Education

Created in 2004 Tune-UP! is a educational music project created and funded by the Grand Teton Music Festival to provide Jackson Middle and High School Band and Orchestra students with more individual instrumental instruction. The Tune-UP! Program provides additional instrument instructors, all local musicians, to come into the classroom to lead instrument sectionals and give students individual attention.

Promising Jackson instrumental music students are linked with Grand Teton Music Festival orchestra professionals for a weeklong mentoring program during the summer Festival season. These students gain exposure to the music business, sit beside the Orchestra musician in rehearsal, receive private instrumental lessons, participate in behind-the-scenes preparations, and also interact with professional musicians in informal settings. CLICK HERE to watch a video about the Mentorship Program!

A unique three-day string clinic brings together the 8th grade orchestra students of Jackson Hole Middle School and Star Valley Middle School and Barbara Scowcroft, the Music Director of the Utah Youth Symphony for an intense collaborative rehearsal and concert experience. Culminating in a public performance at Walk Festival Hall, StringFest transforms young string students from rival districts into one cohesive ensemble. CLICK HERE to watch a video about StringFest

The Festival opens the doors of Walk Festival Hall to present a rare opportunity to local choir, band and orchestra students. Choir, Orchestra and Band ensembles of Jackson Hole Middle and High Schools have the opportunity to perform in the Festival’s professional, acoustically mastered concert hall, an experience they won’t soon forget.

Guest artists from the Festival’s winter concert series present a concert during the day for local students. In January, February and March area schoolchildren are bused into Walk Festival Hall for school-day concerts presented by guest artists from the Festival’s winter concert series. Hundreds of students attend each time, learning social skills and concert etiquette in addition to the musical content. Elementary school grade levels are targeted in this program so that children are introduced to all the instrument families before they are asked to choose applied music classes (choir, band or orchestra) in the 6th grade.

For many students it may be their first experience with classical music, or their first time hearing a live performance.

Free and open to concertgoers of all ages, this fun and educational concert for children and families features the guest artists from our winter concert series presenting a fun, interactive and educational program. Following the program concertgoers are given the unique opportunity to try playing the instruments they have just heard at the ‘Instrument Petting Zoo’ presented on stage. CLICK HERE to view a video about our Winter Family Concerts!

Free and open to concertgoers of all ages, this fun and educational concert for children and families is always one of our most popular offerings of the year. The Music Machine (Festival Orchestra) puts on a special concert just for kids, designed to give wee ones their first taste of classical music. CLICK HERE to view a video about the Firebird 6:15 Music Machine from the Grand Teton Music Festival 50th season!

‘Opera in the Schools’ is a brand new Grand Teton Music Festival Education Program. Utilizing the MET Opera: Live in HD Broadcasts, the Festival seeks to share opera with local choral students at the Middle and High School. Each year The Festival will bring in guest lecturers, artists or traveling opera troupes in to the schools as well as inviting students to spend an afternoon at Walk Festival Hall for an exciting MET Opera: Live in HD Broadcast. CLICK HERE to view a video about our 2012-2013 Met Opera Season.