2026 Honor Orchestra Festival
Directed by Paul McShee
UConn Orchestra Director
PROGRAM TBA
Directed by Nola Campbell
Glastonbury High School Orchestra Director
PROGRAM TBA
LOCATION
University of Hartford
FESTIVAL DATE
Fri Oct 30, 2026
NOMINATION OPENS
Fri Aug 1, 2026
NOMINATION CLOSES
Fri Oct 2, 2026
Calling all orchestra students! This festival is nomination based (no audition necessary!) and is open to any orchestra student in grades 6-12.
Cost is $46/student and includes festival, t-shirt, and dinner.
Students must be nominated by their school orchestra teacher. Click below to nominate students!
Please consider nominating dedicated students who have not been selected for an auditioned festival experience.
2025 FESTIVAL SCHEDULE: (Afternoon rehearsal and meal times subject to change)
8:00 Participant Check in
9:00 – 11:00 Rehearsal #1
11:15-1:45 Lunch (bring your own) and sectionals
1:50-2:20 Hartt Faculty Performance
2:45- 5:30 Rehearsal #2, Dress Rehearsals, and Dinner (provided)
6:00 Concert (FREE!)
FESTIVAL DETAILS:
TEACHER ATTENDANCE/SUPERVISION: A teacher must be present on campus for the duration of the festival- please consider joining for the CT-ASTA Fall Workshop! Students will be supervised by CT-ASTA board members during the workshop hours. Attending teachers should plan to check in with their students at lunch time and to join for rehearsals after the workshop.
MUSIC: Please nominate students who could prepare ~20 minutes of music in 4-5 weeks' time.
High School: Grade 3-4 Music
Middle School: Grade 2-3 Music
NOMINATION CRITERIA: You may nominate up to 6 students. Students will be selected based on the following criteria:
Teacher ranking- Rate your students highest to lowest. A ranking of "1" means, this is the student to whom I would MOST like to give this opportunity.
School participation- We aim to have all participating schools as equally represented as possible while striving for relatively balanced instrumentation.
Grade level- Older students will be given preference if needed.
PAYMENT DETAILS:
Teachers will receive a list of selected students and an invoice within a few days after nominations have closed.
COST: $46 per student- includes festival experience (rehearsals and sectionals), T-shirt, and dinner at the 1877 Club at the University of Hartford.
PAYMENT TYPE: Checks payable to CT-ASTA. Please provide a check from your school for all students.
MAIL PAYMENT TO: Dr. Nola Campbell, c/o Glastonbury High School, 330 Hubbard Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033.
INVOICE: You will receive an email with a list of selected students and an invoice. Once you have confirmed your student attendance, please follow the instructions to fill out and submit the invoice with payment.
PAST PROGRAMS
Directed by Regulo Stabilito
University of Hartford Orchestra Director
Brandenburg Concerto No 3 Mvt 1, J.S. Bach (arr. MJ Isaac)
Pictures at an Exhibition, Mussorgsky (arr. Carrie Lane Gruselle)
Pizzicato Polka, Johann Strauss Jr.
Directed by Christopher Jones
Guilford High School Orchestra Director
Adams Middle School General Music Teacher
Hungarian Dance No. 5 - Brahms / M.J. Isaac
Otoño Porteño - Piazzolla / Christopher Jones
Danse Infernale - Del Borgo
Por Una Cabeza - Gardel / Selby
Andante Festivo- Sibelius
Directed by Jonathan Colby
Worcester Youth Orchestra Director
The Great Gate of Kiev, Modest Moussorgsky Arr. Roy Phillipe
Dizzy Digits, Richard Meyer
Gaelic Castle, Soon Hee Newbold