Chicago Festival of Gold | Perform at Orchestra Hall with WorldStrides

UNITED STATES

Chicago Festival of Gold

Perform at the Chicago Festival of Gold! Step into this astonishing cultural city as a choral, band or orchestral performer on the stage at the renowned Orchestra Hall at the Chicago Symphony Center. Groups enjoy clinics, festival performance feedback, and an encore concert. Then spend your free time enjoying the museums, Willis Tower, Navy Pier, the Shedd Aquarium, theatres, and all the shopping and dining experiences that Chicago has to offer!
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Illinois

DATES

04/12/2025 to 04/15/2025

The Festival of Gold is a truly unique event—a festival, clinic, and prestigious performance—all wrapped into one premier event. Every Festival of Gold package includes: 

  • Extensive one-on-one time with outstanding, internationally known clinicians
  • Formal festival performance and adjudication
  • Encore Concert at prestigious venue
  • Honor Ensemble distinctions
  • One free base travel package for every 25 packages purchased
  • WorldStrides approved, student-friendly hotel accommodations
  • Digital audio recording of performance and Encore Concert
  • Commemorative program
  • Digitally recorded adjudicator comments
  • The largest and most comprehensive insurance policy in the student travel field

Your adventure, day by day

Day 1 : Welcome to Chicago!
Arrive in Chicago

Arrive in Chicago and check-in to hotel.

Rehearsals

In the evening, Festival Ensembles will break out into separate rehearsals.

Day 2 : Clinics and Rehearsals
Morning rehearsals

Festival Ensembles will have morning rehearsals at your host hotel.

Individual Ensemble Clinics

Throughout the day, adjudicators will hold 60-75 minute clinics for each group. Clinics will run on a set schedule (provided to you prior to the event).

Sightseeing During Off-Time

Spend your evening free in Chicago. Our expert Destination Specialist can book a group dinner, a show, and more for you and your ensemble at your request.

Day 3 : Festival Performances and Encore Concert at Orchestra Hall
Festival Performances

Each group will take the stage for their festival performances in Orchestra Hall. A schedule of these performances will be provided to you prior to travel.

Encore Concert

In the evening, our groups host the Encore Concert at Orchestra Hall. This culminating concert gives all ensembles center-stage for the performance of a lifetime, plus top-scoring festival ensembles the chance to shine.

Day 4 : Goodbye, Chicago!
Depart for Home

Depart for home, or choose to stay in Chicago for as long as you like. Your Account Manager can book sightseeing tours, meals, and extra arrangements as needed.

Free Download: Elite Performing Series Catalog

Free Download: Elite Performing Series Catalog

Music Directors, learn how exciting and rewarding it is to earn an invitation to perform on America's greatest stages! You'll learn more about our organization, get a sneak peek of what it's like to attend an elite event, explore our director rewards, and more.

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