From May 5 through May 9, thousands of Savannah-Chatham County Public School System (SCCPSS) students gathered at the historic Trustees Theatre to experience the joy of live music through a series of exciting performances presented by the Savannah Music Festival’s community impact team as part of its Musical Explorers program.

Developed in partnership with Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute, Musical Explorers is a free, year-round music education initiative that introduces elementary students to diverse musical genres and traditions from around the world. The program builds essential music skills while encouraging students to explore and celebrate their own cultural identities. This year’s programs and performances featured artists Kaia Kater, Anders Thomsen, Farah Siraj, AJ Kush, Falu Shah, Victor Sawyer, and Marcella Simien.

During the 2024–25 school year, students from kindergarten to 2nd grade explored a dynamic lineup of genres including American folk, country, Jordanian folk, hip hop, Indian classical, and New Orleans second line music. The curriculum is packed with engaging lessons, articles, books, supplemental songs and videos, hands-on activities, and much more—designed to support educators in bringing music and culture into the classroom.

Each semester concludes with exciting concerts, where students meet the professional musicians who’ve guided them on their musical journey through the Georgia Lowcountry and beyond. These high-energy performances bring classroom learning to life and deepen students' connections to the music and cultures they’ve studied.

“The energy in the theatre was electric,” said Jenny Woodruff, Savannah Music Festival’s Senior Director of Community Impact. “Musical Explorers is all about connection—between students, cultures, and the joy of music. Seeing it come alive on stage is what makes this program so special.”

Support the Next Generation of Music Lovers

By supporting Musical Explorers, you’re helping to build lifelong connections to music for a new generation of Savannahians. To contribute to this impactful initiative, please visit www.savannahmusicfestival.org/support.