The Allentown Symphony Orchestra's Young Musician String Festival is comprised of students from the Greater Lehigh Valley. Students receive the music in advance to practice on their own and meet to rehearse as an ensemble with Diane Wittry and Allentown Symphony Orchestra coaches before the performance on the historic Miller Symphony Hall stage.

The Allentown Symphony encourages young talent by providing opportunities for students to grow as musicians and meet other young, dedicated fellows.

Registration opens October 18, 2024

Festival Dates: March 26-April 6, 2025

REGISTER HERE

YMSF SCHEDULE 2025

Wednesday March 26, 2025
5:45pm - 8:30pm | Full Rehearsal
 
Wednesday April 2, 2025
4:00pm – 5:30pm | Seating Auditions (Optional – require sign up to get times)
5:45pm - 8:30pm | Sectionals and Rehearsal
 
Thursday, April 3, 2025
5:45pm - 8:30pm | Full Rehearsal
 
Saturday, April 5, 2025
8:45am - 12:00pm | Full Rehearsal
               
Sunday, April 6, 2025
12:00pm - 2:30pm | Dress Rehearsal and Pictures
3:00pm - 4:00pm | Concert

REPERTOIRE

PIOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY
Symphony No. 5
  Andante – Allegro con anima arr. Ron DeGrandis
  Andante arr. Robert McCashin
  Valse: Allegro Moderato arr. Ron DeGrandis
  Finale: Andante maestoso – Allegro Vivace arr. Ron DeGrandis                             

JAMES HORNER/arr. Larry Moore
My Heart Will Go On from The Titanic

HENRY MANCINI/arr.  Bulla
Peter Gunn

JOHN WILLIAMS/arr. Larry Clark
Star Wars main Theme

INSTRUMENT PACKETS
Click on the desired instrument to download the music

VIOLIN I

VIOLIN II

VIOLA

CELLO

BASS

CLICK HERE to download the AUDIO FILES

REGISTER HERE

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know my student has enough technique to play the music?
Your child’s private teacher or school ensemble director should be able to advise you.

How can my student practice before the first rehearsal?
We will have sound files for the music on our website. It would be helpful for your student to follow their part while listening to the music. They can also get some tips from their private teacher or school music teacher.

Is an audition required?
Not at all! Our desire is to offer young string musicians a challenging performance experience that is not too stressful. It’s a fun way to make music with string players from other schools without the pressure of competition.

Is there an age requirement to participate in the Festival?
This program is designed for students in 6th – 9th grade. However, students younger that 6th grade can be accepted with a teacher recommendation. If students older than 9th grade would like to participate, they can volunteer as a festival mentor.

What is the Seating Audition?
Seating auditions are one way to offer students an optional audition experience. Expectations for the seating audition are to play selections of the festival music. All students who take a seating audition will sit closer to the conductor. Students who opt out of the seating audition will be placed behind the students who elect to take a seating audition.

While the seating audition will place the student closer to the director, each section will have Allentown Symphony coaches seated in the back of the section to make sure all students get the musical support they need.

The seating audition can be a scary thing, especially if your student has never done one before. The judges for the seating audition are also the coaches for the festival. They are ready to support your student’s musical growth.

Bottom line – we offer this experience for students to challenge them, but not to be an overwhelming experience.

For any other questions, please email education@allentownsymphony.org