Overview

The Festival is committed to advancing the public's understanding and appreciation of music through a variety of presentations. These include family friendly performances, free music education concerts, master classes, workshops, dance programs, films, lectures and numerous educational initiatives. In 2007, the festival reached more than 19,000 children, parents and teachers through these programs.


Download the schedule and application form for the 2008 Gulfstream Music Education Series.


CHILDREN'S CONCERT SERIES

Each year, the Children's Concert Series (for students Pre-K through 12) features performances by an exceptional array of musicians and educators. The series features a variety of musical genres that complement school curriculums and demonstrate the dynamic relationship between the performing arts and history, literature, and world cultures. Featured performers have included violinist Daniel Hope, Les Ballets Africains, songwriter Roger Day, the Atlanta Opera Studio, and many others. To inquire about education programs, contact Gene Pinion at (912) 234-3378 x102 or email gene@savannahmusicfestival.org


MASTER CLASSES

Savannah Music Festival's world renowned performers share their talents and experience with local and regional performing artists, as well as high school and college students, giving insight into their craft through one-on-one coaching sessions while others observe. Among our master class instructors have been guitarist David Russell, vocalist Elisabeth Howard, percussionist Hans-Kristian Sorensen, flamenco dancer Soledad Barrio and mandolinist Mike Marshall.

IN-SCHOOL ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE

Residencies offer a unique opportunity to target underserved groups through master classes, workshops, and discussions. Our pre-festival outreach program serves more than 5,000 area students in ten local elementary schools through informative and entertaining presentations by an individual artists.

SWING CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ BAND COMPETITION & WORKSHOP - Cash Awards!

2008 brings the launch of an ambitious effort: SWING CENTRAL High School Jazz Band Competition and Workshop. SMF Director Rob Gibson was Executive Producer & Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center, which annually staged the world-renowned Essentially Ellington high school jazz band competition in NYC. He sees SWING CENTRAL as the festival's next logical step for the high school jazz program given its momentum. The workshop and competition will take place between April 3 and 5, 2008, open to high school jazz bands from across the country. Committed to enhancing studies of the jazz tradition in the south, this new format fuses the already established high-quality mentorship program with a youth jazz band competition of national scope. Click here for more information