Schedules
Return: Get Involved / Conference & Summit / 2027 National Conference
Schedule At-A-Glance
Wednesday, February 24
10:30 AM-8:00 PM: Registration
Attendee Registration, Exhibit Hall-Lakeside Ballroom North
Performer Registration, Exhibit Hall-Lakeside Ballroom South
12:00-5:00 PM: Pre-Conference Workshops ($)
See below for additional session and registration information.
3:00-5:30 PM: Educational Sessions – Arriving in Chicago too late to join a Pre-Conference Workshop, but ready to dive into the conference? We will have two blocks of sessions to get you jump-started!
5:30-6:30 PM: Newcomer's Welcome, Exhibit Hall-Lakeside Ballroom Windows
6:00-9:00 PM: National Orchestra Festival Performances and Clinics, E451 and E351
6:30-7:30 PM: Welcome Reception - featuring the ASTA National Teachers Orchestra (see Pre-Conference Workshops to register and participate!), Exhibit Hall-Lakeside Ballroom Windows
7:30-8:30 PM: University & College Student Mixer, E253AB
Thursday, February 25
6:30 AM-6:30 PM: Registration
Attendee Registration, Exhibit Hall-Lakeside Ballroom North
Performer Registration, Exhibit Hall-Lakeside Ballroom South
8:00-9:30 AM: Opening Ceremony with Keynote Juana P. Alzaga with performance by the Chicago Youth Symphony, E451
8:00 AM-8:00 PM: National Orchestra Festival Performances and Clinics, E450, E451, E351, and E352
10:00 AM-4:30 PM: Educational Sessions, Music Industry Sessions, Music Showcases, Invited Ensemble Performances, and Committee Roundtables
- 10:00AM-4:30 PM: Eclectic Styles Mini Jams, E257
- 3:30-4:30 PM: Jam Session with Dave Eggar, E271
11:00 AM-12:30 PM: Exhibit Hall Grand Opening, Exhibit Hall-Lakeside Ballroom
11:00-5:00 PM: Exhibits Open, Exhibit Hall-Lakeside Ballroom
11:15-12:15 PM: Intersectional Affinity Groups, E255
6:00-7:30 PM: Evening Concert featuring Rachel Barton Pine, E451
Friday, February 26
6:30 AM-6:30 PM: Registration
Attendee Registration, Exhibit Hall-Lakeside Ballroom North
Performer Registration, Exhibit Hall-Lakeside Ballroom South
8:00 AM-8:00 PM: National Orchestra Festival Performances and Clinics, E450, E451, E351, and E352
8:30 AM-4:30 PM: Educational Sessions, Music Industry Sessions, Music Showcases, Invited Ensemble Performances, and Committee Roundtables
- 10:00AM-4:30 PM: Wellness Lounge, E257
- 3:30-4:30 PM: Jam Session with Christen Blanton, E271
- 3:30-5:00 PM: String Research Poster Presentations, Exhibit Hall-Lakeside Ballroom
9:30 AM-5:00 PM: Exhibits Open, Exhibit Hall-Lakeside Ballroom
11:00-12:30 PM: Exhibit Hall Mix & Mingle, Exhibit Hall-Lakeside Ballroom
11:15-12:15 PM: Intersectional Affinity Groups, E255
5:00-6:30 PM: Evening Concert featuring D-Composed, E451
6:30-9:00 PM: NOF Winners Announcement & Mixer, Hall D1
Saturday, February 27
7:00 AM-2:00 PM: Registration
Attendee Registration, Exhibit Hall-Lakeside Ballroom North
Performer Registration, Exhibit Hall-Lakeside Ballroom South
8:00-9:30 AM: 2027 National Orchestra Festival Grand Champions Performance, E450
8:00 AM-3:00 PM: ASTA Student Day (More information coming soon!)
9:30 AM-1:00 PM: Exhibits Open, Exhibit Hall-Lakeside Ballroom
10:00 AM-3:30 PM: Educational Sessions, Music Industry Sessions, Music Showcases, Invited Ensemble Performances, and Committee Roundtables
- 10:00 AM-3:30 PM: Intersectional Affinity Space, E257
- 11:30 AM-1:00 PM: Idea Exchange Poster Presentations, Exhibit Hall-Lakeside Ballroom
11:00 AM-4:00 PM: National Orchestra Festival Performances and Clinics, E450, E451, E351, and E352
11:30 AM-3:00 PM: Post-Conference Workshops (by invitation) - State Chapter Leadership and Student Chapter Leadership Workshops
Pre-Conference Workshops
We have VERY EXCITING Pre-Conference Workshop options for 2027 National Conference attendees!
Pre-Conference Workshops ($)
Wednesday, February 24
12:00 - 5:00 PM CT
- Beyond String Methods: The Complete Viola Toolkit for Teachers - Katrin Meidell, Katherine Lewis, Daphne Gerling, and Hillary Herndon
- The Havas New Approach in Practice - Freedom, Coordination, Expression - Karen Davy and Gerianna Wigboldus
- The National String Project Consortium Community Music Leadership Forum - Elizabeth Reed
- National Teachers Orchestra - Kathleen Horvath
- Paul Rolland’s Movement-Based String Pedagogy: From First Lessons to Virtuosity - Aaron Jacobs, Lynne Denig, Braunwin Sheldrick, Ida Mercer, Renata Soares Caceres, and Abigail Martinez
Pre-Conference Workshop Information
Coming Soon: Click here to learn more about each workshop and facilitators!
Opens in September: Register for the Conference!
Don't forget your Pre-Conference Session!
Daily Session Schedules
Coming Soon: View the Daily Session Schedule
Special Event Schedules
Check back for updates!
Music submissions close oct 1
New Music Reading Sessions
Learn more about our New Music Reading Sessions and Clinicians!
Applications due Oct 1
Student Master Classes
Learn more about how to apply and our incredibly talented clinicians!
Coming Soon: Committee Roundtables
Committee roundtables are for everyone! Stop by and learn more about projects and how to get involved in our national committees!
Additional Events
Mini-Jams, Jam Sessions, Wellness Lounge, and MORE!
Proposals due oct 15
String Research Poster Session
The poster session will feature reports of research involving any aspect of string playing and teaching, including those that are philosophical, theoretical, or historical in nature, as well as reports that are qualitative or quantitative in design.
Information Coming Soon
Idea Exchange Poster Session
The Idea Exchange Poster Session is an opportunity for presenters to share incredible ideas with colleagues in a poster format. Presenters and attendees will be able to converse, connect, and engage through the poster topics.
