A key part of our Mission, for the last 30 years Musicfest has identified, supported, and promoted numerous aspiring Young Musicians from around the Valley of the Sun and Tucson area.
Through our highly-regarded Competitions, each year Musicfest supports Young Musicians with commentary, praise, and critique from some of the area’s finest musicians. Standout participants earn prizes and performance opportunities through our Young Musicians Concerts in the MIM Music Theater. These extraordinary students are also invited to Masterclasses and Private Lessons with some of our featured Festival Performers. As students transition their studies to the collegiate level, Musicfest proudly sponsors two first-year and four continuing students pursuing undergraduate studies through the Musicfest Scholarship Program.
Select from the tabs on the left to find out more!
Young Musicians CompetitionsThe Young Musicians Competition recognizes the outstanding talents of young musicians, provides a space where young competitors can perform for and receive evaluations from respected judges, and distributes monetary awards to winners who may also earn opportunities to perform as part of the Arizona Musicfest concert series.
Click below for competition details, rules, and applications:
Arizona Musicfest ScholarshipSince 2011, the Arizona Musicfest Scholarship Program has generously awarded over ninety thousand dollars to Arizona students pursuing college degrees in music.
Arizona Musicfest Scholarship recipients are currently pursuing or have recently earned degrees from the following distinguished institutions:The Juilliard School, New England Conservatory of Music, The Cleveland Institute of Music, USC’s Thornton School of Music, Biola University, Arizona State University, The Eastman School of Music, Vanderbilt University, and Curtis Institute of Music.
Learn about past recipients and find application information through the link below!
During the 2022-2023 season, Arizona Musicfest will produce a series of three Young Musicians Concerts at the MIM Music Theater in Phoenix. Join us and experience virtuosity from the start! Follow the links below to purchase tickets:
Join our introduction to West-African Handdrumming!
Free drum circles led by Frank Thompson
UPCOMING THEMES: July 21- Hawaiian Favorites August 18- Songs from the Garden September 22- Broadway Hits
Join us for a gathering of music lovers every other Wednesday morning from June through September, hosted by Josh Condon, AZMF’s Resident Artist. Each session blends music history, analysis, active listening, and engaging discussion, all designed to deepen your appreciation and enjoyment of great music. Whether you're a seasoned aficionado or simply curious, come enjoy coffee, community, and some of the greatest music ever composed. A gentle piano ballad with a powerful message, “Imagine” invites us to envision a world united by peace, compassion, and hope. Released during a time of global unrest, John Lennon’s anthem became a defining song of a generation—and remains a touchstone for dreamers everywhere. In this session, we’ll unpack the song’s lyrical simplicity, cultural impact, and lasting resonance as both protest and prayer
Course Overview Group Piano Fundamentals is a welcoming course designed for adult beginners with either minimal or no prior piano experience. In a supportive group setting, students explore the foundational elements of piano playing and music theory, progressing from elementary to intermediate levels. The course incorporates technology such as digital sheet music, interactive apps, music theory games, and ear training tools to create a dynamic and engaging learning experience. A key component of the course is the use of the Piano Marvel app, a powerful learning platform that enhances practice, progress tracking, and sight-reading development. Piano Marvel provides instant feedback on accuracy and rhythm, structured curriculum levels, video tutorials, and personalized learning paths that align with each student's goals. What You’ll Learn: Healthy Piano Technique (Taubman Approach): Develop proper body alignment, hand positioning, coordinated movements, and ergonomic technique for long-term success and injury prevention. Basic Music Theory: Learn to read music, understand intervals, scales, and chord progressions through traditional instruction, interactive apps, and gamified learning. Piano Ensemble: Collaborate with fellow students in multi-part pieces, fostering rhythm, listening, and ensemble skills in a fun, community-based format. Improvisation: Explore basic improvisation techniques to enhance creativity and confidence in self-expression at the keyboard. Course Topics Include: Music Notation: Clefs, notes, durations, and time signatures Musical Terms: Essential vocabulary for reading and interpreting music Intervals, Pentachords, Triads, and Inversions Major Scales and Application in Repertoire Chord Progressions: I, IV, V, and vi chords in various keys Repertoire: Simple melodies, homophonic textures, block and broken chord accompaniments Materials Provided: Printed and digital sheet music tailored for beginners Practice resources including sight-reading and music theory apps Access to online video tutorials and supplementary learning tools What You’ll Need: To take advantage of all of Piano Marvel's features, we recommend practicing on a MIDI enabled piano. If you are using an acoustic piano, you can use Piano Marvel in "Book Mode". There ...
Course Overview Group Piano Fundamentals is a welcoming course designed for adult beginners with minimal or no prior piano experience. In a supportive group setting, students explore the foundational elements of piano playing and music theory, progressing from elementary to intermediate levels. The course incorporates technology such as digital sheet music, interactive apps, music theory games, and ear training tools to create a dynamic and engaging learning experience. A key component of the course is the use of the Piano Marvel app, a powerful learning platform that enhances practice, progress tracking, and sight-reading development. Piano Marvel provides instant feedback on accuracy and rhythm, structured curriculum levels, video tutorials, and personalized learning paths that align with each student's goals. What You’ll Learn: Healthy Piano Technique (Taubman Approach): Develop proper body alignment, hand positioning, coordinated movements, and ergonomic technique for long-term success and injury prevention. Basic Music Theory: Learn to read music, understand intervals, scales, and chord progressions through traditional instruction, interactive apps, and gamified learning. Piano Ensemble: Collaborate with fellow students in multi-part pieces, fostering rhythm, listening, and ensemble skills in a fun, community-based format. Improvisation: Explore basic improvisation techniques to enhance creativity and confidence in self-expression at the keyboard. Course Topics Include: Music Notation: Clefs, notes, durations, and time signatures Musical Terms: Essential vocabulary for reading and interpreting music Intervals, Pentachords, Triads, and Inversions Major Scales and Application in Repertoire Chord Progressions: I, IV, V, and vi chords in various keys Repertoire: Simple melodies, homophonic textures, block and broken chord accompaniments Materials Provided: Printed and digital sheet music tailored for beginners Practice resources including sight-reading and music theory apps Access to online video tutorials and supplementary learning tools What You’ll Need: To take advantage of all of Piano Marvel's features, we recommend practicing on a MIDI enabled piano. If you are using an acoustic piano, you can use Piano Marvel in "Book Mode". There is ...
This summer, join us every other Wednesday from June through September for Musicfest at the Movies, where music takes center stage on the big screen! This year’s series features an inspiring selection of music documentaries—spotlighting iconic artists, unforgettable performances, and the stories that shaped the soundtrack of our lives. After each film, stick around for a relaxed, engaging discussion where we’ll share insights, reactions, and reflections on what we’ve just seen. Whether you're a lifelong music lover or simply curious, this is your chance to experience the magic of music and movies—together. Popcorn and soda provided! A genius. A rebel. A relentless innovator. Through rare archival footage and candid interviews, this portrait of Miles Davis explores the man behind the trumpet—from his musical breakthroughs to his personal battles. More than a biography, it’s a journey into the heart of modern jazz and the fearless spirit of one of its greatest pioneers.
Join us for a gathering of music lovers every other Wednesday morning from June through September, hosted by Josh Condon, AZMF’s Resident Artist. Each session blends music history, analysis, active listening, and engaging discussion, all designed to deepen your appreciation and enjoyment of great music. Whether you're a seasoned aficionado or simply curious, come enjoy coffee, community, and some of the greatest music ever composed. With its tender melody and bittersweet lyrics, “My Funny Valentine” has become one of the most enduring ballads of the Great American Songbook. Originally written for the Broadway musical Babes in Arms, the song took on a life of its own—recorded by everyone from Frank Sinatra to Ella Fitzgerald to Chet Baker. In this session, we’ll explore the song’s unusual charm, rich harmonies, and why its imperfect love story continues to move listeners nearly a century later.
This summer, join us every other Wednesday from June through September for Musicfest at the Movies, where music takes center stage on the big screen! This year’s series features an inspiring selection of music documentaries—spotlighting iconic artists, unforgettable performances, and the stories that shaped the soundtrack of our lives. After each film, stick around for a relaxed, engaging discussion where we’ll share insights, reactions, and reflections on what we’ve just seen. Whether you're a lifelong music lover or simply curious, this is your chance to experience the magic of music and movies—together. Popcorn and soda provided! Few figures in music are as influential—or as multifaceted—as Quincy Jones. This intimate documentary, co-directed by his daughter Rashida Jones, offers a behind-the-scenes look at his decades-spanning career as a composer, producer, arranger, and trailblazer. From Ray Charles to Michael Jackson, Quincy’s story is a masterclass in creativity, resilience, and the power of connection.
Join us for a gathering of music lovers every other Wednesday morning from June through September, hosted by Josh Condon, AZMF’s Resident Artist. Each session blends music history, analysis, active listening, and engaging discussion, all designed to deepen your appreciation and enjoyment of great music. Whether you're a seasoned aficionado or simply curious, come enjoy coffee, community, and some of the greatest music ever composed. Part love song, part nostalgic reverie, “Georgia on My Mind” blends blues, jazz, and soul into one unforgettable tune. Though originally written in the 1930s, it was Ray Charles’ heartfelt rendition that turned it into a national treasure—and eventually, the official state song of Georgia. In this session, we’ll trace the song’s evolution, explore its deep emotional pull, and listen closely to what makes it a masterclass in musical storytelling.