June 4^th-10^th, 2023

TVMF is a premiere music day festival for all levels of string students as well as intermediate and advanced woodwinds, brass, and percussion students.  You do not need to be a member of HYO to participate! We invite you to join the Huntsville Youth Orchestra for an intense and highly motivating week of music study!

Repertoire for the Festival will highlight a variety of film music alongside Dimitri Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 6 in B minor, Op. 54 performed by The Tennessee Valley Festival Orchestra. 

Location

Trinity United Methodist Church, 607 Airport Rd., Huntsville AL

Registration

Registration for TVMF 2023 is now open! Click the link at the top of the page to head over to our registration form. Registration fees for TVMF increase after May 21st so be sure to register early! Register by 11:59pm May 25th to ensure you get your preferred T-Shirt size.

Before registering be sure to (1) read through the various track options below to decide which one is best, (2) check out the registration discounts to see if any apply to you, (2) apply for financial aid if needed (more information below). Payment will be required to submit the registration form, do not complete the form until you are ready to pay.

Registration Discounts

• Siblings: Families registering two or more participants are eligible to receive $10 off registration for each participant
• HYO Bring a Friend: Each HYO member that brings a friend to TVMF who is not currently a HYO member, receives $20 off. Friend must register first and list HYO Student’s name on the payment page.
• Seniors: Graduating class of 2023 Seniors are able to attend TVMF for 50% off. Only for current HYO Members.

To receive discount codes, email Taylor Barlow at hyo.exdir@gmail.com before applying. Discounts cannot be redeemed once registration and payment has been completed.

Tracks

Track I: Discovery – Students age 7-11 participate in Nimble Fingers, Nimble Minds, an introductory program for children with no string experience. Instruments are provided. Students may choose the violin or cello. Rental information will be provided for students who wish to practice at home. Instrument fitting will take place on Sunday.

Track I meets 1:00pm-2:00pm, Monday-Friday.

Track I Tuition: $125 ($135 after 5/21)

Track II: Endeavor – A program for beginner and intermediate string students with some experience. After the audition, students will be placed in String Explorers, Prelude Orchestra, or Redstone Orchestra. Students in the Endeavor Track also receive masterclasses/sectionals and a variety of special topics.

Track II meets 9:00am-3:00pm Monday-Thursday & 9:00am-12:00pm on Friday.

Track II Tuition: $315 ($335 after 5/21)

Track III: Atlantis – A program for intermediate and advanced students of all orchestral instruments: strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, and harp. Students will be placed in the Cumberland Orchestra, Twickenham Symphony or Tennessee Valley Philharmonic. Students in the Atlantis track will participate in chamber music, masterclass, and select a special topics class. 

Track III meets 9:00am-4:00pm Monday-Friday.

Track III Tuition: $370 ($390 after 5/21)

Track IV: Enterprise – A program for adult string players who enjoy playing recreationally. Students participate in the Horizon Chamber Orchestra each evening.

Track IV meets 5:30pm-6:45pm Monday-Friday.

Track IV Tuition: $125 ($135 after 5/21)

The Festival Orchestra – The premier ensemble of the TN Valley Music Festival, and is comprised of faculty, members of the Huntsville Youth Symphony, and other advanced students by invitation only.

Festival Orchestra rehearses 7:00pm-9:00pm Sunday & 4:15pm-6:00pm Monday-Thursday.

Auditions

When: Sunday June 4th at 3pm

Where: Trinity UMC, specific rooms will be emailed to participants

Who: All students registered for Track II and III must audition to be placed into ensembles based upon playing ability

Repertoire: 2 minutes of music (solo or etude) that best demonstrates tone, technique, & musicality

All students will be placed in ensembles based on their audition. It is crucial for students to prepare their audition to the best of their ability to be placed into their desired ensemble for the week.

Students will receive an audition number based on the order they check-in for their audition.

Student Guidelines

No food or drinks will be allowed in rehearsals. Students may bring water to drink between rehearsals. 

Students must bring the following to rehearsal:

• Instrument
• Music and any other music literature needed and pencil
• Music stand
• All necessary items needed for instruments (rosin, shoulder rest, end pin stop/strap, as applicable)

Concerts

Festival Orchestra – Thursday, June 8th @ 7:00pm

Student Chamber Music – Friday, June 9th @ 2:00pm

Faculty & Intern Chamber Music – Friday, June 9th @ 7:00pm

Grand Finale Concert I – Saturday, June 10th @ 10:00am (Tracks I, II, and IV)

Grand Finale Concert II – Saturday, June 10th @ 2:00pm (Track III)

All concerts will take place at Trinity UMC in the Sanctuary.  It is strongly recommended that all students take advantage of these concerts, whether they are playing or not.

All concerts are free and open to the public.

Gerhart Scholarship

The Huntsville Youth Orchestra provides the Gerhart Scholarship to current HYO students participating in summer music festivals and camps every year. This year, two winners for the Gerhart Scholarship will be chosen and will receive full tuition scholarships to attend the Tennessee Valley Music Festival. Auditions will be held 10am-12pm, Saturday, May 6th, 2023 at Trinity UMC (Airport Rd). Applications are due Thursday, May 4th, 2023. Click the button below to download the application packet.

Financial Aid

The Tennessee Valley Music Festival is a tremendously valuable and rewarding program for all participants. If you are in need of financial assistance to attend TVMF, we encourage you to apply by completing the application below. Email completed applications to Taylor Barlow at hyo.exdir@gmail.com by May 21st, 2023 to be considered. If you receive financial aid, you will be provided a code to use at registration.