The High School Honors Performance Series at the Musikverein was established to showcase some of the most talented student performers in high school today. Through an individual nomination and selection process, accomplished students are brought together in Vienna with peers to comprise the Honors Choir and Honors Instrumental Ensembles.

Our 2020 Honors Conductors will be announced at a later date. Previous Conductors for the 2019 High School Honors Performances include:

• Dr. Lynne Gackle - High School Honors Choir, Sydney Opera House
• Kirt Mosier - High School Honors String Orchestra, Carnegie Hall; High School Honors Orchestra, Sydney Opera House
• Sharon Lavery - High School Honors Band, Carnegie Hall
• André Thomas - High School Honors Concert Choir, Carnegie Hall
• H. Robert Reynolds - High School Honors Band, Sydney Opera House

All of our conductors have received international acclaim for their work and have extensive experience in working with talented students, making them the perfect choices to lead our Honors Ensembles. Click here to learn more about all of our distinguished Honors Conductors.

The program was developed to challenge students to perform at their very best as they play and sing for concert-going patrons and other supporters. Though much of the students’ time is focused on performance preparation, the week also allows students to experience the best of the sights and the performance arts in Vienna.

Highlights of the 6-day program typically include (tentative and subject to change):

• Perform in elite Honors Performances at the Musikverein under the direction of renowned conductors.
• Work with master conductors and build your performing resume.
• Rehearse and interact with other Finalists from across the world.
• Celebrate your accomplishments on a Finalist Celebration Cruise aboard a private yacht.
• See a performance at the famous Vienna State Opera, visit some of the most famous landmarks, and experience Vienna!

The 2020 High School Series at the Musikverein will take place June 26 - July 1, 2020.  The Honors Performance at the Musikverein is Tuesday, June 30.

The 2020 High School Honors Performance Series will feature the Honors Concert Choir, Honors Band, and Honors Orchestra (format TBD). Applicants are first accepted into the program and are then assigned to the appropriate ensemble based upon instrumentation and balance requirements (the Series cannot guarantee that, if accepted, applicants are placed into a specific ensemble).

The Honors Performance Series is coordinated by WorldStrides OnStage (formerly WorldStrides Heritage Performance). For more than three decades, WorldStrides has strived to promote excellence among choirs, bands, and orchestras by providing outstanding educational and performance opportunities for accomplished student performers across the world. They are proud to support the Honors Performance Series as yet another unique educational and performance opportunity for talented instrumentalists and singers.

Each applicant must electronically submit an audio-only MP3 or M4A audition recording. Please visit the application page for additional information.

In order to provide a safe and structured experience, all Finalists are assigned a program Chaperone. The Series invites music teachers, most of whom have nominated students for the program and all of whom have demonstrated expertise working with high school musicians, to apply for selection as program Chaperones. All Chaperone applicants undergo a background check prior to selection and are trained on the Series safety policies and procedures. Prior to the program, Finalists and their families will receive a biography of their Chaperone and will have the opportunity to communicate with them before arriving in Vienna.

All ground transportation, including shuttling between the designated airport and hotels once in Vienna, is included (for registered participants of the program only). Transportation to and from Vienna is the responsibility of each participant. Because this is a selective program, we encourage you to refrain from booking airline tickets or other travel arrangements until you have received both your acceptance and the specified arrival/departure times and locations.

Finalists and Family Program participants are given a window of time at a specific Vienna airport during which included transportation to and from the hotel will be provided. Participants should book their flight arrival and departure times to coincide with these periods in order to meet up with program representatives at the airport and take advantage of this included service. Participants arriving or departing outside of these windows will be responsible for arranging their own transportation to or from the assigned hotel.

Participants arriving into a different airport than the one assigned, by train, or by car should proceed directly to the official program hotel for registration (details will be provided to Finalists following their selection).

No, selected Finalists are responsible for purchasing their own meals during the program. At meal times, students are escorted by their Chaperones in small groups to nearby restaurants. The Series team advises Chaperones as to meal options that are suitable and affordable. We generally suggest Finalists plan to spend $30-50 US per day on meals.

The Honors Performance Series is dedicated to bringing together talented student performers across the world.  Need-based partial scholarships are available to ensure that performers from all economic backgrounds are able to experience this unique performance honor at the Musikverein.  Please call us at +1 (800) 503-0807 for more information.

For safety reasons, we do not share the name of our Honors hotel(s) except to accepted Finalists and the Responsible Parties listed on their accounts. All of our hotels are nationally recognized, and each hotel has been chosen for its cleanliness, hospitality, and safe location. Our hotels are student friendly and have been rated highly by students and families who have participated in our programs.

To ensure a positive experience for all Finalists, participants are required to sign a behavior contract before participating in the Honors Performance Series. Finalists who do not follow these guidelines can be removed from the program and will be sent home at the family's expense.

Yes, the Program & Travel Protection Plan is an optional policy designed exclusively for Finalists and Family Program participants. This policy is offered to protect the investment of Finalists and their families. Complete details about the policy will be shared to selected Finalists with their acceptance materials.

Please make checks payable to the Honors Performance Series. For faster processing, checks should be mailed to the Honors Performance Series at P.O. Box 6276, Charlottesville, VA 22906-6275. Once received, checks sent to our New York address may take an additional 1-2 weeks to process.

Requesting donations is easy with our Gift of Performance e-cards. Those closest to you will enjoy their special e-greeting and the opportunity to be a part of your unforgettable experience! Click here to send e-cards to all of your family and friends! Many Finalists have accumulated donations in excess of $1,500 through this fundraiser alone!