Austin Students Celebrate 'We Love Austin Music Week'

Central Texas schools host live music performances to connect students to city's rich musical heritage.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 5:15am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Students across Central Texas are celebrating "We Love Austin Music Week" with live music performances in their schools. The annual program, organized by KUTX and the Texas Cultural Trust, aims to introduce students to music as an art form and connect them to Austin's vibrant musical legacy. Schools are hosting a variety of performances, from harp recitals by the Austin Symphony Orchestra to student jazz and mariachi bands taking the stage.

Why it matters

Music education has been shown to improve academic achievement and mental health for students. "We Love Austin Music Week" seeks to foster a lifelong connection to music and pride in Austin's cultural identity as the "Live Music Capital of the World" among the next generation.

The details

Nine Austin-area campuses are participating in "We Love Austin Music Week" through January 30th, including elementary schools in the Del Valle, Eanes, and Austin ISDs, as well as Elgin High School. At Creedmoor Elementary, students experienced a performance by Austin Symphony Orchestra harpist Elaine Barber, many seeing a harp for the first time. Elgin High will host a combined concert featuring its student jazz and mariachi bands, while other schools will feature lunchtime and morning assembly performances.

  • "We Love Austin Music Week" runs from January 24-30, 2026.
  • The Creedmoor Elementary performance by the Austin Symphony Orchestra harpist took place on Wednesday, January 29th.
  • The Elgin High School combined jazz and mariachi band concert is scheduled for Thursday, January 30th.
  • Other school performances are scheduled for Friday, January 31st.

The players

KUTX

A public radio station in Austin that is collaborating with the Texas Cultural Trust to organize "We Love Austin Music Week".

Texas Cultural Trust

A nonprofit organization that works to expand access to arts education across Texas, including through its Artist Access Program that is supporting "We Love Austin Music Week".

Elaine Barber

A harpist with the Austin Symphony Orchestra who performed at Creedmoor Elementary as part of the orchestra's Building Blocks program.

Maleesa Gomez

The music teacher at Creedmoor Elementary who said the live music experience left a lasting impression on students and reinforced the value of music education.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“As soon as she started playing, I could tell they had this feeling of awe.”

— Maleesa Gomez, Music Teacher, Creedmoor Elementary (KVUE)

“For some students, music is the reason they come to school. It's shown that music improves academic achievement and mental health. It's a way for students to express themselves in a unique way.”

— Maleesa Gomez, Music Teacher, Creedmoor Elementary (KVUE)

“I hope they always remember that music is something they can connect to emotionally. Here in Austin, we have such a wide array of live music experiences and it's a big part of who we are.”

— Maleesa Gomez, Music Teacher, Creedmoor Elementary (KVUE)

What’s next

The "We Love Austin Music Week" celebrations will continue across Central Texas schools through January 30th, with additional student performances scheduled at Elgin High School and St. Elmo and Casey Elementary schools.

The takeaway

By exposing students to Austin's vibrant music scene through live performances in their schools, "We Love Austin Music Week" aims to foster a lifelong appreciation for music and deepen students' connection to the city's rich cultural identity as the "Live Music Capital of the World".