Orchestra America National Festival
2021 Music for All Orchestra America National Festival Canceled Due to COVID-19 Pandemic
Congratulations to the ensembles participating in the 2020 Orchestra America National Festival:
Atascocita H.S. Chamber Strings, Humble, TX; Colin Catoe and Guillermo Teniente
Atascocita H.S. Symphonic Strings, Humble, TX; Colin Catoe and Guillermo Teniente
Fort Collins H.S. Symphony Orchestra, Fort Collins, CO; John Hermanson
Lake Braddock H.S. Symphony Orchestra, Burke, VA; Austin Isaac
Lesher M.S. Advanced Chamber Orchestra, Fort Collins, CO; Loni Obluda
Palo Verde H.S. Philharmonic, Las Vegas, NV; David Irish
Highlights for Invited Ensembles
Concert Performances and Clinics:
Each ensemble performs a short concert before a knowledgeable audience, including the festival evaluation panel, music educators, and other participating orchestras. Conductors receive recorded and written comments from the evaluators. Conductors also receive recorded and written input on their conducting from a highly regarded conductor. Following the performance, each orchestra has a private clinic with one of the Festival Evaluators/Clinicians.
Pre-Festival Clinic and Visit:
Each ensemble accepted into the Orchestra America National Festival will receive a visit from a member of our education team. That visit will be an opportunity to answer questions about the festival and will also offer a Pre-Festival Clinic. This will give the orchestra members an opportunity to receive feedback and some experience before their trip to Indianapolis
Master Classes:
All students participate in instrumental master classes, led by top applied faculty and professional musicians, including members of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. This opportunity provides for interaction with outstanding performers whose insight and experience exemplify musical achievement.
World Class Venues:
The Orchestra America National Festival ensembles have performed in the following venues throughout the Indianapolis Area:
- Hilbert Circle Theater – Home of The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
- Palladium Center for The Performing Arts – Home of Michael Feinsten and the Great American Songbook Museum
- Clowes Hall, Butler University
- Schrott Center for the Arts, Butler University
Gala Awards Banquet:
The “black-tie-optional” banquet for students, directors, parents, staff and evaluators culminates the Festival with first-class standards that distinguish the Music for All National Festival. Guests enjoy a plated dinner, recognition of each ensemble and presentation of awards to each ensemble. The formal banquet with over 2,000 guests is sure to be unforgettable for you, your students, parents and supporters.
Recording and Group Photo Package:
Each student member and director receives a professionally-produced recording of their evaluation concert, and a group photo.
Social Events for Students and Directors:
The Festival social gives students the chance to relax, have fun and get to know students from other programs across the country. The director and evaluator reception and hospitality opportunities offer networking and informal interaction with colleagues, guest artists and icons of music education.
Festival Invitation Visit and Director “Fam” Trip
Every orchestra is offered a visit to your school from a member of the Festival team. This site visit, which is mandatory for first-time participating schools and/or directors, helps to assure your students, parent boosters, and administration understand the magnitude of your achievement.
A mandatory familiarization (“Fam”) trip to Indianapolis for directors of all accepted ensembles will take place at the Festival performance venues and hotel facilities. Music for All will take directors on a city and site inspection of the performance halls, warm-up rooms, clinic rooms, and the Festival hotels. The philosophy behind the event, Festival schedule, and costs will be thoroughly discussed to ensure a complete understanding of pre-planning information for your ensemble. The “Fam” Trip for the 2020 ensembles took place on Sunday, November 17, 2019.
Transportation and housing for the “Fam Trip” to Indianapolis is at the participating ensemble’s expense.