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 6 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.
The current scholarship application round closed June 30, 2023. 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, 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 10-14, 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 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 for youth and adults 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.
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.
2023 Musical Story Hour Dates: February 4, April 22, July 29, December 9
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.