The Strings Music Festival‘s School Days program plays a vital role in shaping the cultural and educational landscape of the Yampa Valley. Bringing live music into schools and offering field trips to the Strings Pavilion, the program reaches over 3,000 students annually—an experience that has become a cornerstone of the festival’s mission.
Katie Carroll, Director of Programs, describes the School Days initiative as “the heartbeat” of what the festival offers the community. “It’s the best thing that Strings does,” she says. “Being able to bring students to the pavilion and bring artists into the schools is so unique, and it’s the heartbeat of what makes everything possible here.” Carroll emphasizes the importance of the arts in fostering a love for music and theater at a young age: “If there isn’t a connection to the arts, then no one’s going to grow up and love music and arts and theater.”
One of the program’s standout features is its ability to provide students, many of whom may be experiencing live music for the first time, with a memorable and enriching experience. Carroll notes that introducing kids to live performances at an early age is crucial. “For many students, this is their first time seeing a live show that isn’t on TV, and it’s really magical.” To ensure students feel prepared and comfortable, Strings provides study guides and videos to help them understand what to expect when they visit the pavilion, from the seating arrangement to the use of “walking feet” in the space.
The goals of these field trips go beyond entertainment. “For that K-5 age group, we aim to introduce them to new cultures and help cultivate an understanding of other people and experiences,” Carroll explains. This cultural immersion often leaves a lasting impression on students, sparking curiosity and opening their eyes to the diversity of the world around them.
The in-school residencies, another key component of School Days, bring professional musicians directly into classrooms, allowing students to engage more deeply with the music and the artists. Carroll is particularly passionate about the songwriting program, which has reached eighth graders in rural schools. “We have professional songwriters and composers help the kids write a song inspired by their life and what they’re learning. Then we record the songs so they have a tangible piece of work, and they perform it for their peers.” Carroll’s excitement is palpable as she talks about how these projects build students’ self-confidence and foster collaboration. “I want every eighth grader in the Valley to be doing this,” she adds.
In this residency, music is not just a subject but a tool for learning across disciplines. “We’ve worked with English and social studies classes to create songs based on what students are studying,” Carroll says. She recalls a group of students from North Routt who wrote a powerful ballad about the Donner Party while learning about westward expansion. “It’s so deep. It became this power ballad!”
Each year, Carroll carefully curates the School Days program to ensure students are exposed to diverse musical genres and performances. “I’m always thinking about a three-year cycle to ensure that each grade group experiences something different every year.” From French-Canadian and Indian percussionist Tatum and his Tam-tams to Spanish-speaking hip-hop performances, the program aims to showcase unique and culturally rich performances that students wouldn’t encounter elsewhere.
“We focus on non-Western music and cultural storytelling,” Carroll says. This approach not only broadens the students’ musical horizons but also promotes an understanding of diverse cultural narratives.
The success of the School Days program is made possible through a combination of community partnerships and sponsorships. Carroll emphasizes the importance of collaboration with organizations like the Craig-Scheckman Family Foundation, the Yampa Valley Community Foundation, and local funders like Rotary Club and Sotheby’s. “It’s our responsibility to make sure every student can participate at no cost, and that takes a lot of community support.” From paying for bus drivers to translating study guides into Spanish, every detail is thoughtfully planned to ensure that the program is accessible and meaningful for all students.
As the School Days program continues to grow, Carroll’s vision remains clear: “I want to make it as easy as possible for our teachers, and I want to reach every student we can.” She acknowledges the critical role teachers play in supporting the program. “We still couldn’t do our programming without teacher support and buy-in. They recognize the importance of these experiences.”
With plans to expand the songwriting program to more schools, Carroll is hopeful that Strings will continue to make a profound impact on students in the Yampa Valley. “We’re making progress,” she says, “but there’s always more we can do.”
The Strings Music Festival School Days program, with its dedication to arts education, cultural enrichment, and community collaboration, truly embodies the spirit of what makes the festival a cherished institution in the Yampa Valley. Through thoughtful programming and deep community ties, the initiative ensures that music and arts education remain an integral part of students’ lives, fostering creativity and understanding in future generations.