Tennessee Valley Music Festival

The Tennessee Valley Music Festival (TVMF) is the Tennessee Valley’s premier summer music program, offering a dynamic and immersive experience for musicians of all levels. Woodwind, brass, and percussion players (intermediate with at least two years of experience to advanced) and string players of all levels (from beginners to adults) are invited to join the Huntsville Youth Orchestra for an engaging and intensive week of music.

Participants will choose from four specialized tracks designed to match their experience level. Under the guidance of renowned artist-faculty, students will refine their skills through hands-on instruction, chamber music, and ensemble performance in a supportive and inspiring environment. The festival culminates in a final showcase concert, celebrating each musician’s growth and achievements.

The Tennessee Valley Music Festival 2025: Legends, focuses on music inspired by traditional stories or folktales—both from the United States and beyond—that are considered historical but often exaggerated. Track III students will perform Robert Kerr's "Johnny Appleseed Suite" and excerpts from Rimsky-Korsakov's "Scheherazade," inspired by "One Thousand and One Nights," a collection of Middle Eastern folktales from the Islamic Golden Age. The Festival Orchestra will perform Igor Stravinsky's Suite from "The Firebird" (1919). Other selections are to be determined.

Tracks

  • Track I

    Students age 7-11 participate in Nimble Fingers, Nimble Minds, an introductory program for children with no string experience. Students may choose the violin or cello. Instruments are provided depending on size availability for use at TVMF and rental information will be sent out if the correct size is not available or are interested in renting to practice at home.

    Track I Schedule
    Sunday: 1:30 p.m. (instrument fittings)
    Monday - Friday: 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
    Saturday: Grand Finale I Concert 10 a.m.

  • Track II

    A program for beginner and intermediate string students with some experience. After a brief audition (see audition info below), students will be placed in String Explorers, Prelude Orchestra, or Redstone Orchestra. Students in Track II also receive masterclasses/sectionals and a variety of special topics classes.

    Track II Schedule
    Sunday: 3:00 p.m. (auditions)
    Monday - Thursday: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m
    Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
    Saturday: Grand Finale I Concert 10 a.m.

  • Track III

    A program for intermediate and advanced students of all orchestral and wind band instruments: strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, and harp. Students will audition (see audition info below) and be placed into Cumberland Orchestra, Twickenham Symphony or Tennessee Valley Philharmonic. Students in Track III will participate in chamber music, masterclasses, and select a special topics class.

    Track III Schedule
    Sunday: 3:00 p.m. (auditions)
    Monday - Friday: 9:00am-4:00pm
    Saturday: Grand Finale II Concert 2 p.m.

  • Track IV

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

    Track IV Schedule
    Monday - Friday: 5:30 p.m. -6:45 p.m.
    Saturday: Grand Finale I Concert 10 a.m.

Auditions for Tracks II & III

All students in Tracks II and III are required to perform a placement audition on the first Sunday of The Tennessee Valley Music Festival to be appropriately placed in the correct ensemble within their Track and seating for the week.

When: Auditions will be held Sunday beginning at 3 p.m. Students may arrive starting at 2:30 p.m. to check in and warm up. DO NOT arrive before 2:30 p.m. or you will be asked to wait.
Where: Students should report to the New Room Lobby at Trinity UMC upon arrival. They will be given specific warm up room and audition room numbers upon checking in.
Audition Requirements: two minutes of music (solo or etude) that best demonstrates tone, technique, & musicality
Audition Slots: Students will be given an audition time slot in the order they arrive

TVMF 2025 Concerts

  • Festival Orchestra

    Thursday, June 5 | 7 pm

  • Student Chamber Music

    Track III
    Friday, June 6 | 2 pm

  • Faculty & Intern Chamber

    Friday, June 6 | 7 pm

  • Grand Finale I

    Tracks I, II, & IV
    Saturday, June 7 | 10 am

  • Grand Finale II

    Track III
    Saturday, June 7 | 2 pm

FAQs

  • Students should bring the following to TVMF:
    - instrument
    - music stand
    - pencil
    - lunch (not provided)
    - water
    - music and folder (passed out the first day)
    - any instrument specific accessories (reeds, swab, valve oil, rosin, metronome, tuner, etc)

    Students should label their stand and case with their name. Stands are often misplaced and left behind throughout the week.

  • Once registration is open, a link will be available above taking you to our registration page with details on how to register and a link to the form on Jotform. Payment is required at the end of registration on the form through PayPal or Venmo. Be sure you have any applicable discount codes (sibling discount, financial aid, or Gerhart Scholarship) before registering. If you need to use a different payment method or have issues registering, please contact info@hsvyo.org

  • Be sure to read the description of each track before registering. Track I is for beginners (strings only), Track II is for intermediate students (strings only), Track III is for Advanced students (strings, winds, brass, percussion, harp), and Track IV is for adults (strings only).

    All winds, brass, and percussion should register for Track III as all other Tracks are for Strings only.

    Current HYO Members should register for the following:
    - Track II: Concert Orchestra, Intermezzo Orchestra, Novice Strings
    - Track III: HYS, Sinfonia, Philharmonia

  • Daily schedules vary by track. View the schedule overview listed in the description for each track above. Students are expected to attend all concerts throughout the week even if they are not performing. Watching our world class faculty and interns perform can be truly inspiring for young musicians!

  • Registration opens in February and will remain open until the day before TVMF. Register early by 5/1 to receive a discounted rate and secure your preferred T-shirt size.

  • All TVMF concerts are free and open to the public. It is expected for all students to attend the Festival Orchestra and Faculty Chamber Recitals. Watching our world-class faculty perform can be inspiring to students of any age.

  • TVMF is held at Trinity United Methodist Church (607 Airport Rd SW Huntsville, AL 35802). Parents should drop off and pick up students outside of the New Room Lobby Entrance.