Get Excited for the 2026 Northeast Instrumental Music Festival November 19-22, 2026!
Come join us for the 2026 Northeast Instrumental Music Festival in the beautiful lakeside village of Lake George, NY. The Festival brings together musicians of all ages, proving that music is a lifelong experience. Band members come from all over the Northeast and Midwest. High School students perform in the All Star High School Concert Band. Members of the Great American Community Band are adults 18 or older who no longer attend High School.
The Festival is housed in the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel on the town's main street looking out over Lake George and the Adirondack Mountains.
The Festival for the All Star High School Concert Band begins with auditions for seating on the afternoon of Thursday, November 19, 2026 followed by the first rehearsal.
For 2026 the Great American Community Band rehearsals begin Friday, November 20, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.
On Sunday, November 22, 2026 the Festival culminates with a concert by the Great American Community Band starting at 1:00 p.m. followed by the All Star High School Concert Band.
Directors for the 2026 Festival will be announced in May. For the 2025 Festival Carla Newsome was the director for the 2025 All Star High School Concert Band and Kathleen Richards Ehlinger was the director for the 2025 Great American Community Band. See more about each of them on the Conductors page. Musical selections for the 2025 Festival are now listed on the the News page.
Registration for the 2026 Great American Community Band will open in June 2026. Registration for the All Star High School Concert Band is completed through participating schools.
Adults wishing to stay at the Festival Hotel please contact the hotel directly:
Lake George Courtyard by Marriott
3654 Canada Street
Lake George NY 12845
518-761-1150
We look forward to seeing you in Lake George November 19-22, 2026!!!