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 led by Frank Thompson
Join our introduction to West-African Handdrumming!
Music meets the magic of cinema at our Movies @ Musicfest series! This year, we’re bringing you an inspiring lineup of music documentaries—exploring iconic artists, unforgettable performances, and the stories behind the soundtrack of our lives. Grab some popcorn and a soda, settle in for the film, and stick around afterward for a lively discussion with fellow music lovers! In 1962 four young men - John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr - came together to form the 20th century musical phenomenon known as 'The Beatles'. The band stormed Europe in 1963 and, in 1964, they conquered America. Their groundbreaking world tours changed global youth culture forever and, arguably, invented mass entertainment as we know it today.
Join us this summer for a special series on songs with Josh Condon, AZMF’s Resident Artist. Each session weaves together music history, thoughtful analysis, active listening, and engaging discussion—all designed to deepen your appreciation and enjoyment of great music. Come for the songs, stay for the coffee, conversation, and community, and rediscover some of the greatest music ever written! Effortlessly blending sophistication with charm, this jazz standard has become a timeless expression of longing and joy. Its elegant chord progressions and buoyant rhythm create a sense of lift—perfectly matching the song’s celestial imagery. Together, we’ll examine how melodic contour and harmonic movement evoke a feeling of weightlessness, and how different interpretations can transform its emotional character.
UPCOMING THEMES: Join us for AZ Musicfest's Summer Ukulele and Guitar Strummers Jams! A fun, relaxed setting to play together and perfect for all levels. The Summer Jams will be available online for anyone who is out of town but would still like to join. Sign up to be notified with any announcements and to receive the online link to join the jam as well as PDFs of the music. Paper copies will be provided at the Jam. Strummers Jams will take place at 1:00pm on the 3rd Tuesday of June, July & August with the following themes: June 16 - Musicals July 21 - Campfire Favorites August 18 - Beatles vs. Beach Boys
Music meets the magic of cinema at our Movies @ Musicfest series! This year, we’re bringing you an inspiring lineup of music documentaries—exploring iconic artists, unforgettable performances, and the stories behind the soundtrack of our lives. Grab some popcorn and a soda, settle in for the film, and stick around afterward for a lively discussion with fellow music lovers! Man on the Run is an intimate portrait of Paul McCartney’s journey after The Beatles, as he and wife Linda form Wings. Directed by Oscar-winner Morgan Neville, the film explores McCartney’s reinvention through rare archival footage, capturing both the struggles and triumphs of redefining himself in a new musical era.
Join us this summer for a special series on songs with Josh Condon, AZMF’s Resident Artist. Each session weaves together music history, thoughtful analysis, active listening, and engaging discussion—all designed to deepen your appreciation and enjoyment of great music. Come for the songs, stay for the coffee, conversation, and community, and rediscover some of the greatest music ever written! Often hailed as one of the most beautifully crafted songs in popular music, this piece redefines what a love song can be. Its unconventional structure, rich harmonies, and intricate vocal layering create a sound world that feels both intimate and expansive. We’ll dive into how these musical choices deepen the song’s emotional resonance, offering a powerful example of vulnerability expressed through innovation.
Music meets the magic of cinema at our Movies @ Musicfest series! This year, we’re bringing you an inspiring lineup of music documentaries—exploring iconic artists, unforgettable performances, and the stories behind the soundtrack of our lives. Grab some popcorn and a soda, settle in for the film, and stick around afterward for a lively discussion with fellow music lovers! Tracing the story of Ella Fitzgerald's life, this documentary film explores how her music became a soundtrack for a tumultuous century.
Join us this summer for a special series on songs with Josh Condon, AZMF’s Resident Artist. Each session weaves together music history, thoughtful analysis, active listening, and engaging discussion—all designed to deepen your appreciation and enjoyment of great music. Come for the songs, stay for the coffee, conversation, and community, and rediscover some of the greatest music ever written! With its gentle groove and haunting melody, this song captures the deeply personal experience of feeling seen through music. Its storytelling unfolds with quiet intensity, drawing listeners into a shared emotional space. In our discussion, we’ll explore how arrangement, dynamics, and phrasing work together to create intimacy—and how restraint can amplify emotional impact.
