Orchestra

Dates: June 13 – July 11, 2027 at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA

Program Cost: $4,900 for 4-week residential program

Orchestral performances form the heart of the MasterWorks Festival. The program is open to qualified students, ages 14 to 26. (Applicants outside this age range will be given individual consideration.) Participants work with MasterWorks’ renowned artist faculty in lessons and rehearsals as they prepare and perform standard orchestral literature weekly, throughout the four-week program. Prayer before rehearsals/performances, mentorship by faculty, and festival-wide spiritual activities encourage the growth of students’ faith.

Past guest conductors include Ken-David Masur, David Chan, David Bowden, Miriam Burns, Delta David Gier, Darryl One, Andrew Sewell, John Nelson, and Daniel Meyer. Guest Artists have included Stephen Tavani, David Kim, Midori Gotō, Jay Ferree, Wei Yu, Wael Farouk, and Carter Johnson.

2027 Repertoire:

Week 1 – Delta David Gier, conductor
Berlioz: Roman Carnival Overture
Bartok: Piano Concerto No. 2 – Wael Farouk, pianist
Dvorak: Symphony No. 9 “New World”

Week 2 – David Chan, conductor
Overture: TBD
Concerto: TBD
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 5

Week 3 – Miriam Burns, conductor
Overture: TBD
Concerto: TBD
Brahms: Symphony No. 2

Week 4 – David Chan, conductor
Overture: TBD
Student Concerto Winners
Debussy: La Mer

Additional Performance Opportunities:

• Chamber Music Groups
• Concerto Competition
• MasterClasses with Guest Artists
• Outreach Performances
• Solo Honors Recital
• Sunday Morning Worship Services

Features of the Orchestra Program:

• Rehearsals and performances with the Festival Orchestra
• Private lessons with MasterWorks faculty
• Technique and literature study
• Independent practice time – minimum of 10 hours/week
• Chamber music opportunities

Orchestra Program Audition Requirements:

All applicants, including alumni, must submit:

• Completed online application and fee
• Current résumé and/or list of musical experiences, including repertoire studied/performed and ensemble experience
• YouTube video recording(s) of the highest quality. Performances must be within the last 12 months.

Flute

1. Mozart Concerto in G Major, mvt.1 exposition
2. Choose three contrasting orchestral excerpts from the approved list. One of the three must be from the 2027 MWF orchestral repertoire.

Piccolo

1. Vivaldi Concerto in CM slow movement, 16 measures
2. Choose three contrasting orchestral excerpts from the approved list. One of the three must be from the 2027 MWF orchestral repertoire.

Oboe

1. Two contrasting solo movements or etudes
2. Choose three contrasting orchestral excerpts from the approved list. One of the three must be from the 2027 MWF orchestral repertoire.

Clarinet

1. One movement of a standard concerto, sonata, or concert piece
2. Choose three contrasting orchestral excerpts from the approved list. One of the three must be from the 2027 MWF orchestral repertoire.

Bassoon

1. One movement of a standard concerto, sonata, or concert piece
2. Choose three contrasting orchestral excerpts from the approved list. One of the three must be from the 2027 MWF orchestral repertoire.

Trumpet

1. A short solo section or sections of your choice
2. Choose three contrasting orchestral excerpts from the approved list. One of the three must be from the 2027 MWF orchestral repertoire.

Tenor Trombone

1. One solo work
2. Choose three contrasting orchestral excerpts from the approved list. One of the three must be from the 2027 MWF orchestral repertoire.

Bass Trombone

1. One solo work
2. Choose three contrasting orchestral excerpts from the approved list. One of the three must be from the 2027 MWF orchestral repertoire.

Horn

1. One solo work
2. Choose three contrasting orchestral excerpts from the approved list. One of the three must be from the 2027 MWF orchestral repertoire.

Tuba

1. One solo work
2. Choose three contrasting orchestral excerpts from the approved list. One of the three must be from the 2027 MWF orchestral repertoire.

Percussion

1. A snare solo of your choice
2. Choose three contrasting orchestral excerpts from the approved list. One of the three must be from the 2027 MWF orchestral repertoire.

Violin

1. Two pieces of contrasting style, including a concerto or solo piece with orchestral accompaniment (no accompaniment is required for the recording)
2. Choose three contrasting orchestral excerpts from the approved list. One of the three must be from the 2027 MWF orchestral repertoire.

Viola

1. Two pieces of contrasting style, including a concerto or solo piece with orchestral accompaniment (no accompaniment is required for the recording)
2. Choose three contrasting orchestral excerpts from the approved list. One of the three must be from the 2027 MWF orchestral repertoire.

Violoncello

1. Two pieces of contrasting style, including a concerto or solo piece with orchestral accompaniment (no accompaniment is required for the recording)
2. Choose three contrasting orchestral excerpts from the approved list. One of the three must be from the 2027 MWF orchestral repertoire.

Bass

1. Two pieces of contrasting style, including a concerto or solo piece with orchestral accompaniment (no accompaniment is required for the recording)
2. Choose three contrasting orchestral excerpts from the approved list. One of the three must be from the 2027 MWF orchestral repertoire.

Harp

1. Two solo pieces of contrasting style
2. Choose three contrasting orchestral excerpts from the approved list. One of the three must be from the 2027 MWF orchestral repertoire.