Honor Orchestra

The annual PLU Honor Orchestra for Strings brings together outstanding high school string players from across the country, offering them the opportunity to perform exceptional string orchestra literature under the direction of a nationally recognized guest conductor. Nominated by their high school orchestra directors, these young musicians gain valuable experience through two days of intensive rehearsals and sectionals with expert string clinicians, culminating in a final performance by the Honor Orchestra.

Benefits of Honor Orchestra Attending:

• Prestigious Venue: Perform in Lagerquist Hall, one of Washington’s most prestigious concert venues, providing an exceptional performance experience.
• Fellowship and Networking: Spend two enriching days with string players from across the region in a supportive, non-competitive environment.
• Expert Guidance: Work with a nationally recognized guest conductor through daily rehearsals, enhancing your musical skills and experience.
• Skill Development: Improve your technical abilities through daily sectionals and an optional master class with distinguished members of Carpe Diem.
• Affordable Participation: Enjoy a low entry fee, making this opportunity accessible.
• Performance Broadcast: Receive a live stream link to the final performance.
• Masterclass Participation: Up to 9 students will be selected for a public masterclass based on a recorded audition submitted by the registration deadline. Each selected student will receive 20 minutes of stage time, divided into 5 minutes for performing a solo excerpt and 15 minutes for feedback and guidance during the masterclass.

Important Dates:

• Nomination Deadline: December 3, 2024, 2:00 pm — Please check with each student concerning their availability prior to nominating.
• Registration and Payment Deadline: January 1, 2025, 2:00 pm — There will be a non-refundable fee of $140 for each student musician participating in the Honor Orchestra for Strings. This fee includes dinner on Saturday and lunch on Sunday.
• Check in and Seating Auditions: January 18, 2025, 9:00 am
• PLUHO Final Performance: January 19, 2025, 6:00 pm

Nominations:

High school directors or youth symphony directors, please use the link provided below to nominate and recommend your outstanding students to participate in the PLU Honor Orchestra for Strings. There is a participant fee of $140 for each student participating in the Honor Orchestra.

• The window for Nomination Forms will open on September 6, 2024.
• Nomination deadline: December 3, 2024, 2:00 pm

Notification of Results:

High school directors will receive notifications of selected students accepted by December 5, 2024.

Registration:

Honor Orchestra Registration will be made available following the designated nomination period.

Once nominations have been reviewed, participants will be notified of acceptance via email and provided access to the online Registration form. Once received, please complete registration and payment using the link provided by the deadline. Each student must register on their own even if the payment is going through the school.

• Participant fee: $140 (non-refundable)
• Payment Deadline: January 1, 2025, 2:00pm

Please note that no refunds will be allowed after registration has been completed, and no registration or payment will be accepted following the deadline of January 1, 2025.

Performance Attire:

For the final performance, students should plan on wearing standard black concert attire that they would normally wear for school performances. Aside from the concerts, casual dress is appropriate.

Music and Audition Material:

Seating will be determined by auditions on January 18 just before the first rehearsal. The audition material will be chosen from the repertoire for the orchestra but we will not publish which passages they will be asked to play ahead of time. It is important that everyone have all of the parts prepared in their entirety. Please find the program list below. Parts will be added soon.

Schedule:

A detailed schedule will be available soon.

The two-day event culminates in a public performance in the Lagerquist Concert Hall in the Mary Baker Russell Music Center. A link to the live stream performance will be shared with participants. Admission is free and no tickets are required.

More Information:

• Directions to PLU
• Airport and Lodging Information
• Bus Parking Information

For Questions:

Asieh Mahyar, Director of Orchestras
School of Music, Theatre & Dance; Pacific Lutheran University
(253) 535-7602 e-mail: asieh.mahyar@plu.edu

Abby Deskins, Coordinator of Educational Outreach Programs
College of Professional Studies; Pacific Lutheran University
(253) 535-7877 e-mail: adeskins@plu.edu

Korine Fujiwara, Visiting Instructor of Music, Strings and Composition
School of Music, Theatre & Dance; Pacific Lutheran University
(253) 535-7602 e-mail: korine.fujiwara@plu.edu

School of Music, Theatre & Dance
Mary Baker Russell Music Center
(253) 535-7602 e-mail: music@plu.edu