Virginia Tech Honor String Orchestra Festival- October 23-24, 2026
The Virginia Tech Honor String Orchestra Festival takes place October 23 and 24, 2026 and accepts students by director's recommendation. Students will participate in masterclasses with Virginia Tech’s outstanding string faculty.
On Saturday evening, the festival will culminate in a combined concert in the Anne and Ellen Fife Theatre in the Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech. The concert will feature the Honor String Orchestra first, followed by the VT Philharmonic Orchestra, and close the evening with a side-by-side piece with Honor Strings and VT Philharmonic combined.
Conductor
Mathias Elmer
(Virginia Tech)
Director of Orchestral Activities
On-Site Music Application Process
The On-Site Music Application process gives students interested in majoring in music at Virginia Tech the opportunity to complete their music audition during an Honor Event and receive an early admission decision from Virginia Tech.
To participate, students must complete the required application and supplemental materials before arriving on campus. Students who complete all requirements will audition during the first day of the Honor Event and receive their Virginia Tech admission decision before leaving campus.
To participate, please complete the following steps:
Complete this short form to let us know you intend to participate in the On-Site Music Application process.
Submit your Common Application to Virginia Tech by October 1. Most people reading this will choose the first-year student option.
Complete the Supplemental Materials that appear in your Virginia Tech applicant portal. This will appear within 48 hours of submitting your Common Application. These include the Music Audition Form and required academic materials. When completing the Music Audition Form, select October 23 as your audition date.
Receive your audition time from us. Once all supplemental materials have been completed, you will receive an audition time scheduled during the first day of Honor Strings.
Complete your Virginia Tech music audition on October 23 while you are on campus for Honor Orchestra.
Receive your Virginia Tech admission decision on October 25.
Virginia Tech String Faculty
John Irrera
Violin, Chamber Music
Alan Weinstein
Cello, Double Bass, Chamber Music, Fine Arts Studies
Molly Wilkens-Reed
Viola, Director Virginia Tech String Project
Yi-Wen Evans
Bass
Rachel O'Brien
Harp
- The Inn at Virginia Tech - 877-200-3360 (Discounted rate!)
- Main Street Inn Blacksburg - 540-552-6246
- Hyatt Place Blacksburg - 540-552-7500 (Discounted rate! Group name: Honor Orchestra)
- Residence Inn by Marriott - 540-750-4400
- Holiday Inn Express - 540-552-5636
- Home2 Suites by Hilton - 540-726-4242
- Marriott Courtyard - 540-552-5222
- Hampton Inn (NRV Mall) - 540-381-5874
- Holiday Inn Christiansburg - 540-381-8100
- Quality Inn - 540-382-2055
- Comfort Inn - 540-951-1500
- Holiday Inn Express (I-81) - 540-382-6500
- Fairfield Inn (I-81) - 540-381-9596
Note: we are not directly affiliated with any of these hotels.
Like any college campus, parking at Virginia Tech can be challenging without a plan. On Saturday and Sunday, all spaces are open without permits and parking is free, but Friday requires some planning. We cannot reimburse or forgive any parking tickets.
Parking for drop-off is in front of the Creativity and Innovation District Living Learning Center: Google maps link
Parking is available at the Chicken Hill (927 Southgate Dr, Blacksburg, VA 24061) parking lot for $8 a day by using the ParkMobile app.
Parking for personal vehicles is available through the ParkMobile app, or through the purchase of a $8 daily permit. Find information on campus parking for visitors here.