music and work toward playing alongside other students.
- School year
- Aug 11 to May 25, 38 lesson weeks (Mesa County Valley School District 51)
- Town guides
- Grand Junction, Clifton, Fruita
Montrose area
Montrose Community Band welcomes musicians without auditions, and its members include middle-school students and adults. The group rehearses most Monday evenings at Montrose High School, so it can suit a clarinetist who wants regular ensemble playing without a competitive entry process. For listening, student single-concert tickets are available through Valley Symphony Association, and the Montrose Summer Music Series presents free concerts from June through September.
- School year
- Aug 17 to May 20, 36 lesson weeks (Montrose County School District RE-1J)
- Town guides
- Montrose
Durango area
Durango clarinetists can play with the San Juan Symphony Youth Orchestra or Junior Orchestra, which provide student ensemble opportunities. To hear the symphony, students can reserve free Coca-Cola tickets by calling the box office and asking for them by name. The combination gives a young player a practical way to connect private practice with live orchestral sound and ensemble experience in Durango.
- School year
- Aug 25 to May 28, 36 lesson weeks (Durango School District 9-R)
- Town guides
- Durango
A little clarinet history in Colorado
Colorado Clarinet Day, which began in 2012, rotates among the state's music colleges and has included both a concert and an open clarinet choir rehearsal and performance. That tradition gives clarinetists a chance to hear the instrument in a large group as well as in solo and chamber settings. The Colorado Symphony also features clarinet in its programs, including a May 2027 concert with clarinetist Jason Shafer. For a student, these events show that clarinet has a place in Colorado's musical life beyond school band.
Start Clarinet Lessons With a Free Trial
- One teacher, one student, one personalized plan
- Live weekly lessons from home with no commute
- Build tone, reading, reed confidence, and school-band skills
- Choose 30, 45, or 60 minutes after the free lesson
Frequently Asked Questions
Choose a clarinet teacher whose approach fits your age, goals, and learning style, and who can help with tone, technique, and the repertoire you want to play. Lesson With You offers one-on-one weekly Zoom lessons with teachers who hold at least a bachelor's degree in clarinet, and you can choose someone yourself or ask us for a recommendation.
Yes, because a teacher can hear your sound and see your embouchure, hands, and posture in real time over Zoom. Lessons are one-on-one and weekly with the same teacher, so you get ongoing feedback without a commute.
It depends on the district: band starts in fourth grade in Denver County School District 1 and at Ute Meadows in Jefferson County, fifth grade in Boulder Valley, and sixth grade in several other districts. Clarinet is typically chosen as part of a school band program, so private lessons can help a student get ready before that opportunity begins.
The main school route is auditioning for Colorado All-State Band through a high school band director, with eligibility based on grade and school band participation. Students ages 11–14 also have the MTNA Junior Woodwind competition, which starts with a state round and can advance to division and national stages.
Yes, but Colorado All-State Band requires homeschool students to enroll in and actively participate in a curricular high school band; an extracurricular youth group does not meet that requirement. Pikes Peak Home School Music in Colorado Springs offers band and other ensemble options for homeschool students ages 8 through high school.
Many children are ready around age 8 or 9, when their hands can cover the keys and they can manage steady breath support. Starting privately before a school band begins in fourth, fifth, or sixth grade gives a child time to build a first tone and basic reading skills.
No, adults can start or return to clarinet at any age, and a teacher can set the pace around your current skills and goals. Adult players in Colorado Springs and Loveland have New Horizons groups, while community bands in places such as Thornton and Montrose offer ensemble routes for players with the needed experience.
Clarinet lessons in Colorado typically cost about $76 an hour, or $34 to $56 for a half hour. Lesson With You charges per lesson with no term to sign up for, and the first lesson is free.