Summer Programs
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the full 2020 session of the Aspen Music Festival and School is canceled. Registration for school-year AfterWorks programs (Beginning Strings, Lead Guitar, and Maroon Bel Canto Choirs) will open in August. 2021 summer information and registration for Education and Community summer programming will be available on our website in late winter.
The Aspen Music Festival and School offers a wide variety of kids and family programs meant to inspire the next generation of classical music enthusiasts. Whether you're enjoying a family picnic at Music on the Mountain, singing and dancing at Gotta Move!, or gathering a multi-generational group to enjoy a Family Concert, you're sure to experience the excitement of the Aspen Music Festival and School and create cherished family memories that will last a lifetime. Also, explore our summer long educational programs — not just for kids! These programs allow locals and summer residents the opportunity to learn and grow their musical skills with lessons and musical activities throughout the summer.
Select a program of interest below to learn more
Festival for Kids:
Kids Notes & Family Concerts | Gotta Move! | Tunes & Tales | Sing Play Move
Kids and Family Programs:
Music on the Mountain | Youth Discounts
Summer Educational Programs:
P.A.L.S. (Passes and Lessons Scholarship) Program | Festival Lessons
Festival for Kids
Kids Notes and Family Concerts
Description: Bring your children for free light fare and Kids Notes pre-concert activities at 3:30 pm followed by a free concert at 5 pm. Open to all ages.
Family Concert: GAIL KUBIK: Gerald McBoing Boing
TBA conductor
A lively, short concert that will introduce kids to the world of classical music. Young Gerald doesn't speak words—he makes sound effects instead. Dejected and feeling outcast at one point, he finds fame and fortune providing sound effects for a radio station. From a children's book by Dr. Seuss.
Arrive early for Kids Notes between 3:30 and 4:30 pm and enjoy free refreshments and activities designed to prepare kids for the concert.
Location: Meadows Hospitality Tent: pre-concert and reception, Harris Concert Hall: Family Concert
Date: Thursday, August 13
Kids Notes pre-concert event and reception: 3:30 pm (activities best for ages seven and younger)
Family Concert: 5 pm (open to all ages, with an adult)
Presented with special thanks to Pitkin County Dry Goods.
Gotta Move!
Description: Modeled on “Music Together,” children sing, move, and play instruments, developing their curiosity about music. Always engaging and captivating for young music lovers, kids are sure to have fun in this high-energy, multi-age environment. Easy parking for families in the Benedict Music Tent/Harris Concert Hall lot! Designed specifically for infants through age 5, with an adult.
Event 1:
Location: Benedict Music Tent - stage
Date: Monday, July 20, at 10:30 am
Event 2:
Location: Benedict Music Tent - stage
Date: Monday, July 27, at 10:30 am
Event 3:
Location: Benedict Music Tent - stage
Date: Monday, August 17 at 10:30 am
Annie Flynn – All-Valley Music Together
Tammy Barr – Aspen Music Together
Tunes & Tales
Description: In collaboration with the children’s librarians at the Pitkin County Library (Aspen) and Basalt Regional Library, kids are treated to enchanting stories blended with music performed by AMFS students. For kids under age 9, with an adult.
Location and Schedule:
Tunes and Tales at Basalt Regional Library: Tuesdays at 10:30 am (July 21 and 28, August 4 and 11)
Tunes and Tales at Aspen's Pitkin County Library: Thursdays at 10:30 am (July 16, 23 and 30, August 6)
For more details, visit the AMFS Events page
Sing Play Move
Description: An early childhood music education program for the youngest classical music fans! Sing Play Move’s curriculum is based in folk/world music, action and game songs, nursery rhymes, instrumental play, free/creative and guided movement, and simple composition. Children and parents alike will delight in using John Feierabend’s First Steps in Music, a music and movement program for infants through elementary-aged children that focuses on creating students that are tuneful, beatful, and artful. Learn more.
Location and Schedule: Because of the AMFS's delayed season start, the Sing Play Move program (originally scheduled for June 29-July 3) has been cancelled for summer 2020 and will return in summer 2021.
Festival for Kids is generously underwritten by The Aspen Thrift Shop.
Summer Educational Programs
Educational Programs listed below are for locals or summer residents of the Roaring Fork Valley
P.A.L.S. (Passes and Lessons Scholarship) Program
A summer program of private lessons, chamber music, music education activities, and exclusive access to the Aspen Music Festival and School's summer season.
Application opens Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at noon—Application deadline is Thursday, May 14, 2020 at 10 pm (MDT)
The P.A.L.S. program is designed for local students (full-time or full-time summer residents of the Roaring Fork Valley) who are currently studying an instrument (including voice) and wish to devote serious focus to this instrument during the summer months. The P.A.L.S. program is not for beginning students, as you should already have at least one school year of experience on your instrument before applying to P.A.L.S.
High school and middle school students (entering grades 6-12) can apply for acceptance into the eight-week P.A.L.S. summer program, and students entering grades 1-5 are eligible to apply for the Little P.A.L.S. summer program. Learn more.
Festival Lessons
Lessons with top AMFS students are available to all interested (part-time or full-time) residents of the Roaring Fork Valley each summer. Purchase a single lesson or a series. This opportunity is open to music enthusiasts of all ages, with or without prior music experience! $30 per half hour lesson. Learn more.
Kids and Family Programs
Music on the Mountain
Description: AMFS music students play spirited chamber music with the stunning Elk Mountain Range as a backdrop. Perfect for the whole family — bring a picnic or purchase lunch at the Sundeck restaurant. (Gondola ticket or strenuous hike required to get to this event.)
Location: Top of Aspen Mountain
Schedule: Dates TBD
For more details, visit the AMFS Events page
Youth Discounts
The Festival encourages children to come to concerts to experience the joy of live music. Children can attend events inexpensively with this program, which offers a heavily discounted Youth Season Pass (just $50!) and/or $5 tickets to children ages 4-18 for any regularly scheduled event. Music is a relevant and powerful force in the lives of all people, young and old alike.
For a classic family Festival experience, join us for free on the David Karetsky Music Lawn and in the Kaye Music Garden just outside the Benedict Music Tent. The Lawn and Garden are free and open at all times for those who wish to quietly listen to and enjoy the concert.
To learn more, please contact:
Katie Hone Wiltgen
Director of Education and Community Programming
970 205 5055
khonewiltgen@aspenmusic.org
Heather Kendrick
Manager of Education and Community Programming
970 205 5057
hkendrick@aspenmusic.org