We are seeking nominations for individuals qualified to adjudicate and clinic middle- and high-school orchestras as part of the National Orchestra Festival. Any ASTA member may nominate a colleague or self-nominate for any position.

Mission Statement

The American String Teachers Association’s National Orchestra Festival® (NOF) promotes orchestral performance by middle school and high school students through providing a performance opportunity in a national setting with constructive evaluation and comments by nationally recognized experts in the field.

The National Orchestra Festival Adjudicators and Clinicians are pivotal to the festival's success; those selected will attend and perform the roles outlined below.

Adjudicators and Clinicians will be selected from the applications and invited based on the following criteria:

Both Roles:

• Must be a current ASTA professional member.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the ASTA National Orchestra Festival and ASTA Conference experience.
• Demonstrate knowledge of public/private school systems, the ages of the students, and the expectations of an orchestral ensemble at each age/level (middle through high school).
• Demonstrate a willingness to attend required meetings leading up to the festival dates.
• Demonstrate leadership and communication skills

Adjudicator:

• Experience adjudicating orchestras in a competitive and non-competitive festival setting
• Ability to interpret the scores and select NOF Grand Champions and runners-up
• Demonstrate knowledge of the current orchestral repertoire with the ability to provide detailed written and verbal (real-time/immediately post-performance) feedback within the following framework: NOF Adjudication Form
• Demonstrate knowledge of the current orchestra classroom procedures with the ability to provide detailed written and verbal (real-time/immediately post-performance) feedback to implement in the classroom following the festival

Clinician:

• Experience with providing clinics to orchestras in a festival setting
• Ability to work with current orchestra repertoire in a clinic
• Understanding the needs of students at the age/level in attendance and their aptitude in a clinic setting to create a positive rapport with the whole group
• Demonstrate knowledge of the current orchestral repertoire with the ability to provide verbal feedback on tone, intonation, rhythm, technique, musicianship, and repertoire as represented in the following framework: NOF Adjudication Form
• Demonstrate knowledge of the current orchestra classroom procedures with the ability to provide verbal feedback to implement in the classroom following the festival

Additional Considerations:

• There must be a 5-year window between being involved with the festival to allow repeat NOF orchestras to have a variety of festival individuals.
• The Panel should include:

- A balance between high-profile individuals and those actively working in a classroom setting.

- Diversity in terms of gender, race, and geographic location.

- Each member brings a unique strength to the panel, creating a diverse balance.

Application - Festival:

• August 1, 2026: Applications Open
• September 15, 2026: Applications Close
• Selection:

- The NOF Committee will submit a list of 10 recommendations from the applicants. This list will include recommendations for alternatives.

- The Executive Committee will approve the final list, and the ASTA Staff Liaison will send out invitations.

• October 1, 2026: Contracts sent to selected Applicants
• October 15, 2026: Contracts Due
• January (2028): Required Informational Meeting
• February: NOF and National Conference in Richmond, VA, March 1-4, 2028

ASTA Covers and Reimbursement

• ASTA provides complimentary registration to the National Conference.
• ASTA will provide and manage hotel rooms from the night before the first day of the festival through the night before the final day of the festival.
• ASTA will reimburse round- trip coach airfare OR mileage.

* If mileage is submitted in place of airfare, it will be reimbursed up to the amount of coach airfare and/or mileage at the standard federal rate for round-trip, whichever is less.

Conflict of Interest Notice

NOF Committee members, Clinicians, and Adjudicators will be asked to avoid conflicts of interest in working with selected NOF groups once groups have been chosen for the coming year.