NEISTA Honor Orchestra 

The NEISTA Honor Orchestra festival takes place at the beginning of January. Orchestra directors from schools in the Northeast section of Iowa nominate their top string students, and students are selected for participation from the entire pool of nominees. There is a middle school (grades 6-8), as well as a high school (grades 9-12)  orchestra. The 2025 festival took place at Mount Vernon High School on January 11. The 2026 festival will take place on January 10th at Cedar Falls High School.

2025 NEISTA HS Honors Orchestra:

Back Row: Alex Christ, Chandler Taylor, Diya Pradeep, James Peng, Cade Frost, Kevin Du

Front Row: Josie Gabel, Jake Snodgrass, Helen Peng, Aleah Flint, Summer Lim