The Festival at Sandpoint entered the third year of its Pre-K Outreach program, a free series of in-class lessons designed to engage students through rhythm, movement, and song.

During each session, students focus on a specific rhythmic element while integrating new instruments. This rhythm-based approach helps students establish strong foundations at a pivotal age of 3-6 years, which is one of the largest gaps in music education nationwide.

The curriculum is tailored each year to work with existing music requirements in the local schools and introduce students to a myriad of instruments and new genres of music.

The Festival at Sandpoint is partnering with the Lake Pend Oreille School District to provide instrumental support for beginning band students.

In conjunction with our Instrument Library program, the Festival purchased 14 new Eastman student model trombones to outfit all seven LPOSD elementary schools.

Now, over 300 students throughout LPOSD will have access to low brass instruments as part of the 6th Grade Band Program.

The Festival at Sandpoint’s Youth Orchestra is currently accepting new members, with the first rehearsal being held on Monday, September 18, 2o23.

Classes are free for all ages and held weekly on Monday evenings.

Currently, the program is composed of two groups, a Beginning Orchestra and a Continuing Orchestra, both led by the Festival at Sandpoint’s Youth Orchestra Conductor, Karen Dignan. Both groups are open to any orchestral string players, including the violin, viola, cello, bass, and more.

The Festival at Sandpoint’s Instrument Library is now open for the school year.

In alignment with its non-profit mission to provide affordable and accessible music to the community, the Festival at Sandpoint offers a no-cost instrument library in an attempt to help keep music an affordable option for local families.

The Festival’s instrument library is available for anyone looking to play an instrument during the school year or summer. The school year check-out period begins in September and ends in June, while the summer check-out period begins in June and ends in August.

The Festival at Sandpoint has granted over $6,000 in five local high school and college students scholarships for accomplishments in music, writing, and art.

Violinist Hannah Adams was selected as the winner of the $2,500 2023 Festival at Sandpoint Instrumental Scholarship.

Festival at Sandpoint Instrumental Scholarship 2023 runner-up Evan Schwenk also received an award of $1,500.

Arie VanDenBerg was the recipient of the $1,000 2023 Charley Packard Memorial Songwriting Scholarship with his original song “We Ain’t Done” performed on guitar.

Since its launch in spring 2022, over 70 students at Selkirk School and Little Lambs Preschool have participated in the Festival’s Pre-K Outreach Program. Students learn to play six different non-pitched percussion instruments, count and read rhythms, and play parts within a group.

This free series of classes is designed to engage students through rhythm, movement, and song, culminating with a live performance.

The curriculum is tailored each year to work with existing music requirements in the local schools and introduce students to a myriad of instruments and new genres of music.

The Festival at Sandpoint is offering a new scholarship this year for students who are interested in pursuing a career in the music industry outside of live performance.

This scholarship is open to all Bonner County high school students pursuing a future career in the music industry, which includes, but is not limited to, music business, artist management, concert or venue promotion, e-commerce, music customer service, sound & light design and operation, and production management.

Scholarships will be awarded based on the applicant’s overall interest in pursuing a music business career as well as the student's financial need, academic records, and industry experience.