The Hershey Symphony has announced that its youth orchestra, Festival Strings, will return to its full-year format this month for the first time since 2020.

New director Andrew Kurtz, who is also an orchestra teacher in the Palmyra Area School District, says that this is an excellent playing opportunity for young string musicians looking for a challenge beyond their school ensembles. "There will be a variety of music that exposes students to a mix of styles and techniques that they can bring back to their own ensembles," he said. "I'm very excited to being working with everyone and making incredible music."

Violin, viola, cello and bass players in grades six through nine who have some mastery of their instrument are invited to join the group without audition, provided they have a recommendation from their school director or private music teacher. Details on the skills required can be found at http://www.HersheySymphony.org under "Hershey Symphony Festival Strings." There are also select openings for students in grades 10 through 12 to serve as rehearsal assistants.

In addition to performing its own concert on Thursday, Nov. 16, Festival Strings will share the stage with the Hershey Symphony on Friday, April 26, 2024, in the concert "Treasured and Timeless," to be held at the Hershey Theatre.

Hershey Symphony executive director Susan Cort is pleased that Festival Strings is back to its full-year format. "We in the symphony know that these young musicians are the future of orchestral music," she stated. "Nurturing the next generation and helping them to grow in their abilities and their love for the art form is a big part of our purpose."

There is a fee to participate in the program, due by the end of September. There is no fee for rehearsal assistants. Registration forms are available on the Festival Strings page under the Outreach tab at http://www.hersheysymphony.org, or they can be requested by emailing Kurtz at andrew.kurtz@hersheysymphony.org.