Festival at Sandpoint offers pre-K outreach program

By Reader Staff

It has been a year since the Festival at Sandpoint launched its Pre-K Outreach Program in spring 2022. Since then, more than 70 students at Selkirk School and Little Lambs Preschool have participated, learning to play six different non-pitched percussion instruments, count and read rhythms, and play parts within a group.

Now in its second year, the free series of classes is designed to engage students through rhythm, movement and song, culminating with a live performance.

“During each class, students focus on a specific rhythmic element while integrating new instruments,” said Festival Education Manager Paul Gunter. “After the final performance, the students can take home their self-designed set of rhythm sticks to keep the music going strong.”

The program — which the Festival is working to expand into more area schools — is currently designed as four 30-minute classes, with a short performance directly following the final class. However, classes can be adapted to fit the school’s needs and can be integrated into the school day or offered as an after-school program.

Gunter works with numerous local instructors from a wide variety of musical backgrounds to provide the best teaching experience for each group.

Part of the Festival’s mission is to foster a love of music through ongoing youth education programs, and the organization is excited to offer free educational outreach programs to local schools within the community.

Thanks to the support from donors, volunteers and the community, the Festival is able to continue to develop new programming to expand and grow its musical education mission and impact on youth in the community.

To learn more about the Festival at Sandpoint’s education programs and donate to its nonprofit mission, visit festivalatsandpoint.com.