New York Invitational Music Festival

The New York Invitational Music Festival was established to offer young musicians a chance to perform on the world's greatest stage, Carnegie Hall, specifically the Isaac Stern Auditorium / Ronald O. Perelman Stage. This music festival for students is designed to enhance their performance ability through master classes led by nationally recognized clinicians while providing insights into the musical prowess of professional musicians. Young musicians will have the opportunity to connect with other talented individuals from across the United States and even from around the world!

Each ensemble enjoys its own Carnegie Hall performance, showcasing the repertoire of their choice. Additionally, the festival includes a one-hour clinic with one of our esteemed clinicians, a sound check on stage at Carnegie Hall, an archival recording of their performance, as well as souvenir gifts, awards, and much more, all part of this enriching musical education program.

Artistic Director Terry Austin is Professor Emeritus and VCU Distinguished Career Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University. Under his guidance, the Virginia Commonwealth University Symphonic Wind Ensemble has gained a reputation for musical excellence, earning invitations to perform at prestigious events such as the American Bandmasters Association, MENC, the College Band Directors National Association, and the Virginia Music Educators Association.

An active guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator, Dr. Austin has contributed to numerous journals and serves as the general editor of The Journal of Band Research, A Repertoire Anthology (1964-1989) published by GIA. He regularly guest conducts the Musashino Academia Musicae Wind Ensemble and holds the position of Guest Professor at the Center of General Education of Guangdong University of Technology in Guangzhou, China. In 2018, he was appointed Interim Chair of the Department of Music at VCU.