Aerial view of campus with Williamsport, the Susquehanna River and Bald Eagle Mountain as a backdrop

String Day

One day. One orchestra. Play at a whole new level.

String Day at Lycoming College brings high school string players of all levels together with college students and professionals for a full day of intensive rehearsal, mentorship, and live performance — at no cost.

Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026
Trachte Music Center

Register Now

If you previously registered without a placement video and wish to submit one, please email the video link to vaida@lycoming.edu.

Showcase and Orchestra Rehearsals

Kick off the day with a live performance by Lycoming College faculty and students, then head into rehearsals playing alongside Lycoming College students and professional faculty, sharpening your technique.

Lunch and Industry Spotlight

Step back, recharge, and hear from musicians working in the field. The midday break includes an industry spotlight by J. R. Judd Violins.

PMEA Orchestra Audition Workshop

The afternoon features a workshop focused on PMEA auditions techniques, performance strategy, and the specifics of what judges look for. Walk in with your audition excerpt. Leave with a plan.

Afternoon concert

The day ends on stage. The String Day Festival Orchestra performs alongside the Lycoming Community Orchestra in an informal afternoon concert — a real performance for a real audience, not a run-through.

Meet the faculty

Schedule

Time Event

8:30 – 8:50 AM

Arrival and Registration

9:00 – 9:30 AM

Lycoming Faculty and Student Showcase Concert

9:45 – 11:50 AM

Festival String Orchestra — Rehearsal 1

12:00 – 1:30 PM

Lunch and Industry Spotlight with J.R. Judd

1:30 – 2:45 PM

Festival String Orchestra — Rehearsal 2

3:00 – 3:50 PM

PMEA Audition Workshop

4:00 PM

Afternoon Concert — String Day Festival Orchestra and Lycoming Community Orchestra

Frequently asked questions

Who can participate in String Day?

String Day is open to high school string musicians who play either the violin, viola, cello, or bass. No audition is required to register, and all levels of expertise are welcome.

What will we perform?

The String Day Festival Orchestra performs music by Piazzolla and Grieg.

Do I need to prepare anything in advance?

If you plan to audition for PMEA orchestra, bring your current audition solo or excerpt. Otherwise, just bring your instrument. Music and lunch will be provided.

Is there a dress code for student participants?

String Day is designed to be a fun, collaborative, and comfortable experience. Please dress in neat, casual attire that allows you to move comfortably while rehearsing and performing.

Because we will perform on stage and take group photos throughout the day, we ask that students choose clothing that is presentable and appropriate for a concert setting.

Appropriate attire includes:

  • Jeans or casual pants in good condition (please no rips or tears)
  • Khakis, chinos, or casual skirts/dresses
  • Polo shirts, button-down shirts, blouses, sweaters, or solid-color T-shirts
  • Comfortable, closed-toe shoes or clean sneakers

Please avoid wearing clothing with offensive or inappropriate language or graphics, pajamas, or slippers.

Register Now

Thank you to our sponsor, J. R. Judd Violins

J.R. Judd Violins Logo

Matthew A. Radspinner

Matthew A. Radspinner

Matthew A. Radspinner is an orchestra director, conductor, string educator, and performer based in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. He serves as Orchestra Director and K–12 Music Department Chair for the Williamsport Area School District, where he leads a comprehensive string program and conducts multiple curricular ensembles. Under his direction, his orchestras have earned consistent regional and state recognition, including three invitations to perform at the PMEA State Conference.

Mr. Radspinner has extensive experience as a conductor and clinician at the district, regional, and state levels. He served as Conductor of the Williamsport Symphony Youth Orchestra from 2015 to 2022 and has been invited to guest conduct honors ensembles throughout Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New York, Virginia, and Massachusetts. He has also served as guest conductor for the West Virginia All-State Junior High School Orchestra. He is widely recognized for his ability to connect with student musicians and achieve high levels of musical excellence in honor ensemble settings.

In addition to his public school teaching, Mr. Radspinner has been on the faculty of The Ohio State University String Teacher Workshop since 2011, where he teaches courses in string pedagogy, heterogeneous string instruction, and double bass methods. His previous collegiate teaching appointments include Lycoming College, Susquehanna University, and Bucknell University.

An active presenter and author, Mr. Radspinner has contributed to Teaching Music Through Performance in Orchestra (GIA Publications) and regularly presents at state, regional, and national conferences, including PMEA, ASTA, and the Midwest Clinic. He is a past president of the Pennsylvania Delaware String Teachers Association and a two-time recipient of its Teacher of the Year Award.

As a performer, he maintains an active career as a double bassist. He is a longtime member of the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra, a founding member of the Williamsport City Jazz Orchestra, and a frequent freelance performer across a wide range of musical styles.

Carolina Roy

Carolina Roy

Carolina Roy is the orchestra director at Lycoming Valley Intermediate School in the Williamsport Area School District, where she teaches violin, viola, cello, and bass to fourth through sixth grade students. Carolina is also a member of the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra as a section cellist and teaches cello as an adjunct professor at Lycoming College. 

Carolina is a graduate of Duquesne University with a B.S. in Music Education. At Duquesne, she studied under Pittsburgh Symphony cellist Adam Liu and as a junior, Carolina won the Duquesne University Women’s Advisory Board Scholarship Competition with her rendition of Max Bruch’s Kol Nidrei.

A native Rhode Islander, Carolina had the honor of sitting principal cellist three times in the Rhode Island All State Orchestra, earning a spot in the orchestra a total of five times. She was also the winner of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Youth Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition in 2020. 

Carolina has played in many orchestras, pit orchestras, and chamber ensembles throughout her career and loves playing the cello. She also teaches private cello lessons and many of her middle and high school cello students have advanced to RIMEA’s All State Orchestra and PMEA’s Central Region Orchestra.