Strings Music Festival

What Strings Music Festival does

Strings Music Festival is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit live-music presenter founded in 1987 in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, operating a venue-plus-festival model anchored by a 569-seat custom-built Strings Pavilion featuring Danley LCR loudspeakers, Biamp AudiaFLEX processing, Lab Gruppen amplification, EAW monitors, an ETC Element 1024 lighting board, and Steinway B and D pianos. Its core product is a seasonal summer festival running June through August with 60+ performances spanning classical, jazz, blues, rock, folk, world, and family programming, supplemented by year-round series including the free outdoor Music on the Green at Yampa River Botanic Park, Music at the Museum chamber concerts at Steamboat Art Museum, Twilight Yoga, and Community Care Concerts at healthcare and senior-living venues. The organization runs the Strings School Days education program, which delivers free PreK-12 music and arts instruction to 3,500+ students across 25 schools annually, and has built digital extensions including the Strings Retuned podcast, 'Finding Harmony at Home' online resources, and integrations with Spotify, Apple Music, Google Calendar, and Salesforce ticketing.

The festival monetizes through five streams: ticket sales ($12-25 base for classical concerts), venue rentals for weddings/corporate events/fundraisers, corporate sponsorships across 20+ partners (Alpine Bank, Holiday Inn, Steamboat Resort, UC Health, Elevated Properties), tax-deductible donations and fundraising (including a volunteer Guild), and gift cards valid for 5 years. Approximately 60% of programming is offered free to the community, which is funded by donations, sponsorships, and earned revenue. Artistic leadership is anchored by Music Director Michael Sachs, the longest-serving Principal Trumpet in Cleveland Orchestra history, and the festival has hosted 75+ Grammy-winning performers and musicians from all 25 top U.S. orchestras across its 38-year history.

Governance is independent nonprofit with no parent company or private-equity ownership; leadership includes Executive Director/CEO Elissa Greene and a 16-member Board of Directors chaired by Ted Kahn. The organization holds Charity Navigator 4-star and GuideStar Platinum Transparency Seal ratings, was named Best Indoor Music Venue in Steamboat Springs (2023), and serves a concentrated geographic market (Yampa Valley, Northwest Colorado) with digital channels extending reach beyond the local catchment.

Name

Strings Music Festival

Legal name

Strings Music Festival

Website

https://stringsmusicfestival.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Strings Music Festival is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit live-music presenter in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, running a 60-plus performance summer festival in its custom 569-seat Strings Pavilion, year-round community programming, and free K-12 music education serving 3,500+ students across 25 Yampa Valley schools.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Music Performance and Performing Arts

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (711310), Musical Groups and Artists (71113), Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation (71)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Music Festival Organizers & Promoters (MPAGAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir) (EDAMANAC), Concerts & Music Festivals (THAJAFAA), Virtual Concerts & Music Festivals (Livestreamed Performances) (MPAGAOAD)

Keywords

• Live music performances
• Music education programs
• Concert venue rental
• Outdoor concert series
• Community music outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Steamboat Springs

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from selling tickets to classical concerts, contemporary artist performances, and special events at the Strings Pavilion. Tickets range from $12-25 for local/classical seats with various discount programs available.
2. Venue Rentals: The Strings Pavilion is available for private events including weddings, holiday parties, fundraisers, conferences, and corporate events. Capacity up to 569 seated guests or 250 for seated dinner. Reduced rates available for nonprofit organizations.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorship program with multiple partner tiers including Alpine Bank, Holiday Inn, Steamboat Resort, UC Health, and 20+ other local and regional businesses.
4. Donations and Fundraising: Donation programs including wine pull fundraisers, general donations, and gift card sales. Tax-deductible donation opportunities for ticket turnbacks.
5. Gift Cards: Physical and digital gift cards valid for 5 years toward year-round Strings performances and merchandise.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Strings Music Festival operates a 569-seat music pavilion and presents a seasonal summer festival (June through August) featuring 60+ performances in classical, jazz, rock, folk, and world music. The nonprofit organization complements ticketed concerts with free outdoor concerts at Yampa River Botanic Park, Twilight Yoga events, Community Care Concerts at partner venues, and year-round Strings School Days K-12 music education serving 3,500+ students annually. The pavilion is also available for private event rentals including weddings, corporate events, and fundraisers.

Product overview

Strings Music Festival is a premier live music presenter operating a unified venue-and-program model centered around the 569-seat Strings Pavilion in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The core offering is the Summer Festival (June-August) showcasing 60+ performances across classical, jazz, rock, folk, and world music genres, supplemented by year-round programming including the outdoor Music on the Green concert series, Twilight Yoga events, and Community Care outreach concerts. Educational offerings are provided through the Strings School Days program (serving PreK-12 students with residencies and field trips), while the Finding Harmony at Home digital platform extends access via online content, podcasts, and scavenger hunts. The venue is also available for private rentals including weddings and corporate events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Summer Festival Annual summer music festival (June through August) featuring over 60 performances across orchestra, chamber music, soloists, world, blues, jazz, rock, and youth/family programming. Sold to individual music attendees and tourists visiting Steamboat Springs.
• Strings Pavilion Venue A 569-seat world-renowned music venue in Steamboat Springs featuring state-of-the-art audio and lighting systems (Danley loudspeakers, Biamp AudiaFLEX, Lab Gruppen amplifiers, EAW monitors, ETC Element lighting), Steinway pianos, and panoramic views of the Yampa Valley through retractable glass doors. Houses festival performances and is available as a venue.
• Strings Pavilion Rentals Event rental service for the Strings Pavilion accommodating weddings, corporate events, fundraisers, conferences, holiday parties, and private concerts. Capacity up to 569 seated guests or 250 for seated dinner; includes state-of-the-art audio/lighting, professional staffing, and customizable seating. Reduced rates available for nonprofit organizations.
• Classical Concerts Classical and orchestral performances featuring musicians from top U.S. orchestras including the Cleveland Orchestra, presented as evening concerts from late June through August. Tickets range $12-25 for local residents in front rows.
• Music on the Green Free outdoor concert series held at Yampa River Botanic Park featuring local and regional musicians in 45-minute Wednesday morning concerts during the summer (late June through early August).
• Twilight Yoga All-levels outdoor yoga classes held Wednesday evenings at Strings Festival Park during summer months, led by teachers from Harmony Yoga and set to classical music. $10 suggested donation.
• Community Care Concerts Outreach program bringing classical and contemporary artists to partner venues throughout Routt County (including senior living communities, healthcare facilities, treatment centers, and youth programs), serving community members who cannot easily attend the main pavilion.
• Music at the Museum Winter concert series partnership with Steamboat Art Museum presenting three chamber music concerts free to the community in the museum's gallery space.
• Strings School Days - Elementary Free music and arts education program for PreK-5 students including band and choir residencies, off-site assembly programs, and field trips to the Strings Pavilion. Serves over 3,500 students across 25 schools annually in the Yampa Valley.
• Strings School Days - Middle & High School Free music education program for grades 6-12 featuring band and choir residencies, songwriting workshops, and professional mentorship with recording sessions.
• Strings Gift Cards Physical and digital gift cards valid for 5 years toward year-round Strings performances and merchandise. Available for personalization and send via email or mail.

Quantifiable outcome

• Strings School Days serves over 3,500 PreK-12 students in 25 schools annually at no cost to schools or families
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Yampa River Botanic ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFree outdoor concert series Music on the Green held at Yampa River Botanic Park. Weekly 45-minute concerts Wednesday mornings during summer (June 26 through August 7) featuring local and regional musicians in a stunning garden setting.
• Steamboat Art MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWinter partnership presenting three chamber music concerts free to the community in the museum's gallery space. The intersection of fine art and music creates an intimate, accessible experience for art and music lovers.
• Harmony YogaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAll-levels yoga classes held Wednesday evenings at Strings Festival Park during summer months. Yoga teachers from Harmony Yoga lead sessions set to classical music.
• Casey's Pond Senior Living CommunitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Care Concert partner bringing classical and contemporary artists to senior living community. Programs feature delightful repertoire with refreshing commentary tailored to each audience.
• Jan Bishop Cancer Center at UC Health Yampa Valley Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Care Concert partner bringing music programming to healthcare facility serving cancer patients and their families.
• Foundry Treatment Center SteamboatminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Care Concert partner bringing performances to residential rehabilitation center serving people of all ages.
• The HavencoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Care Concert partner providing accessible programming for seniors and community members in Routt County.
• Strawberry Park ACE ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity Care Concert partner bringing music to children and families in the community.
• Bud Werner Memorial LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for Musical Scavenger Hunts - one of three starting locations for the walking adventure through downtown Steamboat Springs.
• City of Steamboat SpringscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor community partner and sponsor. Howelsen Hill ski area run by City's Parks and Recreation Department serves as starting point for youth scavenger hunt.
• Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School and CampminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for Musical Scavenger Hunts supporting arts and culture in Steamboat Springs.
• Alpine BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor providing financial support for festival operations and programming.
• Steamboat ResortcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor lodging sponsor and community partner supporting festival visibility.
• Holiday InncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLodging sponsor providing accommodation support for visiting artists and festival guests.
• UC HealthcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHealthcare sponsor and partner for Community Care Concerts at Jan Bishop Cancer Center.
• Elevated PropertiesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLodging sponsor and real estate partner supporting festival operations.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/stringsmusicfestival
• Instagraminstagram.com/stringsmusicfestival

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Strings Music Festival