Northern Ohio String Festival

The BW Conservatory of Music is hosting the 2023 Northern Ohio String Festival (NOSF), coordinated by Prof. Douglas Droste, director of orchestral studies, and Dr. David Pope, associate professor of music education and chair of the professional studies department.

During this second annual event, 12 high school orchestras will be participating, bringing together approximately 500 high school students, orchestra teachers and chaperones for the day. Each orchestra will perform a concert in Gamble Auditorium (see schedule below) and receive a clinic from Prof. Droste or Ed Zunic, retired orchestra director from Upper Arlington High School, after their performance.

Participating orchestras will also have the opportunity to attend a 12:30 p.m. concert by the BW Symphony Orchestra (led by Prof. Droste). Visiting students can also sign up for a free trial lesson with Conservatory applied faculty. 

NOTE: Seminary St. will be closed between Church St. and E. Grand St. from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. to accommodate bus parking.

Concert Schedule

Concerts are free and open to the public.
No ticket required.

9 a.m.
Boardman High School Chamber Orchestra
Bill Amendol, Michele Prokop & Christine Carucci, directors

9:30 a.m.
Perrysburg High School Symphony Strings
Abigail Miles & Michael Smith, directors

10 a.m.
Fairview High School String Orchestra
Hillery Needham, director

10:30 a.m.
Beachwood High School Orchestra
Allison Siekmann & Noël DeViney, directors

11 a.m.
Wooster High School Chamber Strings
Caren Atanackovic & Becca Barko, directors

11:30 a.m.
Shaker Heights High School String Orchestra
Donna Jelen, director

12:30 p.m.
Baldwin Wallace University Symphony Orchestra
Douglas Droste, Director of Orchestral Studies

2:30 p.m.
Brunswick High School Camerata
Valerie Roman, director

3 p.m.
Chagrin Falls High School Orchestra
Kendra Karriker, director

3:30 p.m.
Solon High School White Concert Orchestra
Gerry MacDougall & Mark Mauldin, directors

4 p.m.
Elyria High School Symphonic Orchestra
Gregory Smith & Adam Behrendt, directors

4:30 p.m.
Strongsville High School String Orchestra
Andrew Hire, director

5 p.m.
Solon High School Blue Concert Orchestra
Gerry MacDougall, director