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Virginia Tech Honor String Orchestra Festival- October 23-24, 2026

Honor Orchestra October 23-24 2026- Check back soon for more info! 

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 Sunday 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.

Conductors

Mathias Elmer

Mathias Elmer
(Virginia Tech)
Director of Orchestral Activities

Older man with gray hair and a warm smile, wearing a light gray suit jacket over a white button-up shirt, posed against a neutral gray background.

Christoph Rehli
Guest Conductor

Virginia Tech String Faculty

John Irrera, dark hair and glasses, plays a violin

John Irrera
Violin, Chamber Music

Alan Weinstein, wearing a brown jacket, smiles

Alan Weinstein
Cello, Double Bass, Chamber Music, Fine Arts Studies

Molly Wilkens-Reed, dressed in a black top, brown hair and glasses, holds a viola

Molly Wilkens-Reed
Viola, Director Virginia Tech String Project

Yi-Wen Evans, short dark hair and classes, wearing a black top, plays the bass

Yi-Wen Evans
Bass

Rachel O'Brien playing the harp with an outdoor background.

Rachel O'Brien
Harp

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.

  • A shuttle will run between Chicken HIll and the Creativity and Innovation District Living Learning Center.
  • The shuttle will run from 10 a.m. - noon and 7-9 p.m. on Friday only.

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.