Musical Connections
The Musical Connections program brings support to the music educators and music students of the Roaring Fork Valley by offering in-school enrichment and programming designed for students involved in their school music programs. Through programs such as AMFS Honor Ensembles, Musicians in Schools, Educational Support, and Musical Connections Concerts, teachers are able to enhance their core curriculum with quality music experiences for all involved students.
AMFS Honor Ensembles | Musicians in the Schools | Educational Support
AMFS Honor Ensembles
All-Valley Honor Ensembles are on hiatus for 2022-2023. We look forward to resuming these programs in future school years.
All Valley Middle School Honor band last occured on March 4, 2020. Both All-Valley Middle School Honor Band and All-Valley Honor Choir events were put on hold during COVID restrictions.
All-Valley Middle School Honor Band
March 4, 2020
On March 4, the talented students of the Roaring Fork Valley’s middle school band programs were featured on stage in Harris Concert Hall in the fifth-annual All-Valley Middle School Honor Band, conducted by Dr. Matthew Forte.
The All-Valley Middle School Honor Band again featured top 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade band students from all Valley middle schools, selected based on nominations from band directors. Repertoire was in part chosen based on school director recommendation to feature music that students were currently studying with their school ensembles. Professional musicians were hired as principal players/section leaders within each section. The honor band event concluded with a free concert Wednesday evening in Harris Concert Hall at 7:00pm.
Musicians in the Schools – AMFS Residencies
The AMFS works with the University of Colorado – Boulder College of Music and professional chamber ensembles to bring residency performance opportunities to the Roaring Fork Valley.
CU Boulder - String Quartet: Lirios Quartet
(January 30 - February 1, 2023)
The University of Colorado - Boulder Graduate String Quartet in Residence, the Lirios Quartet, headlined the Musicians in the Schools program with their first visit to the Roaring Fork Valley. They worked with students in elementary schools across the area and with students enrolled in the AMFS Beginning Strings and Chamber Music Lab programs. During their residency, the quartet presented a free performance at the Basalt Regional Library as part of the Music at the Library concert series on Tuesday, January 31, 2023.
CU Boulder – Brass Quintet: Ensemble Flatirons
(March 13 - 15, 2023)
The University of Colorado - Boulder Graduate Brass Quintet in Residence will visit the Roaring Fork Valley in March 2023. Their residency will include interactive concerts for elementary schools, side-by-side rehearsals, and masterclass opportunities for middle and high school bands. The quintet will present a free performance at the Basalt Regional Library as part of the Music at the Library concert series on Monday, March 13, 2023.
Professional Residency & Community Event: For the Trees with the Ivalas Quartet
Wednesday, April 5, 2023 | 5:30pm | Basalt Regional Library
For the Trees is an immersive, multi-media show centered on the new string quartet by University of Colorado - Boulder composer and professor, Dr. Jeffrey Nytch and performed by the Ivalas Quartet, currently in residence at The Juilliard School. The show features live music, video and sound design to tell the story of "Big Lonely Doug," a 1,000-year old Douglas Fir on Vancouver Island, BC. Following the performance, there will be time to engage in discussion about deforestation around the world and its contribution to climate change and the environment.
The AMFS is proud to present this community event in partnership with the Aspen Center for Environmental Studies, Basalt Regional Library, Farm Collaborative, and the Roaring Fork Conservancy.
Educational Support
Our Education Department is happy to assist local music teachers in their classrooms. Contact Heather Kendrick to set up an appointment.
Significant underwriting of the Musical Connections program is provided by:
Western States Arts Federation
To learn more, please contact:
Heather Kendrick
Dean of Education and Community
970 205 5057
education@aspenmusic.org
To support this program, please contact:
Kat Berg
Donor Stewardship Manager
970 205 5061
kberg@aspenmusic.org