School Year Programs

During the School Year

The Aspen Music Festival and School’s Community and Education programs offer a broad spectrum of the highest quality in educational music experiences to all ages of the public in the Roaring Fork Valley. The programs listed below are a great resource for area music instructors as well as parents interested in enrolling their children in enriching music programs. For information on the AMFS's summer lessons programs please visit the Summer Programs page.

 

AfterWorks

The Aspen Music Festival and School's "AfterWorks" after-school programs partner with area schools to offer music education at the end of the school day and during the curricular school day. The after-school programming is designed to complement the quality music instruction students receive from schools and private instructors.

 

Beginning Strings  

The Beginning Strings Program is open to elementary aged students who wish to study a string instrument through a curriculum that starts with group lessons, private lessons, and performance opportunities and progresses to master classes, ensemble playing, and beginning work in chamber music. Our highly experienced teachers will work to help students develop a joy and love for music through string education and performance. This program is a wonderful opportunity for children interested in music to begin playing violin, viola, or cello in a supportive, engaging musical environment.  Open to students in grades 2-5, and through middle school for students with past Beginning Strings experience.  Learn more.

 

Chamber Music Lab

Love to make music with a small group of friends?  Want a learning and performance opportunity specifically designed for advanced string players?  Moved past the Beginning Strings class level but still want to be involved?  AMFS Chamber Music Lab is for you!

In this chamber music program designed specifically for older and advanced string players, you will work in small groups to develop ensemble skills, learn new music and techniques, and expand your independent musicianship with a dedicated ensemble coach.  Learn more.

 

Lead Guitar

Lead Guitar students learn classical guitar technique, music reading, theory, performance skills and ensemble playing in twice-weekly group classes, through which they develop their self-discipline, self-esteem and ability to work as a team - attributes that help them realize success throughout their lives!  The Lead Guitar curriculum emphasizes music reading, allowing students to become independent musicians, capable of taking their guitar skills to any style of playing.  Open to students in grades 5 and up.  Learn more.

 

Maroon Bel Canto Choirs

Maroon Bel Canto Choirs offers two choir divisions:  Maroon Bel Canto Children’s Chorus (for upper elementary school students) and Maroon Bel Canto Singers (for middle school students).

Maroon Bel Canto Children's Chorus (MBCCC) gives students in upper elementary school the chance to participate in a traditional children’s choir with other young singers and learn the foundation of choral singing in a fun, supportive, high-energy environment. Singers rehearse weekly at their chosen MBCCC school site and then join with singers from across the valley in a mass rehearsal and a performance in mid-March. The choir is open to all students with a desire to sing.

Maroon Bel Canto Singers (MBCS) is a smaller, more select ensemble for older students, with or without prior choral experience. In this choir for middle school students, singers rehearse weekly at their chosen MBCS school, participate in a MBCS Workshop, and perform a concert in March. With the focus squarely on older middle-school singers, we’ll learn challenging and fun repertoire, develop sight-reading skills, and move quickly through advanced choral techniques!  Ending before Spring Break, MBCS is designed so busy middle school students can sing in the ensemble and still participate in other after school activities and athletics, including spring sports.  Learn more.

 

AfterWorks Refund Policy

 

Musical Connections

The Musical Connections program enriches the lives of Roaring Fork Valley children and adults by bringing accomplished musicians to local schools and performance venues for residencies and concerts. Musical Connections also offers honor ensemble opportunities to talented students in the Roaring Fork Valley's band and choir programs.

AMFS Honor Ensembles  

The Aspen Music Festival offers both an Honor Band for middle school students and Honor Choir for high school students in the Roaring Fork Valley. These ensembles offer students an immersive experience that includes a full day of side-by-side rehearsals and sectionals led by music professionals. The day concludes with an exciting free concert that evening in Harris Concert Hall showcasing the hard work of the students throughout the day. Learn more.

Musicians in the Schools  

AMFS works with the University of Colorado - Boulder's College of Music and professional ensembles to bring residencies to the classrooms of the Roaring Fork Valley.  In collaboration with the Basalt Regional Library, our Musicians in the Schools residency artists perform on the BRL’s Music at the Library series.  Learn more.

Educational Support 

Our Education Department is happy to assist local music teachers in their classrooms. Contact the Education department to set up an appointment. Learn more.

 

Significant underwriting of the AfterWorks program is provided by:

The Meinig Family Foundation

NOTE FOR PARENTS/GUARDIANS:  Throughout the summers and school years, the AMFS staff photographers take photos/videos of select AMFS Education events, including during Musical Connections events and classes and performances of Beginning Strings, Lead Guitar, and Maroon Bel Canto Choirs.  By attending the events and/or registering students for these programs, parents and/or legal guardians give permission for their child’s likeness to be used in photographs, video, or any media created and distributed by the AMFS or AMFS-approved entities.  If you do NOT wish your child's likeness to be used in photographs, video, or any forms of media by the AMFS, please contact education@aspenmusic.org and include "Photo/Media Opt-Out" in the email subject field.

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To learn more, please contact:

Heather Kendrick Stanton
Vice President of Education and Community Programs
970 205 5057
education@aspenmusic.org