Introducing DC Downbeat!

Now introducing DC Downbeat! A new program for Band and Orchestra for 4th, 5th, 6th grade students at Elementary Schools in the DCHS feeder area starting in the Fall of 2026. 

Students in a DC Downbeat class will participate in Band and Orchestra classes before and after school twice weekly, along with performing in concert 3 times over the course of the year. Classes will be offered from the week of September 14th, 2026 until May 5th, 2027. The classes will be offered on-site at Castle Rock, Flagstone, Rock Ridge, and Sage Canyon Elementary Schools. Students at South Ridge Elementary School will be able to join the band or orchestra at Castle Rock Elementary with bussing service provided to or from class. 

DC Downbeat is intended to be a low cost and accessible program for families. The program will be staffed primarily by certified and classified teachers of the Douglas County Schools District.

Tuition for DC Downbeat is $5 per week, plus a $50 registration fee, for a total annual cost of $200. Tuition is payable in two installments: $125 upon registration (which includes the $50 registration fee) and $75 in January 2027. Tuition will be pro-rated for students entering the program after October 1st. Tuition will be waived for students who qualify for Free or Reduced-Price Lunch. 

Families will be responsible for providing their student’s instrument, whether rented or purchased from a provider of your choice. The DC Downbeat staff will support participating students and families with resources and recommendations for renting instruments throughout the registration process, please follow the google form on the registration. If this presents a financial hardship, please reach out to the program coordinator—we are committed to finding options to ensure every student can participate.

To register for DC Downbeat, please follow this link on MySchoolBucks, or visit our site's registration page for more info.

You can direct any questions to program coordinator Josh Galerstein -  jgalerstein@dcsdk12.org

DCHS Orchestra Director & DC Downbeat Program Coordinator