About Fall Festival

November 10, 2026.

Salem High School, Salem, NH

Our Fall Orchestra Festival is held annually. Our 2026 festival will be held on Tuesday, November 10, 2026 from 10:00am-6:00pm at Salem High School, Salem, NH. This festival is open to any student in grades 9-12. Home-schooled students of the same age are also welcome to attend. Participation is open to any student who would like to attend, and is not limited to New Hampshire residents or the students of NHASTA members. During the festival day, high school string students participate in orchestra rehearsals concluding with an evening concert. More details to come for a fall registration date.

Registration

The 2026 NHASTA Fall Orchestra Festival will take place at Salem High School on Tuesday, November 10, 2026. The festival is open to students in grades 9–12, including home-schooled students of the same age, and welcomes participants from both private studios and school programs. Students do not need to be New Hampshire residents, and recommending teachers are not required to be ASTA members.

Purpose and Description:

The Fall Orchestra Festival is designed to provide high school-aged students with a meaningful orchestral experience that balances accessibility with musical challenge. It gives young musicians the opportunity to develop ensemble skills, improve technique, and explore expressive interpretation in a supportive yet rigorous setting. The festival also promotes artistic growth and peer connection, culminating in a concert at 6:00 PM the evening of the event. 

The pieces chosen for this year’s festival are as follows:

Finale from Firebird by Igor Stravinski, arr. Jamin Hoffman

Fiddle Fury by Kathryn Griesinger

Capriol Suite, Movements 1 and 5 by Peter Warlock

Registration:

Students must be recommended by a teacher to participate. All students who are recommended will be accepted into the orchestra. The registration fee is $35 per student, and the deadline for submission is Friday, September 25.

Please distribute the following forms to eligible students you wish to recommend:

  • Student Information Letter (Add your own “due date”)

  • Fact Sheet (Add your own “due date”)

  • Student Registration Form

  • Student Emergency Info Form

Have students return completed forms and payment to you. Families may write checks payable to “NHASTA.” After collecting everything, send the forms and fees to NHASTA at the address listed below. You’ll then complete your Teacher Recommendation using the online forms linked below. These recommendations will help us assign orchestra placements and select appropriate repertoire. Music and placement details will be sent to you once finalized.

If you have questions after reading the Teacher Information and Checklist, please contact the festival organizer: Stephen Poirier