Our Mission

The Savannah Music Festival is dedicated to presenting world-class celebrations of the musical arts by creating timeless and adventurous productions that stimulate arts education, foster economic growth, and unite artists and audiences in Savannah.

Now in its 34th season, SMF is Georgia’s largest musical arts event and one of the most distinctive cross-genre music festivals in the world. As a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to inspiring and growing audiences of all ages through engagement with the musical arts, we advance our vision through an array of musical performances that include dance, film, and narrative programs. The festival operates year-round to produce a music education curriculum and semester-end concerts (Musical Explorers), an annual high school jazz band competition (Swing Central Jazz), a weekly radio series (Savannah Music Festival LIVE), as well as other broadcast and digital initiatives. SMF stages original, one-time-only productions, premieres and double-bills, including many commissioned works. The organization prioritizes partnerships and collaborations and works with organizations including the Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD), Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum, Telfair Museums, Lucas Theatre for the Arts, The Creative Coast, Georgia Historical Society, Savannah Stopover Festival, Savannah VOICE Festival, Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra, Savannah Folk Music Society and a variety of the city’s houses of worship including Congregation Mickve Israel, Christ Church Episcopal, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and Trinity United Methodist Church.