Instrumental Music Scholars Education Program

Program Highlights

Perform with 2026 Grammy-nominated pianist, Han Chen

Perform the PA premiere and only fourth performance in this Country of Franz Liszt's Missa Solemnis

Open to rising Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors (Fall of 2026)
Open to players in all string sections
Highly Selective:
- 2-3 players chosen per section
Minimal Rehearsal Time:
- 3-4 rehearsals on Thursday evenings, per concert (no weekly rehearsals)
Opportunity to perform side-by-side with adult players
Opportunity to play advanced orchestral music
All performances in Montgomery County
3 Concerts a year
All players receive a stipend at the end of the concert season
Previous Scholars have had the opportunity to perform with David Kim, Concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra, and performed world and regional premieres by Rollo Dilworth, Melissa Dunphy, Jocelyn Hagen, Erik Myer, and Ajibola Rivers

Major Scales: Perform major scales up to 4 flats and 4 sharps (3 octaves).

Repertoire: Play two contrasting movements of a concerto or sonata. One piece should be a technical movement and one slower or melodic movement.

Sight-Reading: You will be asked to sight-read a piece, up to 15 measures.

CLICK HERE to register

Application Deadline: June 8th

Once your application is accepted, you will receive an email to schedule your audition time.

Auditions will be held virtually and will be scheduled with the applicants.

If accepted into the program, players will be REQUIRED to attend all rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and concerts.

2026-2027 Concert Season:

Brilliance in Motion: Piano Meets Symphony

Sunday, October 18, 2026 - 3:00 p.m.

Han Chen, 2026 Grammy-Nominated Pianist, MCCO Orchestra

Florence Price - Piano Concerto in One Movement

Beethoven - Piano Concerto No.1

Trinity Lutheran Church

*Tentative rehearsal schedule: Thursday, September 24, October 1,8,15, 7:00pm - 9:00pm - Wissahickon Middle School

Dress Rehearsal: Saturday, October 17: 9:00am-12:00pm - Trinity Lutheran Church

Festival of Carols

Saturday, December 5, 2026 - 3:00 p.m.

Sunday, December 6, 2026 - 3:00 p.m.

MCCO Chorale and Orchestra

*Tentative rehearsal schedule: Thursday, November 12,19, 7:00pm - 9:00pm - Wissahickon Middle School

*Tuesday December 1 - Trinity Lutheran Church: 7:00pm - 8:30pm

Dress Rehearsal: Friday, December 4: 7:00pm - 9:30pm- Trinity Lutheran Church

Majestic Mass

Sunday, April 11, 2027 - 3:00 p.m.

MCCO Chorale and Orchestra

Franz Liszt's Missa Solemnis

*Tentative rehearsal schedule: Thursday, March 18, April 1,8 , 7:00pm - 9:00pm - Wissahickon Middle School

Dress Rehearsal: Saturday, April 10: 9:00am-12:00pm - Trinity Lutheran Church

All Concerts will be held at: Trinity Lutheran Church, 1000 W. Main St, Lansdale, PA 19446

*Rehearsal dates are subject to change