Return: National Orchestra Festival
The 2027 National Orchestra Festival will be held in conjunction with the ASTA National Conference on February 24-27, 2027, in Chicago, Illinois at McCormick Place.
Learn more about the festival and prepare to apply to join us in Illinois!
Applications
Open February 1, 2026
2027 Adjudicators and Clinicians
Comming Soon
2027 NOF Adjudicators and Clinicians
Schedule of Important Dates for 2027 NOF
2027 NOF Timeline and Guidelines
Please note: Applications are only considered fully submitted after the form has been completed, all recommendations have been submitted, and all items have been uploaded. Please read and consider the entire Guidelines and Requirements, available as a PDF below, before applying.
Application Timeline
- Applications Open – February 1, 2026
- Applications Close – March 31, 2026
- Notify Applicants and Send Contracts – April 20, 2026
- Contracts and Deposit Due – June 15, 2026
Application Review
Applications are reviewed by a national committee of ASTA members. The committee will provide detailed feedback to all applicants at the time of application notification.
Notification and Contract
Directors must submit a signed contract and a $1,500 non-refundable deposit by June 15, 2026. These materials will confirm participation in the festival. The deposit will be applied directly to the group's package fees. If you have specific questions regarding notification, payment, and group pricing, please get in touch with us at asta@astastrings.org.
The minimum number of student participants is 16. Groups may increase and decrease their total participant number until December 4, 2026. After December 4, 2026, groups are responsible for the last confirmed total number of participants received by ASTA.
June 15, 2026:
- Signed Participation Agreement
- Signed Guidelines and Code of Conduct
- $1,500 Non-refundable Deposit Due
October 1, 2026:
- 25% of the Total Payment Amount Due
- NOF Package Confirmation
- Instrumentation, Concert Program, and Stage Form Due
- Rooming List Due
- Student Waiver Forms Due
December 4, 2026:
- 50% of the Total Payment Amount Due
- Final Date for Changes to Participant Numbers
January 15, 2027:
- Final Balance of the Total Payment Due
February 24-27, 2027: National Orchestra Festival in Chicago, Illinois
2027 NOF Package Information
The package rates listed are inclusive of the cost per student.
- The cost associated with the attendance of 1 Director is included in the per-student cost.
- The cost associated with the attendance of 1 Chaperone per 10 students is included in the per-student cost.
- Additional Rooms and Meals may be requested for chaperones above the following ratio 20 students = 1 room for 2 chaperones.
- Each participating ensemble is responsible for transportation (including ground transportation at the conference site) and parking.
- Meals are only offered on official festival days.
- Meals are provided to participating students, registered chaperones, and directors; any additional meals will be added at cost.
- One-night packages are available for Ratings and Comments groups only upon request.
- Performance dates and times are assigned in the fall of 2026. Requests for time and date can be made; however, we do not guarantee any requests will be fulfilled.
Overnight Package room number details:
- Quad = 4 individuals per room
- Triple = 3 individuals per room
- Double = 2 individuals per room
- Single = 1 individual per room
Package Information and Types:
Both Packages include the following:
- One professional audio recording of your performance
- Professional photo of your orchestra
- Commemorative banner
- NOF Pin for each participant
- ASTA Conference exhibit hall - try instruments and buy music and supplies
- Participate in Conference sessions, including master classes, music reading sessions, education sessions
- National publicity in ASTA digital and print media
Premium overnight packages also include the following:
- One professional audio recording per student
- One meal (breakfast or lunch) per each night of stay (two-night package, 2 meals)
- Complimentary director hotel room
- Complimentary double rooms for chaperones (20 students = 1 room for 2 chaperones)
Cancellation and Refund Policy
All cancellation requests must be received in writing by September 30, 2026, to asta@astastrings.org. No refunds will be given on any payments made before September 30, 2026, but the remaining balance for your group will be waived upon written cancellation confirmation from the ASTA National Office.
ASTA is counting on your participation as indicated in your signed contract and may have turned away other potential participating ensembles. Groups cannot cancel their participation after September 30, 2026. Groups not wishing to participate after this date are still liable for the total amount due, and no refunds will be given on any payments already made. The remaining balance for your group will be waived upon written cancellation confirmation from the ASTA National Office. This cancellation policy also applies to all circumstances beyond the attendee’s and/or ASTA’s control, including, but not limited to, acts of God, war, terrorism, government regulations, disaster, strikes, civil disorder, or curtailment of transportation. If you have a unique circumstance preventing your group from participating and would like it to be reviewed for special consideration, please explain your circumstance in writing and include any appropriate documentation. Your request will be reviewed within 30 days, and you will be notified subsequently of the outcome.