Dates
  • 04/20/2018 to
    04/24/2018
2017 Adjudicators
Choral: Dr. Anton Armstrong & Dr. Craig JessopInstrumental: Gary Hill & Dr. Andrew Dabczynski
Local Conditions
73℉ Current Temp
Current Time

Meet Your Clinicians

Choral Clinicians: 

Craig Jessop is an American academic, musician, and singer best known for his tenure as the music director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir from 1999 to 2008. He presently serves as the Dean of Caine College of Arts at Utah State University.

Anton Armstrong, Tosdal Professor of Music at St. Olaf College, became the fourth conductor of the St. Olaf Choir in 1990 after ten years in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he served on the faculty of Calvin College and led the Calvin College Alumni Choir, the Grand Rapids Symphony Chorus, and the St. Cecilia Youth Chorale.

Instrumental Clinicians:

Gary Hill is Professor of Music and Director of Ensembles at Arizona State University where he conducts, teaches graduate conducting, and founded the Digital Conducting Laboratory.

Andrew Dabczynski is Professor of Music Education at Brigham Young University and co-author of the widely acclaimed comprehensive string method series, String Explorer, published by Alfred Publishing Co.

Package Inclusions

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

Drums Band Student Festival Rehearsal

Festival of Gold Encore Series

Songs of Thanks, a concert honoring the America veterans of the Vietnam War

WorldStrides OnStage is proud to support The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration with a series of concerts in premier venues across the country. Join us for an evening to remember as we honor the Vietnam Veterans with an encore concert performance at our Festival of Gold. Admission is free to all.

Concert Schedule

Orchestra Hall, Chicago Symphony Center
Chicago, IL
March 20, 8:00 PM
Renee & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
Costa Mesa, CA
March 27, 8:00 PM
Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall
San Francisco, CA
April 10, 8:00 PM
Schermerhorn Symphony Center
Nashville, TN
April 24, 8:00 PM


Click Here for more information

Sample Itinerary

Day 1 Welcome to L.A.!
  • Arrive in L.A. Arrive in Los Angeles and check in to hotel.
  • Keynote Address This evening, join our adjudicators and staff for the Keynote Address, followed by opening rehearsals at your host hotel.
  • First Honor Ensemble Rehearsal It's time for your first rehearsal! Ensembles will break out into separate rehearsal rooms for practice with their group.
Day 2 Clinics and Rehearsals
  • Honor Ensemble Rehearsals Honor 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 Los Angeles. Our expert Destination Specialist can book a group dinner, a show, and more for you and your ensemble at your request.
Day 3 Clinics and Time to Explore Los Angeles
  • Individual Ensemble Clinics Rehearsals and individual ensemble clinics will run on a set schedule (provided to you prior to the event) throughout the day at your host hotel.
  • Sightseeing during off-time Spend your evening free in Los Angeles. Our expert Destination Specialist can book a group dinner, a show, and more for you and your ensemble at your request.
Day 4 Festival Performances and Encore Concert at Segerstrom Concert Hall
  • Festival Performances Each group will take the stage for their festival performances in Henry and Renee Segerstrom Concert Hall. A schedule of these performances will be provided to you prior to travel. A short Honor Ensemble rehearsal will take place prior to the Encore Concert.
  • Encore Concert This evening, our groups host the Encore Concert at Henry and Renee Segerstrom Concert Hall. This culminating concert gives our all ensembles center stage for the performance of a lifetime.
Day 5 Goodbye, Los Angeles!
  • Depart for Home Depart for home, or choose to stay in L.A. for as long as you like. Our Destination Specialist can book sightseeing tours, meals, and extra arrangements as needed.

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