When Savannah-area elementary school students return from winter break in January, it will be to the tune of great music. Savannah Music Festival's (SMF) Musical Explorers program will host its concert week January 13–16, 2026. The concert celebrates the conclusion of the Musical Explorers 2025–2026 season which began in July 2025.

Developed in partnership with Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute, Musical Explorers connects elementary students to diverse musical communities. It is a free program and participants build basic music skills as students learn songs from different cultures and reflect on their own communities. After focusing on three musical traditions each semester, in-person concerts allow students to “meet” the professional musicians.

During the 2025–2026 school year, elementary school students explored the musical traditions of opera, Afro Cuban music and Korean music. The program was packed with informative lessons, articles and books, supplemental songs and videos, activities and more.

“Musical Explorers is all about opening doors to the world through music and celebrating the incredible sounds and cultures of talented artists,” said Jenny Woodruff, Senior Director of Community Impact at Savannah Music Festival. “We’re thrilled to give students and educators the opportunity to experience these traditions live, fostering curiosity, connection, and a lifelong love of music.”

Woodruff said the program has accomplished a lot in its 11-year run in Savannah. Nearly 8,000 students from the Savannah area, including Chatham, Liberty and Beaufort counties, participated this season. Nearly 60,000 students have participated since 2014.

Although the curriculum was designed with K–2 students in mind, Musical Explorers provides rich opportunities for musical and cultural exploration and is open to teachers as well.

The 2025–2026 artists performing at the concert are Timothy Miller, Opera; Gino Castillo, Afro Cuban Music; and Elena Moon Park, Korean Songs. The program will be hosted by Bess Ratsimbaharison and Jamal Tanks from Front Porch Improv.

While registration for the Musical Explorers 2026 season doesn’t open until July 2026, music aficionados can purchase tickets now for the Savannah Music Festival which will take place March 25–April 5, 2026.

Tickets start at $37 and can be purchased online at savannahmusicfestival.org, by phone at 912-525-5050 or in person at the Savannah Box Office, located at 216 E. Broughton St. For more information, visit www.savannahmusicfestival.org.