Schedule At-A-Glance

Wednesday, February 25

10:30 AM-8:00 PM: Registration, Golden Gate Lobby

12:00-5:00 PM: Pre-Conference Workshops ($)

See below for additional session and registration information.

3:00-5:30 PM: Educational Sessions – Arriving in San Francisco too late to join a Pre-Conference Workshop, but ready to dive into the conference? We will have two blocks of sessions to get you jump-started!

6:00-8:00 PM: Visit with the Intersectional Affinity Group Facilitators during each of the Wednesday evening events, East Lounge

6:00-7:00 PM: Newcomer’s Welcome, East Lounge

7:00-8:00 PM: Welcome Reception – featuring the ASTA National Teachers Orchestra (see Pre-Conference Workshops to register and participate!), East Lounge

8:00-9:00 PM: University & College Student Mixer, Plaza Room A

Thursday, February 26

7:00 AM-9:00 PM: Registration, Golden Gate Lobby

8:00-9:30 AM: Opening Ceremony with Keynote Alex Laing from Gateways Music Festival, Continental Ballroom

10:00 AM-6:00 PM: Educational Sessions, Music Industry Sessions, Music Showcases, Invited Ensemble Performances, and Committee Roundtables

• 12:30-4:30 PM: Eclectic Styles Mini Jams, Union Square 9

11:00 AM-12:30 PM: Exhibit Hall Grand Opening, Grand Ballroom

11:00-7:00 PM: Exhibits Open, Grand Ballroom

5:00-6:00 PM: Jam Session with Martha Mooke, Plaza Room A

6:30-7:30 PM: Intersectional Affinity Groups, Union Square 3-4

7:00-8:00 PM: Evening Concert featuring Quartet San Francisco opened by the SAA Brass Ensemble, Continental Ballroom

8:30-9:30 PM: Evening Concert featuring Quartet San Francisco opened by the SAA Flute Ensemble, Continental Ballroom

Friday, February 27

7:00 AM-9:00 PM: Registration, Golden Gate Lobby

8:00-9:30 AM: Morning Keynote featuring Tina Tallon, Assistant Professor of Artificial Intelligence and Music Composition at The Ohio State University and featuring music performances by the SAA Early Music and Viola Ensembles, Continental Ballroom

9:00 AM-7:00 PM: National Orchestra Festival Performances and Clinics, Continental Ballroom, Yosemite Rooms, Imperial Ballroom, Franciscan Rooms

9:30 AM-6:30 PM: Exhibits Open, Grand Ballroom

10:00 AM-4:30 PM: Educational Sessions, Music Industry Sessions, Music Showcases, Invited Ensemble Performances, and Committee Roundtables

• 12:30-4:30 PM: Wellness Lounge, Union Square 9
• 4:30-6:00 PM: String Research Poster Presentations, Grand Ballroom

11:00-12:30 PM: Exhibit Hall Mix & Mingle, Grand Ballroom

5:00-6:00 PM: Intersectional Affinity Groups, Union Square 3-4

5:30-6:45 PM: SAA & ASTA Celebration, East Lounge

7:00-8:00 PM: Evening Concert featuring Gateways Chamber Players opened by the SAA Violin Ensemble, Continental Ballroom

8:30-9:30 PM: Evening Concert featuring Gateways Chamber Players opened by the SAA Cello Choir, Continental Ballroom

9:30-10:30 PM: Jam Session with Duane Padilla, Plaza Room A

9:30-10:30 PM: NOF Winners Announcement & Mixer, Continental Ballroom & East Lounge

Saturday, February 28

7:00 AM-2:00 PM: Registration, Golden Gate Lobby

8:00-9:30 AM: Closing Ceremony with Keynote Alice Hammel, Disabilities Specialist and featuring performances by the SAA Bass Ensemble and the NOF Grand Champions, Continental Ballroom

8:00 AM-3:00 PM: SAA & ASTA Student Day (NOF Grand Champions Performance, Visit the Exhibits, & Sessions with Gateways Chamber Ensemble), Continental Ballroom

9:00 AM-4:00 PM: National Orchestra Festival Performances and Clinics, Continental Ballroom, Yosemite Rooms, Imperial Ballroom, Franciscan Rooms

9:30 AM-1:00 PM: Exhibits Open, Grand Ballroom

10:00 AM-3:30 PM: Educational Sessions, Music Industry Sessions, Music Showcases, Invited Ensemble Performances, and Committee Roundtables

• 11:30 AM-1:00 PM: Idea Exchange Poster Presentations, Grand Ballroom

Pre-Conference Workshops ($)

We have VERY EXCITING Pre-Conference Workshop options for 2026 National Conference attendees!

Wednesday, February 25, 12:00 – 5:00 PM PT

SAA offerings

• Best Practices for Online Teaching – Carrie Salisbury
• Business Development and Leadership – Eric Branner
• Every Child Can! – Charles Krigbaum (open to all!)

ASTA offerings

• Experience Feldenkrais – A Whole Person Approach to Playing – Colin Pip Dixon
• How Do We Teach Students with Differences and Disabilities in Music Settings? – Alice Hammel
• Multi-Instrument Mastery: Building Confidence Playing and Teaching Every Instrument – Grace Law
• National Teachers Orchestra – Helen Cha-Pyo
• The Soul Orchestra Experience: Learning Black Music Through Performance – Darcy Ford-James, Jelani Brown, & Shane Kalbach