Hoff-Barthelson Music School’s Festival Orchestra is a full symphonic orchestra for high school students at the highest level of technical ability and musical artistry. Under the direction of Jun Nakabayashi, the Festival Orchestra performs three concerts annually; two are with guest artists of international stature. The orchestra meets on Tuesday evenings from 7:15 – 9:30 pm. Members participate in sectional coachings with musicians from the New York Philharmonic each spring.

The Festival Orchestra is open to all high school students, whether studying at HBMS or elsewhere. Students not yet in high school but who demonstrate exceptional ability and maturity may also audition.

2023-24 Concerts and Repertoire

Winter Concert — December 9, 2023 — “Homage”

• Wagner — Siegfried Idyll (Celebrating the birth of his son, Siegfried)
• Vaughan Williams — The Lark Ascending (Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the composer’s birth)
• Mendelssohn — Symphony No.1 (Dedicated to his sister on her 19th birthday)

Spanning the Centuries Music Festival — March 16, 2024

• Mozart — Overture to Der Schauspieldirektor
• Mozart — Overture to Die Entführung aus dem Serail

Spring Concert — June 1, 2024 — “From Budapest to Prague”
Performing Arts Center, Purchase College

• Kodály — Galanta Dances
• Martinu — Concerto for Oboe
• Mozart — Symphony No. 38 “Prague”

Tuition, Merit Scholarships, and Financial Aid
Annual tuition is $1,170 and prorated for mid-year enrollments. Merit scholarships are available to students who play bass, oboe, bassoon, horn, or trumpet and demonstrate the highest level of technical ability and musical artistry during their audition.

Additionally, Hoff-Barthelson Music School welcomes need-based financial aid applications.
Learn more about financial aid here.