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:
Free drum circles lead by Frank Thompson
Join our introduction to West-African Handdrumming!
Participate in a lively exploration of a wide range of musical genres in this music-listening club. Gather with fellow music lovers to discover new music, learn in-depth about old favorites, and share your own must-know pieces!
Based on Tchaikovsky's 1892 piece of the same name, jazz legends Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn penned their own jazz-inspired interpretations in this album released in 1960 (As an aside, here we are 63 years after Ellington's release, which was only 68 years after Tchaikovsky's premiere!). Join us as we explore how this entire work demonstrates not only the brilliant orchestration skills of Ellington and Strayhorn, but also Tchaikovsky's melodic genius that allowed his music to transcend genres. The album, complete with the score, can be listened to below!
Participate in a lively exploration of a wide range of musical genres in this music-listening club. Gather with fellow music lovers to discover new music, learn in-depth about old favorites, and share your own must-know pieces!
Review the basics and learn new uke techniques!
Extend your ukulele practice by jamming with Teaching Artist Emily Bruso and fellow ukulele enthusiasts!
Participate in a lively exploration of a wide range of musical genres in this music-listening club. Gather with fellow music lovers to discover new music, learn in-depth about old favorites, and share your own must-know pieces!
