Students

Students, you’re invited to attend the League of American Orchestras’ 2026 National Conference!

Founded in 1942, the League of American Orchestras champions the vitality of music and the orchestral experience, supports the orchestra community, and leads change boldly. At the League’s National Conference, professionals working in the industry will connect with each other, share best practices, celebrate the field’s accomplishments, and dream for the future of orchestras. Attending this event will directly support your journey towards a career with orchestras!

When you attend Conference as a student member of the League, you’ll get:

• FREE early-bird registration*

• Access to all the general sessions

• Opportunities to meet and connect with professionals

• Student-only sessions created especially for those looking to work in the orchestral field

• FREE tickets to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Concert on June 2, 2026

*Free registration is limited and first-come, first-served until April 16, 2026. After we run out of free registrations, students can attend at the deeply discounted rate of $265.

Before you begin registering for Conference, be sure you have a student verification document uploaded and ready.  Acceptable documents include:

• Most recent semester class schedule

• Photo of degree/diploma certificate (dated June 2025 or later)

• Enrollment form/letter from your school

• Student ID card (if dated)

Only current students or recent graduates (those that graduated up to one year before June 1, 2026) may register for Conference as a student. Students can attend Conference sessions open to all delegates, but during constituency meeting time can only attend student constituency closed door meetings.

To help offset the cost of spending three days investing in your emerging career and professional network development by attending the League’s National Conference, the League encourages students to seek out funding offered by their school for attending conferences. Funding sources within your academic institution may include:

• Academic departmental funds

• Financial aid office

• School career or professional development center

• Student associations, clubs, and centers

• Faculty advisor funds

School offered professional development grants and scholarships are often competitive and funds are limited, so the League encourages you to apply as early as possible in your Conference planning process. Students from California can apply for CCI’s quick grants program, which covers up to $600 for professional development opportunities.

Any student who is under 18 years old must be accompanied by an adult chaperone over the age of 21 all times. Please note that alcohol consumption by minors is strictly prohibited.

Student programming and free registrations are made possible thanks to generous grants from The Clinton Family Fund and The Julian Family Foundation.