2026 AVS Festival

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2026 American Viola Society Festival
June 3-6, 2026

James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

Host: Diane Phoenix-Neal
Coordinator: Christina Ebersohl-Van Scyoc

Call for Proposals

The American Viola Society (AVS) invites proposals for performances and presentations for the 2026 American Viola Society Festival. This Festival will be held at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA, hosted by Diane Phoenix-Neal. We welcome proposals relating to any subject of interest to the viola community. Recognizing the diversity of backgrounds and interests within the viola world, we encourage proposals relating to performance, repertoire, composition, alternative styles, lutherie, pedagogy, research, health and wellness, entrepreneurship, and collaborative projects. 

The Festival will invite a select number of individuals to present performances and masterclasses; all other events will be programmed exclusively by selection through this proposal process.

Important Links

2026proposals@americanviolasociety.org

Important Terms for Presenters and Performers

Anyone is welcome to submit a proposal to present or perform.

  • It is possible to submit multiple proposals, including within the same category.
  • Accepted presenters and performers must be members in good standing of the AVS at the time of submission and presentation at the Festival.
  • Collaborative and/or interdisciplinary projects are especially encouraged.

The AVS does not provide any financial support (travel, performance fee, housing, per diem, or registration discount) to accepted presenters. 

By submitting a proposal, an individual or group is agreeing to be available any time between June 3 and June 6, 2026. We are unable to accommodate requests to be programmed on a specific date. Performers who require a pianist may either bring their own or may hire a local pianist from a list the AVS will provide; the AVS is unable to provide rehearsal or performance fees. The AVS and its university host are able to accept and consider proposals including percussion and harpsichord. Should a proposal be selected that requires additional instrumentation ( harp, flute, etc..), it is the responsibility of the presenter to pay for and schedule the additional performer and their instrument. The AVS is unable to provide additional instruments or performers. Further, the AVS will provide rehearsal space but cannot guarantee rehearsal time in actual performance spaces due to the complexity of the Festival schedule. 

All proposals will be evaluated by the Proposal Selection Committee, which includes international representatives.

Please contact Anthony Devroye, Proposal Selection Committee Coordinator, at 2026proposals@americanviolasociety.org with any questions about the proposal submission process.

Deadline for Submission

All submissions must be received via the online proposal form by August 15, 2025. All applicants will be notified by September 15, 2025, regarding the status of their proposal.

Proposal Requirements

Proposals should fall into one of the formats outlined below. Please contact the Proposal Selection Committee Coordinator by August 8, 2025, if you are unclear which format best matches your proposal or you wish to propose an event in a special format.

All submitted materials must include names, presentation titles, and complete program information. If selected, this information will be used in the official program materials.

Performance & Presentation Formats

Shared Recital
An individual or chamber ensemble may propose to perform for a maximum of 30 minutes on a shared recital. Any repertoire or musical style is eligible; preference is given to lesser-known music and underrepresented composers.

Group Recital
A group of violists (two or more) may propose a full program (60 to 75 minutes’ duration). Any repertoire or musical style is eligible. Preference is given to recitals on a related theme (i.e. Works by Underrepresented Composers, Jazz Improvisation, Chamber Music for Viola and Brass, etc.).

Lecture Recital
One or more individuals may propose to present a lecture recital on any aspect of the viola, violists, viola technique, or viola repertoire. This 50-minute lecture recital session must be divided approximately into a 20-minute lecture, 20-minute performance, and 10-minute Q&A session. Any repertoire or musical style is eligible; preference is given to lesser-known music and underrepresented composers. 

Lecture
One or more individuals may propose to present a lecture on any aspect of the viola, violists, viola technique, viola repertoire, viola pedagogy, composing for viola, alternative styles, lutherie, health and wellness, entrepreneurship, and/or collaborative projects. This is not a performance category. Proposed sessions may be either a 50-minute full-lecture session divided approximately into a 40-minute lecture plus 10-minute Q&A, or a 25-minute half-lecture session divided into a 20-minute lecture plus 5-minute Q&A.

Workshop
One or more individuals may propose a workshop involving audience participation of some kind (e.g., body awareness, effective practicing, technical topics, etc.). 40 minutes plus 10-minute Q&A.

Panel
One or more individuals may propose a panel discussion involving at least three panelists with expertise on the panel’s subject. 70 minutes plus 20-minute Q&A. 

Special Opportunities for Early-Career Violists

As part of our commitment to supporting the next generation of violists, we extend the following opportunities to emerging violists under the age of 35 as of June 3, 2026. Applicants in these categories will be required to upload a picture of a government-issued identification to verify their age.

Emerging Artists Recital
One shared recital will be reserved for emerging artists under the age of 35 as of June 3, 2026. Individuals or small chamber ensembles may propose to perform (up to 25 minutes). Violists under 35 who would like to be considered for this honor should apply under this category, rather than through the shared recital category above. (The application requirements are identical, and applicants for the Emerging Artists Recital will automatically be considered for the shared recital.) Applicants must include a letter of recommendation from an individual familiar with their playing.

Emerging Teachers Masterclass
One or more early-career viola teachers will be selected to teach a masterclass for young violists and/or amateur violists. To be eligible, an applicant must be either (1) a violist under the age of 35 with significant teaching experience at the pre-college level, or (2) a college-level viola professor of any title or rank (no age requirement, but preference will be given to non-tenured faculty). Applicants must include a letter of recommendation from an individual familiar with their teaching.

Emerging Researchers Lecture
One or more early-career scholars will be selected to present a lecture on the viola, violists, viola technique, viola repertoire, viola pedagogy, composing for viola, alternative styles, lutherie, health and wellness, entrepreneurship, and/or collaborative projects. The proposed session will be divided into a lecture of up to 40-minutes followed by a 10-minute Q&A. Applicants must include a letter of recommendation from an individual familiar with their research.