Friday, Oct. 18 – Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024
Following the long-standing success of the Ohio State High School Honor Band Weekend, we are thrilled to announce the inaugural Ohio State High School Honor String Orchestra Weekend. We know that with the depth and talent of the string education community in Central Ohio and beyond, this annual event will quickly become a favorite.
Outstanding string players in grades 9–12 will be selected from director nominations. Those invited students who elect to attend will be placed via video audition submission into one of two orchestras — Scarlet Orchestra and Gray Orchestra.
The weekend will open with a performance by the Ohio State Symphony Orchestra. Both student orchestras will close the weekend with a performance on Sunday afternoon in Weigel Auditorium. Both concerts are free and open to the public.
For Accepted Students
Students who have received notification of acceptance to High School Honor String Orchestra 2024, and plan to attend, must confirm their intention to participate by following the steps below to submit an online acceptance form, payment and required participation forms. To be placed into one of the two orchestras, students will also be required to submit a recorded seating-audition.
Forms and Payment — Deadline: Monday, Sept. 30
STEP 1 — Complete the Acceptance Form. Closed
STEP 2 — Payment. Payment may be made by credit card (preferred) or check/money order.
- Pay online with a credit card at the School of Music eStore. After submitting payment, you will receive an invoice showing "Paid" at the top.
- Pay with a check or money order, made payable to "The Ohio State University.” Indicate "HS Honor String Orchestra" on the memo line of the check.
Mail payment to the School of Music at the address below. Do not send cash.
High School Honor String Orchestra Weekend
The Ohio State University School of Music
110 Weigel Hall
1866 College Rd.
Columbus, OH 43210
You will receive confirmation via email within 7–10 business days.
Submit payment with credit card
STEP 3 — Participation Forms. Parents/guardians and participants will receive an email from Christopher Dent, event administrator, via DocuSign with required participation forms that you will sign electronically.
Video Audition — Deadline: Monday, Oct. 7
Students must prepare a video recording for placement into one of the two honors orchestras.
Musical excerpts and instructions to make and submit your video:
Once completed, upload your video to YouTube, and email the unlisted link to Christopher Dent.
Fees and Housing
Commuters — $110 includes:
- Lunch and dinner Saturday, and lunch on Sunday
- Honors Orchestra T-shirt
- All instruction
Resident, staying in hotels — $250 includes all items above, plus:
- Hotel stay (Friday and Saturday nights) — 2 persons per room
- Breakfasts at the hotel
- Shuttle bus
Hotel housing is arranged by the School of Music at the Holiday Inn Express and Staybridge Suites on Olentangy River Rd. Bus transportation will be provided to students, to and from these locations for all scheduled activities. All residents will stay in the prearranged rooms, under School of Music staff supervision.
We do not recommend that students stay with families in the hotel. If this is necessary, the student will be considered a commuter and will need to provide their own transportation to and from all events on campus.
Final Instructions
Prior to the event, all registered participants will receive an email with detailed information including arrival, parking, check-in, what to bring, and more.
What to Expect
Participants will enjoy:
- An opening concert by The Ohio State University Symphony Orchestra
- Master classes by School of Music faculty
- Comprehensive and educational rehearsals led by Ohio State orchestra faculty
- Engagement with challenging and rewarding repertoire
- Q&A with the School of Music Admissions staff
- Presenting a closing concert in Weigel Auditorium, free and open to the public
Tentative Honors Orchestra Schedule
Honor String Orchestra Weekend includes TWO orchestras. Schedules are subject to change and will vary slightly for each orchestra throughout the weekend.
Friday
5–6 p.m. — Check-in
6–7 p.m. — Sectional rehearsals
7–7:30 p.m. — Transition
7:30–9 p.m. — The Ohio State University Symphony Orchestra Concert in Weigel Auditorium
9:15 p.m. — Buses depart for hotels
11 p.m. — Lights out
Saturday
7 a.m. — Eat breakfast on your own at home or at hotel
8 a.m. — Buses depart for School of Music
8:30–11:30 a.m. — Rehearsal
11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. — Lunch (provided)
1–5 p.m. — Rehearsals / sectionals / master classes
5:15 p.m. — Dinner (provided)
6:45 – 9 p.m. — Rehearsals / Q&A with School of Music Admissions
9:15 p.m. — Buses depart for hotel
11 p.m. — Lights out
Sunday
7 a.m. — Eat breakfast on your own at home or at hotel
8 a.m. — Buses depart for School of Music
8:30–11 a.m. — Rehearsals and breaks
11 a.m.–12:45 p.m. — Lunch (provided) / Change and transition to concert preparation
12:45–1 p.m. — Transition to stage and Weigel Hall
1–2 p.m. — Finale Concert for both orchestras
We are proud that High School Honor String Orchestra Weekend will be an experience in which students, parents and orchestra directors find value, and we appreciate your support of this event.
Questions?
Email Christopher Dent, event administrator.