Colorado Academy Announces Entertainment Lineup for May Benefit Concert

The beloved biennial CA Concert will return to campus on Saturday, May 4, 2024—with two amazing acts, both chosen to create an unforgettable night of live music for an important cause. Colorado Academy is excited to announce the lineup for the 2024 Concert, presented by Aurum Home Technology and Jenna & Walker Stapleton. 

To open the 2024 event, CA welcomes back Colorado-based Nathaniel Rateliff for an acoustic solo performance in the CA Field House. Following Rateliff’s intimate set, Grammy-nominated Margo Price and her band will take the stage. 

“This year’s CA Concert is an incredible pairing. Nathaniel is known for his albums and shows with his band the Night Sweats, yet his solo work has received high critical acclaim around the world. He is a poignant and soulful writer and performer, and his recent solo tour around the US sold out in every market from New York to Los Angeles,” says Chris Tetzeli, CA parent and founder of 7S Management, a boutique artist-management company. “Margo Price is a force of nature and one of the most respected female Rock/Americana/Country artists on the scene. Her shows are filled with passion and energy, and she is adored by fans young and old. On the board of Farm Aid with Willie Nelson, Neil Young, Dave Matthews, and John Mellencamp, she is a warrior who stands up for what she believes in.”

“Interestingly, Nathaniel and Margo are friends, and they share a common path. Both followed their dreams through very hard times and persevered thanks to their dedication, great songwriting, and impassioned performances. I cannot wait for the CA community to share in this night of phenomenal music.” Tetzeli has helped the school pioneer and sustain the CA Concert series, which has always supported the school’s financial aid program.

Nathaniel Rateliff

The CA Concert evening kicks off by welcoming back Nathaniel Rateliff for an acoustic solo performance. ​Rateliff first performed at CA with his band, The Night Sweats, for the 2016 Concert. Described as “a Denver local folk-pop hero” by the New York Times, with Spin praising him for his “massive, alluring” voice, and Billboard dubbing him a “must hear,” Rateliff is a Colorado-based singer and songwriter whose influences stem from folk, Americana, and vintage rhythm and blues. Rateliff and his band have delivered acclaimed performances on Saturday Night Live and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and were featured in a segment on CBS Sunday Morning. His Denver 2023 show sold out at Ball Arena, as did 10 shows at Red Rocks Amphitheater. Rateliff’s hits include “S.O.B.,”, “And It’s Still All Right,” “Redemption,” and many others.

Margo Price and Her Band

​As with past CA Concerts, a brief intermission will follow Rateliff’s intimate set. This allows time for the Field House to be transformed to a club-style venue in preparation for Grammy-nominated Margo Price and her band to take the stage.

​The Nashville-based singer/songwriter launched her music career in 2016 with Midwest Farmer’s Daughter, marking the first time a solo female artist debuted in the top 10 of the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. Price has been the musical guest on Saturday Night Live and The Daily Show and was featured in a segment on CBS Mornings. She has also seen success performing in the UK, with her album reaching Number 1 on the UK Country Albums chart. In 2022, Price released her widely admired memoir, Maybe We’ll Make It. Nominated for Best New Artist in 2018 at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards, Price released her latest albums, Strays and Strays II, in 2023.

Check out the Spotify CA Concert 2024 playlist for a sample of solo acoustic songs by the amazing Nathaniel Rateliff and music by Margo Price and her band.

Support for Financial Aid

All net proceeds from the Concert support Colorado Academy’s financial aid endowment. For the 2023-24 school year, CA provided $5 million in financial aid to 18% of students. The school’s financial aid budget is also funded by The CA Fund and a percentage of tuition.

“Supporting families and helping the school to maintain and increase socioeconomic diversity is a vital piece of our mission and is critical to the kind of community we endeavor to build at CA,” says Head of School Dr. Mike Davis. “Through the CA Concert, the school will grow our financial aid budget and add to the diversity of our community, now and in the future.” 

How to Support the CA Concert 

Individual Concert tickets and Patron Packages will be available for purchase online February 21. Individual tickets ($250 early bird/$350 starting on April 8) will include general admission seating for Nathaniel Rateliff and Margo Price, plus all food and beverages. Want to meet Nathaniel Rateliff and Margo Price? Consider purchasing a Meet-the-Band ticket ($600 early bird/$700 starting on April 8). Financial assistance for tickets will be available to families who are currently receiving tuition assistance. Please note that this event is for guests 21+.

Patron Package benefits include a meet-and-greet with the performers, the best seats in the house for Nathaniel Rateliff, access to the Patron Bar near the stage, and special Concert memorabilia. There are three Patron levels available—Harmony Patrons ($20,000 with 8 seats), Melody Patrons ($8,000 with 4 seats), and Tempo Patrons ($3,000 with 2 seats). 

In addition to the musical performances, a pre-event party, and a meet-and-greet with performers for Patrons and Meet-the-Band ticket holders, concert-goers will have a chance to bid on a short list of music-themed and rare live auction items prior to Nathaniel Rateliff’s performance.

An online silent auction during the week prior to the CA Concert will be open to everyone (not just those attending the concert). It will feature items at a variety of price points, including teacher experiences, sports and outdoor packages, cuisine and wine, and unique opportunities for groups.

Concert Committee Involves All Divisions 

The CA Concert committee has members representing all the school divisions. It is chaired by Maggie and David Shapiro and includes: Caity and Alex Barton ’97, Janelle and Buck Blessing, Cameran and Tyler Boon, Annie and Rob Campbell, Polly and Patrick Edelmann, Jocelyn and John Ege, Lyndsey and Matt Farncombe, Willa and David Fawer, Andi and John Freyer, Alison and Merritt Gile ’95, Kelly and Andrew Haley, Mackenzie and John Hamilton, Ann and John Jordan, Cat and D.C. McEachern, Jennifer and Greg Miller, Amy and Andrew Mohraz, Kim and Matt Montgomery, Emily and Amit Mrig, Liz Buckingham Oertel ’93 and Chris Oertel, Healy and Ted Parks, Emily Philpott and Chris Tetzeli, Ann Benson Reidy ’88 and Kevin Reidy, Courtney and Jonathan Ringham, Melinda and Andrew Robinson, Erin and Isiah Salazar, Anjali and Tim Schulte, Elana and Ken Schwartzreich, Jessica and Ruben Sigala, Jenna and Walker Stapleton, Jenny Baker-Strasburg and Don Strasburg, Sirine and Ryan Swed, Marie and Quentin White, and Tricia and Patrick Youssi. 

Series Surpasses $1 Million in Support of Financial Aid

Singer-songwriter and actor Lyle Lovett helped inaugurate the CA Concert series in 2010.

The CA Concert series, launched in 2010 with the inaugural event featuring Lyle Lovett, has helped to raise more than a million dollars in support of financial aid. Other performers have included Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Colvin in 2012, Bruce Hornsby in 2014, Big Head Todd & the Monsters and Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats in 2016, Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue in 2018, and Isaac Slade of The Fray and Rodrigo y Gabriela in 2022. In alternating years, CA hosts its biennial auction event.

“It is only through the generosity of our community that we are able to create this kind of event and to generate such remarkable support,” says Davis. “We are deeply appreciative and also very excited about this May’s CA Concert.”

For more information about CA Concert 2024, contact CA Events Manager Nevare Desnoyers at 303-914-2509.