From December 3rd through 7th, more than 10,000 local K-2 students are attending Savannah Music Festival’s (SMF) Musical Explorers concerts at Trustees Theater, which present Laiken Love (soul music), Anders Thomsen (country) and Yacouba Sissoko (music of Mali). Over the past four years, SMF has introduced students and teachers to eighteen musical styles through curriculum guides, an interactive website, teacher trainings and classroom exercises that help integrate music into general classroom studies. The year-round music education program was developed in partnership with Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute (WMI), and is funded and produced entirely by SMF. Musical Explorers is offered free of charge to all participants. Modeled after the WMI program that highlights the music and culture of NYC’s five boroughs, SMF’s Musical Explorers focuses specifically on the diverse musical communities of the southeastern US.

All media are welcome to attend concerts, held next Monday through Friday at 10:15am and 12:15pm.

Musical Explorers serves public, private and homeschooled students in urban and rural settings across Chatham, Liberty, McIntosh (GA), Jasper and Beaufort (SC) Counties. With 56 area schools now participating, 79% of students attend Title 1 schools and 85% are eligible for Free and Reduced School Meals. “This phenomenal program strikes all the right notes, in school and beyond,” remarks SCCPSS Superintendent, Dr. Ann Levett.