REGISTRATION OPENS AUG. 24 FOR ASPEN MUSIC FESTIVAL AND SCHOOL’S AFTER-SCHOOL MUSIC PROGRAMS

PRESS CONTACTS:      

Kristin Cleveland

Publications and PR Coordinator

kcleveland@aspenmusic.org  |  970-205-5073

Christina Thomsen

Communications Assistant

cthomsen@aspenmusic.org  |  970-205-5071

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 24, 2018

 

 

REGISTRATION OPENS AUG. 24 FOR ASPEN MUSIC FESTIVAL AND SCHOOL’S AFTER-SCHOOL MUSIC PROGRAMS

The Aspen Music Festival and School’s AfterWorks program offers affordable after-school
music programs from Aspen to Glenwood Springs.

 

ASPEN, COLORADO — Registration opens August 24 for affordable after-school music programs offered by the Aspen Music Festival and School (AMFS) in 16 Valley schools. The AMFS’s AfterWorks program, now in its 13th year, offers after-school programs in collaboration with local schools from Aspen to Glenwood Springs. These programs are designed to complement the quality music instruction students receive from schools and private instructors. AfterWorks offers three main programs: Beginning Strings, Lead Guitar and the newly expanded Maroon Bel Canto Choirs.

 

Beginning Strings offers instruction in violin, viola or cello to students in grades 2–5. Each student receives private lessons, group classes, ensemble playing experience and performance opportunities. Participating schools are Basalt Elementary School, Crystal River Elementary School, Glenwood Springs Elementary School, Riverview School, Sopris Elementary School and a location to be determined in Aspen. The program costs $275 and includes 20 or more weeks of classes, a starter supply pack, private lessons, concerts and snacks. Students are responsible for renting or buying their instruments. Tuition and instrument scholarships are available.

 

Lead Guitar is open to students in grades 4 and up, and the program gives students instruction in classical guitar technique, music reading, theory, performance skills and ensemble playing. The program costs $225 and includes 20 weeks of classes, concerts and more. Participating schools include Aspen Middle School, Basalt Middle School, Carbondale Community School, Carbondale Middle School and Two Rivers Community School. Students are required to have their own classical, nylon-string guitar. Tuition and instrument scholarships are available.

 

The Maroon Bel Canto choral programs are bigger and better this year. Due to growth and high enrollment numbers, the program is expanding into two ensembles for the 2018–19 school year in order to best meet the needs of young singers of varying ages:

The Maroon Bel Canto Children's Chorus (MBCCC) gives students in grades 3 through 5 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 two mass rehearsals and a performance. The choir is open to all students with a desire to sing. Participating schools include the Aspen Community School, Basalt Middle School, Glenwood Springs Elementary School, Riverview School and Sopris Elementary School.

New to the Maroon Bel Canto choral program this year is the Maroon Bel Canto Singers (MBCS), a smaller, more select ensemble for older students, with or without prior choral experience. Designed for students in grades 6–8, the program gives singers the opportunity to rehearse weekly at their chosen MBCS school, participate in three MBCS Workshops, and perform in two concerts. With the focus on older middle-school singers, Maroon Bel Canto Singers will explore challenging and fun repertoire, develop sight-reading skills, and move quickly through advanced choral techniques. Starting in the second week of October and 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. Participating schools include Aspen Middle School, Basalt Middle School, Riverview School and Glenwood Springs Middle School.

 

The cost for both MBCCC and MBCS is $195 and includes 20 weeks of rehearsals, concerts, supplies and more. Scholarships are available.

 

Registration for all Aspen Music Festival and School AfterWorks programs runs through October 5, after which a late registration fee applies.

 

For more information or to register, visit www.aspenmusicfestival.com/afterworks or contact Katie Hone Wiltgen, director of education and community programming, at 970-205-5055 or khonewiltgen@aspenmusic.org.

 

 

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