Orchestra America National Festival

Part of the Music for All National Festival, presented by Yamaha

Future Festival Dates: March 13-15, 2025 – Indianapolis, IN

Ensemble Application Deadlines:
June 5, 2024 – Full and String Orchestras
September 15, 2024 – Chamber Ensembles

The Orchestra America National Festival is part of the Music for All National Festival, presented by Yamaha. Music for All is one of the nation’s largest and most influential organizations in support of active music- making through educational and performance programs and advocacy.

The Orchestra America National Festival is a non-competitive experience for outstanding high school, middle school, and youth orchestras. It is a celebration of musical excellence, combining world-class performance and evaluation opportunities with an exhilarating atmosphere of camaraderie in music.

Directors select their own programs; there is no required repertoire. There are no ratings or rankings, so directors and their ensembles are free to stretch themselves, reach for new heights, and strive for innovation, growth, and excellence, rather than focusing on a rating or placement.

ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE

• Non-competitive performance format
• Scheduled audience time ensuring a sizeable and appreciative audience
• Recorded and written feedback from a distinguished panel of music educators
• A private, post-concert ensemble clinic with one of the evaluators
• Student workshops
• Evening concerts featuring professional chamber groups, Honor Orchestra of America, Jazz Band of America, and Honor Band of America
• Social events for students, social events for directors

HOW TO APPLY

All auditioning orchestras receive recorded and written feedback from a panel of esteemed music educators on the selection/ evaluation committee.

The listening is anonymous – ensembles are not identified to evaluators in the listening process. Evaluators then recommend the orchestras that demonstrate an exemplary level of excellence to perform at the Festival.

A completed application consists of the completed online Festival application form submitted with the audition recordings, administrator signatures, and application fee.