Education
Outreach Programming
Directed by its Mission, the Moab Music Festival provides cultural enrichment and music education in the local community with the help of visiting artists and various ongoing community partnerships. Since 1992, these efforts have produced a variety of programs for both children and adults during the Festival and throughout the year, with opportunities to learn more about music and explore personal musical talents and interests.
Music Student Scholarships
With support from generous donors, the Festival awards annual music scholarships for 5 Grand 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.
Applications are collected each spring. Recipients receive award notification over the summer. Awards are distributed at the MMF Labor Day Concert at Old City Park.
To fully or partially fund a music lesson scholarship, contact Erin Groves, Community Engagement Director, at the Festival Box Office, 435.259.7003, or email: erin@moabmusicfest.org.
To apply for the latest round of scholarships, click Apply Now below, and submit the online form by Friday, May 28, 2021, 5pm.
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 February, the Festival presents an abbreviated winter season that has featured partnerships with both the University of Utah and Utah State University, as well as solo artists like violist and composer Jessica Meyer and international award-winning guitarist Tengyue Zhang. This annual collaboration involves:
- Daily string workshops lead by professional musicians for Moab strings students and local music educators
- Community concerts at local galleries, state parks, and KZMU Community Radio
- Winterlude Chamber Music Concerts at Star Hall, including a student showcase.
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. For more information, click HERE.
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.
Summer Intern Program
Each summer the Festival selects high school students with an interest in Arts Administration or Music Performance for a three-month internship opportunity. Interns gain experience in customer service, marketing, Music Library management, Festival archive experience, artist hospitality, and more.
Education and Community Outreach programs are supported in-part by My Good Fund, the S.J. and Jessie E. Quinney Foundation, Utah Division of Arts and Museums, Western States Arts Federation (WESTAF), the George S. & Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, Chamber Music America, the Moab Arts Council, Daynes Music, the sale of Festival program book ads, Moab Music Festival benefit events, and individual contributions.