The health and safety of our patrons, volunteers, performers, staff, and community is our top priority. We continue to closely monitor county and state guidelines to ensure the most up-to-date health and safety protocols are in place. With the recent changes from the CDC and California Department of Public Health, we urge you to read our Health & Safety Protocols page before your next visit to learn more about our and our venues' updated and latest protocols, which may be altered as new guidance is issued.

High School Orchestra Festival
Grades 9-12
This day-long series of performances showcases local high school orchestras and string ensembles in a professional and adjudicated setting. Whether in-person with a live audience or online, this festival will give the community’s young musicians a chance to shine, as well act as a much-needed fundraiser for music programs.
2023 High School Orchestra Festival
We are excited to invite you to apply for participation in the Philharmonic Society's 10th Annual Invitational Philharmonic High School Orchestra Festival! Each year we host some of the best musicians across Orange County and this season is no exception.
Thank you all for reaching out by phone, email and through colleagues and friends—we heard you. The original date of Saturday, April 8th, was not an ideal date for anyone involved, so we shifted some things to secure the venue on Monday, March 27th. Although this is a school day, it was widely accepted that this date was better than the last. So, thank you!
Ensembles will be chosen on a first come first served basis and we will confirm your participation in December 2022. We encourage first-time festival applicants to apply, as well as those who have participated in the past. Ensembles will have about 30 minutes onstage to perform.
THE APPLICATION FOR THIS CYCLE IS CLOSED.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: No later than Monday, October 17, 2022
FESTIVAL DATE: Monday, March 27, 2023
TIMES: TBD
FEE: $450 (payable after ensembles are selected and confirmed)
LOCATION:
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts
600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
To be eligible for this festival, ensembles must:
- Operate within Orange County
- Present an ensemble with 45 or more musicians
- Perform classical music repertoire
This is an invitational festival in which we are proud to showcase Orange County's student ensembles and musicians. Our adjudicators will provide feedback, both digitally recorded and as written comments to directors and their groups.
We look forward to receiving your application!
2021 High School Orchestra Festival
The 8th Annual High School Orchestra Festival was held via livestream on April 24, 2021, as hundreds of people tuned in from across the United States to show their support for these young, inspired musicians. Participating groups included Beckman High School, Esperanza High School, Santa Ana High School, Orange County Youth Symphony, Los Alamitos High School, and Huntington Beach High School.