Friday, Oct. 23 – Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026

We are thrilled to announce the third annual Ohio State High School Honor String Orchestra Weekend. With the depth and talent of the string education community in Central Ohio and beyond, this event is quickly becoming a favorite. 

Outstanding string players in grades 9–12 are 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 at 1 p.m. 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 2026, and plan to attend, must confirm their intention to participate by following the steps below to submit an online registration 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, Oct. 5

STEP 1 — Complete the Registration form.

Registration for Accepted students is closed.

STEP 2 — Submit payment. 

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.

If you are unable to pay with a credit card via our online platform, we will connect you with our fiscal officer. You will be provided with next steps to coordinate payment via check with Ohio State Accounts Payable. Email HSHonorOrchestra@osu.edu.

Submit payment at eStore

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 Auditions

All students who have been invited to, and plan to attend, the Ohio State Honor String Orchestra Weekend (Oct. 23–25, 2026) are required to create and upload a video audition for placement into one of the two honor string orchestras — Scarlet Orchestra or Gray Orchestra.

Submit video no later than Oct. 12. Early submissions are welcome.

How to prepare your placement video

Receive your orchestra placement, access your parts and prepare

Week of Oct. 19

During the week of October 19, you will receive an email with your orchestra placement and a link to your parts available online. Please download your parts and prepare them to the best of your ability before your arrival. You may print your own parts if you wish, but hard copies of all music will also be provided at check-in.

Music for Honor String Orchestras will be posted here by Oct. 19.

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 resident 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 Specialist
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, Honor String Orchestra event administrator, at HSHonorOrchestra@osu.edu.