Schedules

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Schedule At-A-Glance

Wednesday, February 24

10:30 AM-8:00 PM: Registration

Attendee Registration, Exhibit Hall-Lakeside Ballroom North (E354)

Performer Registration, Exhibit Hall-Lakeside Ballroom South (E354)

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 (E354)

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 (E354)

Performer Registration, Exhibit Hall-Lakeside Ballroom South (E354)

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 (E354)

11:00-5:00 PM: Exhibits Open, Exhibit Hall-Lakeside Ballroom (E354)

11:15-12:15 PM: Intersectional Affinity Groups, E263

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 (E354)

Performer Registration, Exhibit Hall-Lakeside Ballroom South (E354)

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 (E354)

9:30 AM-5:00 PM: Exhibits Open, Exhibit Hall-Lakeside Ballroom (E354)

11:00-12:30 PM: Exhibit Hall Mix & Mingle, Exhibit Hall-Lakeside Ballroom (E354)

11:15-12:15 PM: Intersectional Affinity Groups, E263

5:00-6:30 PM: Evening Concert featuring D-Composed, E451

6:30-9:00 PM: NOF Winners Announcement & Mixer, Hall D1 (Level 3)

Saturday, February 27

7:00 AM-2:00 PM: Registration

Attendee Registration, Exhibit Hall-Lakeside Ballroom North (E354)

Performer Registration, Exhibit Hall-Lakeside Ballroom South (E354)

8:00-9:30 AM: 2027 National Orchestra Festival Grand Champions Performance, E450

8:00 AM-2:00 PM: ASTA Student Day (More information coming soon!)

9:30 AM-1:00 PM: Exhibits Open, Exhibit Hall-Lakeside Ballroom (E354)

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 (E354)

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
National Teachers Orchestra - Kathleen Horvath
The National String Project Consortium Community Music Leadership Forum - Michael Buckles, Marissa Guarriello, Dijana Ihas, Stephanie Meyers, Kelsey Nussbaum, Elizabeth Reed, Tian Sánchez-Ballado, and Molly Wilkens-Reed
Paul Rolland’s Movement-Based String Pedagogy: From First Lessons to Virtuosity - Lynne Denig, Aaron Jacobs, Abigail Martinez, Ida Mercer, Braunwin Sheldrick, and Renata Soares Caceres

Daily Session Schedules

Coming Soon!
View the Daily Session Schedule

Special Event Schedules

Check back for updates!

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.
Music submissions close oct 1
New Music Reading Sessions
Learn more about our New Music Reading Sessions and Clinicians!
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.
Applications due Oct 1
Student Master Classes
Learn more about how to apply and our incredibly talented clinicians!
Committee Roundtables
Committee roundtables are for everyone! Stop by and learn more about projects and how to get involved in our national committees!
Eclectic Styles Mini Jams
Come learn, play, and connect at the Jam Sessions on Thursday and Friday afternoon! For beginners through advanced, clinicians will provide instruction and guidance for everyone!
Intersectional Affinity Groups
The Representation, Inclusion, and Accessibility (RIA) Committee invites ASTA attendees of historically excluded and underrepresented identities to participate in the affinity social gatherings.
Wellness Lounge
Join the ASTA Wellness Committee for a range of presentations to support your personal, professional, and students’ wellbeing!