Supplemental Program Offerings

The Aspen Music Festival and School recognizes the important role of chamber music in a classical musician's education. Engaging in small ensembles enhances collaboration, sound blending, and individual musicianship, allowing students to contribute to creating beautiful music together. As an optional extracurricular activity, students participate in intensive coaching and rehearsals in preparation for a Spotlight Recital performance. Groups will work intensively for three to four weeks, meeting two to three times per week for rehearsals and coachings with an AMFS artist-faculty member before their scheduled performance date. Performances will take place at Aspen venues, including Harris Concert Hall.

Orchestra students are assigned to ensembles comprising members from the same orchestra. Students under the age of 18 are assigned with peers of their age and ability. Pianists are assigned according to age and ability as well. Students approved for a late arrival or leave of absence prior to the on-time completion of the chamber music application may still be considered for chamber music placement dependent upon scheduling and faculty coach availability.

Placement: In April, students in the Orchestra/Instrumental, Solo Piano, and Collaborative Piano programs may apply to be placed in chamber music through their AMFS Student Portal. Chamber Music applications are due by May 1 for placement consideration. Best efforts will be made to place all chamber music applicants; however placement in an ensemble is not guaranteed due to faculty coach availability and overall program capacity. Students are welcome to form their own groups and rehearse independently but will not be assigned faculty coaches or offered performance opportunities through the program.

Wind Orchestra is a distinguished ensemble composed entirely of talented students and is led by an esteemed Woodwind artist-faculty member. Assignments within the program are carefully crafted by AMFS artist-faculty, allowing students to take on principal roles. Wind Orchestra rehearses throughout the summer, culminating in performances in venues around Aspen including the Klein Music Tent.

String players have the opportunity to apply for Aspen’s Center for Orchestral Leadership program, where they receive intensive training throughout the summer toward becoming leaders of an orchestra. Individuals selected for this opportunity will receive a fellowship, which includes tuition and room/board in School housing, or the option to receive a housing stipend to be used toward off-campus living expenses, as well as a $500 travel award.

Center Fellows will be members of the Assistant Principal Pool, performing alongside artist-faculty principal players and rotating within the section. They will also have the opportunity to be individually coached and mentored by seasoned principal players from major American orchestras and will receive critique and support from guest conductors. They will also have access to one-on-one coaching with professional coach, Lisa Husseini. Note that this is a rigorous program for those with high-level orchestra experience and an interest in honing their leadership skills. A statement of interest must be provided with the program of study application to be considered for this opportunity.

Aspen Music Festival and School aims to expand learning beyond exceptional musical instruction, empowering students to thrive both on and off the stage. Beginning in 2025, AMFS students will have access to a new educational offering: coaching with professional leadership coach Lisa Husseini. With a diverse coaching background—including work with individuals and teams from nonprofits and education-based institutions like New World Symphony, Johns Hopkins University’s Peabody Institute, MIT, Boston Symphony Orchestra, LA Phil, and the Sphinx Organization—Lisa brings a wealth of experience to the AMFS community.

COACHING OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE:

Creating a successful Summer (Welcome Week, In Person)

• During Welcome Week, all students will participate in this workshop to kick off the AMFS summer experience. This session will focus on the power of setting purposeful goals and intentionality. Concepts explored: Growth Mindset vs. Fixed Mindset, Internal Referencing vs. External Referencing, Goal Setting.
• Friday, June 27 – 10:00 am - 11:30 am M.T.

High-Performance Strategies (Virtual Workshops)

• Approximately 30 students will have the opportunity to apply for a virtual workshop series, titled High Performance Strategies, designed to help students develop the mindsets, behaviors, and strategies most conducive to cultivating success. Concepts explored: Mental Toughness, Focus and Prioritization, Radical Ownership, Healthy Control vs. Unhealthy Control.
• Applications for the virtual workshop series will open on April 15 through the AMFS Student Portal. Applications are due by May 1 for placement consideration.
• Workshops will take place via Zoom on the following schedule:
  
  • Saturday, May 24 – 10:00 am - 11:30 am E.T.
  • Saturday, June 7 – 10:00am - 11:30am E.T.
  • Saturday, September 6 – 10:00am - 11:30am E.T.

Individual Coaching Participants in the High-Performance Strategies workshop series and Center for Orchestral Leadership Fellows will have access to one-on-one coaching with Lisa Husseini.

At AMFS, social programming and residence life initiatives play a vital role in supporting a sense of community within the student body. Summer events often include, but are not limited to:

• Affinity Group Mixers
• Movie Nights
• Weekly Hikes
• Yard Games
• Ice Cream Socials
• Trivia Nights
• Soccer Matches
• Musicians’ Wellness Sessions
• Student Dinners with Aspen Community Members
• Idea Exchange Lunches with the President and CEO
• Donuts with the Dean

We encourage students to connect with Residence Life once on campus to partner on programming for the summer—returning students have helped implement events like soccer matches and salsa dance lessons!

The AMFS is committed to increasing access to music education for local youth, families, and community members in Aspen and its surrounding valley. In alignment with the AMFS mission to respect and nurture the Aspen Idea and community through music, we encourage AMFS students to participate in a variety of teaching and community outreach opportunities while in Aspen.

In Aspen, students have the chance to strengthen their community engagement skills by participating in several valuable offerings from the AMFS Education and Community department, such as:

• Teaching in the P.A.L.S. (Passes and Lessons Scholarship) and/or Festival Lessons programs: A great opportunity to refine pedagogical skills and mentor a local student while earning an income.
• Gigging through the Hire a Musician program: This initiative connects students with paid performance opportunities, including weddings, corporate events, busking, and more.
• Participating in the AMFS Mariachi Workshop: This workshop brings together professional mariachi, teaching artists, and local students to learn and perform Mariachi music. AMFS students can mentor local middle and high school musicians from the AMFS AfterWorks program, which offers after-school music classes throughout the year, and perform alongside them in a culminating community concert.
• Engaging in children’s programming: AMFS students can perform at Tunes and Tales—music combined with storytelling—or demonstrate their instrument at the Family Concert for local kids and families, fostering a love for music in the next generation!

To learn more about the AMFS’s Education and Community department, please visit aspenmusicfestival.com/education.