National Orchestral Institute

NOI+F Conducting Fellows work alongside Music Director Marin Alsop and the festival's guest conductors to hone their skills as conductors. As part of the festival, each fellow will assist with rehearsals, receive weekly conducting lab podium time and podium time with the full orchestra for each week’s program. Additionally, conducting fellows will lead the premieres of works by the composition academy fellows, as well as leading select family and community concerts throughout the month. Read more about our available fellowships at our website.

Looking for some inspiration? Take a look at our 2019 album ‘Bernstein, Gershwin, and & Copland: Works’ led by James Judd! Stream below.

https://open.spotify.com/album/1HcflSQvK3fcpwK9oLocBu?si=BdhmdNHlSjiUD4tG5xBaqg

Apply to our NOI Orchestral Fellowship this fall! Develop your artistry through intensive orchestral training through masterclasses, sectionals and mentorship with NOI+F faculty, while performing with the Grammy-nominated NOI Philharmonic. Orchestral fellows develop essential ensemble skills through exhilarating performances and participate in a unique self-led orchestra project, where they collaboratively create their own interpretation of symphonic repertoire. More specific program information, application requirements and key dates for our 2027 festival will be announced soon. Read more about our available fellowships at our website.

Do you miss listening to the NOI+F Philharmonic every week as much as we do? Reminder— you can stream some of your favorite NOI+F concert performances! Relive those fond musical memories by tuning in on any streaming platform.
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Apply to our NOI Composition Fellowship this fall! Composition fellows receive individual mentorship from NOI+F composition faculty members and benefit from seminars, intensive score study, masterclasses, community engagements and a short commission for sinfonietta to be premiered at the 2027 festival. Read more about our available fellowships at our website.

Looking for some inspiration this Monday? Take a look at our 2017 Grammy-nominated album ‘Harbison, Ruggles, and Stucky: Orchestral Works’ led by longtime friend of NOI+F David Alan Miller! Stream below.

→ https://open.spotify.com/album/2kib0F6FdDr0vh96mRINhg?si=ZwQ7MrEQSdineVxkL5LcYA

Founded in 2024 by conductor Kenneth Slowik, the Smithsonian Academy Orchestra is a resident ensemble of the Smithsonian Chamber Music Society, a program of the National Museum of American History. The Orchestra’s repertoire ranges from Bach to Schoenberg, all performed on period-appropriate instruments. In this prelude to the 2026 National Orchestral Institute + Festival, Maestro Slowik led SAO and NOI+F Smithsonian Academy fellows in Franz Joseph Haydn’s “Military” symphony and Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony.

Join us in looking back at a few favorite moments from the final concert of NOI+F 2026. After weeks of rehearsals, coachings and performances, the festival came to a close with an inspiring finale featuring music of renewal led by Wichita Symphony Music Director Daniel Hege. Thanks to all the remarkable musicians, faculty and community that made this year’s festival so memorable!

This summer at NOI+F 2026, guest conductor Valentina Peleggi led fellows through an insightful conducting laboratory as part of her time with NOI+F. Take a look back at some photos from one of the many opportunities for fellows to develop their craft throughout the festival.

Today we’re looking back at an unforgettable start to NOI+F 2026! Longtime collaborator John Morris Russell kicked off the festival with orchestral overtures from across centuries and continents.