Fox Lane High School Chamber Orchestra Selected for American String Teacher Association National Orchestra Festival

The Fox Lane High School Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Janine Bergamini, has been selected to perform at the 2026 American String Teachers Association (ASTA) National Orchestra Festival (NOF). Only 15 ensembles from across the country are invited to perform at this festival. It is a distinguished honor that acknowledges the orchestra’s excellence and the strength of Bedford Central School District's music programs.

“Being chosen for NOF was possible due to the foundation of talent and dedication of our students for a long period of time; many of the FLHS Orchestra Alumni have aided this opportunity to our current students,” said Bergamini, Director of Orchestras at Fox Lane High School. “After having the opportunity to present at ASTA’s National Conference in Atlanta in 2025 and being immersed in this truly unique and enriching festival experience, I was determined to seek the opportunity for my students to participate in NOF.”

ASTA’s national festival is one of the country’s most prestigious events in music education, inviting ensembles of the highest caliber to perform, receive ratings and comments, and compete for national recognition. Orchestras from across the country submit applications, including prior competitions and assessments, educational-leader recommendations supporting directors' track records, and live-performance recordings.

Fox Lane Chamber Orchestra students are no novices when it comes to big performances, having played in a variety of local and statewide competitions.

“It’s hard to put into words just how amazing the orchestra program is at Fox Lane,” junior violinist Hades Laskaris said. “It has allowed me to experience the thrill of performance as well as the opportunity to meet some incredible people.”

Held annually in conjunction with the ASTA National Conference, NOF offers ensembles the chance to perform for a live audience and receive feedback from nationally recognized adjudicators. Each group also participates in a workshop with renowned clinicians, enriching the learning experience for both students and directors.

The festival, which takes place in February 2026, will provide Fox Lane students with an invaluable educational experience alongside some of the nation’s finest ensembles. In addition to their festival performance, Fox Lane’s Chamber Orchestra students will participate in the ASTA National Conference offerings, which include master classes, concerts, exhibits, and networking opportunities.

For a program that students already find enriching, this event is sure to level up their experience.

“The orchestra program has given me a community within the school, and an environment in which we all have common goals and desires,” junior violinist Isabella Zapsky said. “Because of the chamber orchestra, I have had opportunities I would not have been able to have otherwise, and friends I might not have ever met.”