Gilliam Youth Services Center Partnership

"The outreach at Gilliam was by far the most interesting/impactful community engagement event I've done since moving to Colorado!" - Sphere Musician

24 classes / 36 hours of co-creation
Improvised jam sessions with youth
Original beats, lyrics, and live string arrangements
3 concerts for all 5 pods of students
Produced 3 polished recordings of student-written songs

You Were Wrong

00:00 / 01:34

Just A Moment My Love

00:00 / 02:49

I Need Your Love

00:00 / 01:57

Programs like our work at Gilliam are only possible through donations, grants, and community support. Your gift helps us bring music to young people facing extraordinary challenges—offering joy, empowerment, and creative expression where it’s needed most.

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"More important than the creation of polished songs is the opportunity for caring adults to spend time each week connecting with youth over our shared interest in music. These students find support, an artistic outlet, and the opportunity to be inspired by what they can create despite the short amount of time and the difficult situation. The power of music as a vehicle for social connection and change can not be overstated!”

-Alex Vittal, Executive Director, Sphere Ensemble

From November 2024 through April 2025, members of Sphere Ensemble teamed up with Colorado Music Bridge for a powerful creative residency at Gilliam Youth Services, a youth detention center in Denver. Over the course of 24 classes, we worked directly with students in a uniquely fluid and challenging environment—never knowing who would be in class that day, and often starting from scratch with no prior musical training or access to instruments.

Each session became a kind of musical jam session. We would start with beats or chord progressions until something sparked interest. Then, Sphere members improvised and layered live string parts while students jumped in—rapping, singing, or even recording piano, guitar, or bass if they had experience. With help from a grant-funded mobile recording studio, we captured these spontaneous, powerful moments.

Throughout the year, Sphere also performed three full-ensemble concerts at Gilliam, sharing music from our concert repertoire alongside pieces co-created with the students. In these performances, students heard their own music transformed and uplifted by a full string ensemble—a deeply affirming experience for all of us.

In June, a small group from Sphere returned to the project, collaborating with Timothy to produce polished versions of three original student songs using GarageBand and personal recording equipment. We edited vocals, arranged instrumental layers, and shaped the songs into complete works—honoring the voices, words, and ideas of the youth who created them. You can listen to these three songs above.

This ongoing partnership is one of the most meaningful ways we fulfill Sphere’s mission: using music to create connection, empowerment, and joy where it’s needed most.