Access to Artistry

Music Director Robert Moody

Each season during Festival Orchestra Week, Musicfest works to connect standout musicians from our Young Musicians Competitions with our Music Director, Robert Moody. These informal Hearings provide invaluable experience to each student, giving them an opportunity to play for and receive meaningful feedback from a nationally-renowned conductor! Below are some highlights from our 2021 Hearing:

Vanessa Wiliams

On November 8th, 2019 The Kellis High School Unified Pride Choir joined Festival Opener Vanessa Williams onstage for a unique arrangement of Ms. Williams’ beloved “Colors of the Wind” from Pocahontas. The choir, made up of public school students with and without intellectual disabilities, opened up the second half of the concert with Vanessa and inspired a standing ovation from the sold-out audience in attendance.

Chris Botti

On January 31st, 2020 trumpeter Chris Botti took time between his soundcheck and concert to host a Q&A with brass and jazz students from Arizona State University. Mr. Botti took questions on a wide array of subjects, sharing insights into launching a career, maintaining longevity and relevancy over an extended period, and how he plans his incredible shows with his collaborators. In addition to the special Q&A session, Musicfest was also excited to provide complimentary seats for the trumpet students to attend the performance.

Brian Stokes Mitchell

On February 7th, 2019, 50 students from Arizona State University, Grand Canyon University, and Arizona School for the Arts met with Broadway Legend Brian Stokes Mitchell before his concert that same evening. In a question and answer session facilitated by Musicfest Executive and Producing Director Allan Naplan, students heard from Stokes on a wide range of subjects ranging from stagecraft and diction to entrepreneurialism and personal marketing.

Jake Shimabukuro

In 2014 students from Musicfest’s Strummers Ukulele program met, rehearsed, and performed with Ukulele legend Jake Shimabukuro. Mr. Shimabukuro and the Strummers students performed alongside Maestro Robert Moody and the Festival Orchestra during their Orchestra Fest week.

Cantus Vocal Ensemble

During Winterfest 2015, Members of Cantus Vocal Ensemble met with students from the Arizona School for the Arts Choir program for coaching and a wide-ranging Q&A session before their concert that afternoon.

Masterclasses

Each year, students identified through Arizona Musicfest’s highly-regarded Young Musicians Competitions can be selected to participate in Masterclasses with featured Festival Artists.

On February 10, 2019, Young Musicians received coaching from featured Festival Chamber performers Trio Solisti before the trio’s performance in the MIM Music Theater that afternoon.

On February 20th, 2019, three Youth Pianists participated in a masterclass with Featured Festival Orchestra soloist Andrew von Oeyen. Students performed pieces by Ravel, Mendelssohn, and Chopin and received thoughtful critique and coaching from Mr. von Oeyen.

In February 2017, violin virtuosa and Musicfest featured artist Midori hosted a masterclass with violinists recognized through our competition series.

Festival Orchestra Outreach

Every February, some of North America’s finest orchestral musicians convene in the Valley for the Arizona Musicfest Festival Orchestra. During this exciting and jam-packed Orchestra Fest, orchestra members volunteer their time to visit area schools for masterclasses, sectionals, private lessons, and Q&A sessions.

In 2019, Musicians from the Festival Orchestra visited students in North Canyon, Shadow Mountain, and Paradise Valley High Schools, along with Arizona School for the Arts.

The Festival Orchestra will convene during the week of February 17-21, 2020. Please fill out the form below to request a visit:

Request a Visit