Education
Education & Engagement Programs
Cultivating generations of enthusiasts for live musical performance since 1992
Music Student Scholarships
With support from generous donors, the Festival awards annual music scholarships for 5 Grand and San Juan County students grades 2-12 for $300 each toward private music lessons or music camps. Thanks to the enthusiastic response of community supporters, the MMF has been able offer a new round of scholarships each year since 2017.
The current scholarship application round is NOW OPEN, and closes June 28, 2024. Recipients receive award notification in July. Awards are distributed and recipients are recognized at the annual MMF Labor Day Community Concert at Old City Park.
To fully or partially fund a music lesson scholarship, contact Erin Groves, Development and Community Engagement Director, at the Festival Box Office, 435.259.7003, or email: erin@moabmusicfest.org.
Summer String Camp
Summer String Camp is a collaboration between the BEACON String Program, Moab Music Festival, and Moab Folk Festival. Each summer, the MMF helps coordinate one week of summer string camp for Southeastern Utah string students of all abilities, ages 6-18. Camp provides level-appropriate daily instruction by professional coaches from around the region, music games, crafts, listening activities, and concludes with a casual camp recital and reception.
Registration for 2024 Summer String Camp opens March 1, 2024. Camp runs June 3-7, 2024 (8:30am-2pm daily).
School Assemblies
Every child enrolled in the Grand County School District attends a music assembly during the fall Festival, in which two of the Festival’s programs are presented in an accessible format to students, with supporting materials provided to the teachers for additional in-class learning. In recent years, featured artists have included big band musicians Kim Hawkey & Elvanelle, folk artists Brittany Haas & Friends, Latin jazz great Paquito D’Rivera, and various vocal programs from New York Festival of Song, to name a few.
Winterlude
In late January/early February, the Festival presents an abbreviated winter season with educational workshops, guest artist concerts, and outreach events. Guest artists have included violist/composer Jessica Meyer, Frye Street Quartet, the Alison Shearer Quartet, and international award-winning guitarist Tengyue Zhang. Winterlude includes:
- Workshops for local youth and adults lead by professional musicians
- Free and low-cost guest artist concerts
- Outreach events like visits to Grand County Schools, Grand Center, KZMU radio, musical story hour
- Winterlude Showcase featuring workshop participants and guest artists
Visit our Winterlude page for more info.
Musical Story Hour
The MMF and Grand County Public Library host four collaborative Musical Story Hour events throughout each year. The two organizations partner to read musically themed stories with live musical demonstrations by local artists for families with young children, newborn to early elementary. Events conclude with musically themed crafts and an instrument petting zoo. Featured instruments have varied from Japanese Taiko drums and the Aboriginal didgeridoo to classical strings and brass.
2024 Musical Story Hour Dates:
- February 1 – special Winterlude musical story hour at Star Hall
- April 5
- July 12
- November 8
Education Initiative Awards
Each year, the Festival solicits project proposals from all Grand County School District music educators in an effort to support local music education in the classroom. Awards fund music education resources for pre-k through high school programs. Requests typically include the purchase of items like new instruments, musical scores, and fund efforts such as ongoing music teacher training and class trips to musical events.
Education and Engagement programs are supported in-part by My Good Fund, the S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney Foundation, Dominion Energy, Rocky Mountain Power, the Janet Q. Lawson Foundation, Utah Division of Arts and Museums, On Stage in Utah, Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF), the George S. & Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, the City of Moab, The Synergy Company, Daynes Music, the sale of Festival program book ads, Moab Music Festival benefit events, and individual contributions.