Aspen Music Festival, Colorado

The Aspen Music festival 2011 is both a training ground for young musicians and a place for fans to experience one of the finer things in life. Known as one the best places for Colorado skiing, the town of Aspen offers charms in all four seasons. For eight weeks in the summer, this summertime tradition brings a full schedule of concerts both indoors and out.

Aspen Music Festival History and Facts

Many of the Colorado events focus on music, and the Aspen Music Festival is no exception. Concerts take place at the Wheeler Opera House as well as the Harris Concert Hall and the Benedict Music Tent during July and August.

Aspen Music Festival 2011 continues a tradition that started in 1949 as the Goethe Bicentennial Convocation. In the first years, the festival, organized by Elizabeth and Walter Paepcke from Chicago, brought in lecturers and musicians. As time passed, the festival grew from two weeks to eight, shifting the emphasis to classical music and education. Today, the Aspen Music Festival Colorado has more than 320 events on the schedule. Orchestra concerts, chamber music, and opera are on the list, as are contemporary musicians, master classes, and so much more.

Tickets to the Aspen Music Festival Colorado

With the option to purchase single concert tickets or festival packages you can experience the Aspen Music Festival at your own pace. Season passes are available at a discount for youth tickets. Those who purchase season passes can reserve seats on the day of the event for free or pay a small fee to reserve seats beforehand.

Many of the events are free and do not require tickets—around 25 percent of the festival is free to enjoy. Master classes and students concerts, also free, fill the schedule during the festival weekdays. At the Benedict Music Tent, you can save money by purchasing a low-cost ticket to one of the open dress rehearsals. Guests also can enjoy these shows for free by sitting on the David Karetsky Music Lawn or the Music Garden.

Directions to the Aspen Music Festival

The Aspen Music Festival and School is easy to access from Highway 82, which crosses Interstate 70 near Glenwood Springs. From Denver, travel through Avon and Vail, taking the interstate west 145 miles to exit 116. The trip into Aspen on Highway 82 is about 40 miles, filled with mountain views.

If you'd prefer to take the scenic route, take I-70 west from Denver to exit 195, the Copper Mountain exit. Catch Colorado Highway 91 south to Leadville. The highway turns into Co-24, which crosses Highway 82 at Twin Lakes.

Lodging near the Aspen Music Festival Colorado

Aspen's ski resorts and hotels provide hospitality year-round, while camping is an option during the warmer months of the year.

The Sky Hotel in the heart of town is one option for places to stay during the Aspen Music Festival. The pet-friendly hotel at 709 East Durant Avenue features 90 comfortable and chic guestrooms with down comforters, wireless Internet access, and in-room movies. The indoor heated pool is open year-round, as is the fitness center.

The Inn at Aspen Hotel at the base Buttermilk Mountain at 38750 Highway 82 offers its summertime guests a free continental breakfast. The Inn's 122 guestrooms and suites have patios and balconies perfect for soaking in the mountain scenery.

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