FESTIVALS | Mwmfoundation

Where Passion Meets Performance!

This high energy, one-of-a-kind two-day music festival is sure to jump start your contest season!

Rockin' Strings isn't just another music education festival—it’s an electrifying experience that ignites creativity, fuels passion, and transforms musicians. There’s nothing like this in the world. With world-class instructors, hands-on workshops, and high-energy performances, we bridge the gap between classical precision and contemporary musical styles. Unlike other festivals, we emphasize innovation, collaboration, and real-world performance skills, ensuring every participant leaves inspired, confident, and ready to own any stage.

Participate in our very first festival in San Antonio, the Alamo City, to perform alongside Mark Wood, Emmy award winning composer, and original string master of Trans-Siberian Orchestra and explore a city of exciting theme parks, diverse cultures, historic sites, and entertainment for all ages.

What makes Rockin' Strings truly stand out?

🎸 Online Mentoring Before the Festival – The learning starts before you even arrive! Our exclusive online mentoring program connects participants with expert musicians, allowing them to prepare, refine their skills, and make the most of their festival experience.

🎻 Immediate Feedback – No waiting around for results! Performers receive real-time adjudication feedback from Mark Wood - Juilliard trained, Emmy-award winning composer, and original string master of Trans-Siberian Orchestra - in addition to one of his Artist Mentors, and 2 TMAA trained judges., helping them improve on the spot and maximize their learning experience.

🔥 Concert Experience with Professional Musicians – Step beyond the classroom and onto the stage! Participants get the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform alongside world-class musicians in a high-energy concert setting.

Join us for an unforgettable fusion of education and entertainment—because at RSMF, music isn’t just taught, it’s lived!

Download a 2-page pdf summary!

General Info

general

Open To and Divisions

OPEN TO: Public, private, charter and home school middle and high school acoustic and/or electric orchestral ensembles (4 – 60 in size)
FOUR DIVISIONS:
- Middle and high school comments only
- Middle and high school graded competition

Dates and Location

DATES: November 14 – 15, 2025
LOCATION:
John Jay High School – Northside ISD
7611 Marbach Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78227

This venue is located near the most popular attractions so the fun can begin as soon as you arrive!

Fees and What's Included

REGISTRATION FEES (non-refundable):

$150 per ensemble (4 – 30 in size)
$250 per ensemble (31 – 60 in size)
Plus $40 per student

WHAT'S INCLUDED:

Two (2) Days of Festival Activities.
Exclusive, collectible festival t-shirt.
MENTORING PRIOR TO FESTIVAL:
All ensembles will receive an online mentoring session with Mark Wood or one of his Artist Mentors from the Electrify Your Symphony team.
Three (3) brand-new compositions from Mark Wood for the competition and concert.
Immediate feedback, short clinic, and meet and greet with Artist Mentor after adjudication.
Workshop and Rehearsal with Mark Wood on concert day.

Why RSMF?

Your music selection can be ANYTHING written after 1900.
Perform alongside professional electric violinist, Mark Wood, in a one-of-a-kind concert that includes every festival participant and teacher.
Receive three (3) new compositions from Mark Wood.
The quality acoustics of our venues provide a memorable performance experience.
Competitive or Motivational Platform is offered for first day of festival.
Expert adjudicators provide quality written feedback and audio notes.

Trophy Awards

All groups registered for competition receive a Division Rating trophy and will have the opportunity to earn the Judges’ Favorite trophy and be a featured group at the concert on day 2.
Festival entrants will also be eligible for Best in Division and Best in Festival trophies. The number and category of these awards, based on festival entries, will be determined by the adjudication panel.

Travel, Accommodations, and More!

Travel and Lodging

Forum Educational Travel is here to help with any of your group’s needs for your Rockin’ Strings Music Festival experience!

Whether you need transportation, hotel accommodations, meals, theme park tickets or other attractions – reach out to info@forumtravel.org for a customized and competitive quote. Our sister company, Forum Music Festivals, started 30 years ago in California by music educators and we have been producing adjudicated student music festivals and planning student travel ever since. We are thrilled to partner with the Mark Wood Music Foundation to help support your string adventures. Contact us today!

Every Overnight Package includes:

Lodging at a quality hotel near attractions
Breakfast at the hotel
Activities and attractions of your choice
Complimentary package for each educator
On-call staff available 24/7 for any on-trip concerns

What to Expect

Join us for a harmonious experience celebrating talent and creativity!

What to Expect

Day 1: Competition Day

Judges to include Mark Wood and Artist Mentor; plus two TMAA active member judges.

Ensembles perform three (3) songs for judges:

One composition chosen from a modern artist (20th or 21st Century) or a creative reinvention or reinterpretation of a classical piece. Think outside the orchestra box (no longer than 5 minutes in length).
Your choice of two of the original Mark Wood Festival pieces for competition purposes.
Feedback, quick clinic, and meet and greet with Mark or Artist Mentor after ensembles’ performance.

NOTE: All 3 Mark Wood songs will be performed at the concert on Day 2.

Day 2: Festival Concert Day

Ensembles will participate in 30-60 minute division workshop with Mark Wood, plus a 1-hour dress rehearsal/concert run-through with everyone

All ensembles will perform their 2 Mark Wood division pieces plus the finale for all.

During adjudication on Day 1, judges will choose their favorite middle and high school performances. These will be performed again during the concert. Judges’ favorite schools will know by the end of Day 1 to give them time to prepare.