Arizona Musicfest Assembles All-Star Ensemble
Writer Joseph J. Airdo // Photography Courtesy of Arizona Musicfest
For one extraordinary week each March, North Scottsdale becomes the epicenter of orchestral excellence as Arizona Musicfest presents its crown jewel event — Festival Orchestra Week. Under the masterful direction of Robert Moody, this unique assembly of elite musicians from America’s premier orchestras transforms the desert into a classical music oasis.
“It’s like driving a Ferrari,” says Moody, who marks his 18th season as music director. “From the first rehearsal, this orchestra plays at a level significantly higher than most North American orchestras achieve in performance. That’s a bold statement, but it’s true.”
The concept behind the Festival Orchestra is brilliantly simple: Create an orchestral equivalent of an all-star game, featuring top players from America’s most prestigious ensembles. What began as an ambitious vision has evolved into one of classical music’s most compelling success stories.
“When I started almost 20 years ago, I knew just one player in the top 10 orchestras — a cellist from the Chicago Symphony I’d known in grad school,” Moody recalls. “We started reaching out to musicians from orchestras in cold-weather cities with a compelling pitch: good pay, great treatment, and average temperatures of 76 degrees and sunny.”
That winning formula has created what Moody describes as “an embarrassment of riches,” with players from major orchestras now actively seeking opportunities to perform with the ensemble.
“Now, players from major orchestras reach out to us: ‘Hey, I heard from my colleague who plays with you — if you ever need another violist from Philadelphia, let me know,’” he says.
The orchestra’s success stems not just from technical excellence but from a carefully cultivated collaborative spirit. Moody and his team specifically seek musicians who excel at working together, creating an environment that feels more like a family reunion than a typical orchestra gathering.
“Though the work is intense — about 150% of normal rehearsal and performance hours in just eight days — everyone maintains high spirits,” Moody says. “It feels like summer camp, or a family reunion of the greatest musicians in the country.”
This collaborative approach is essential, as these musicians must quickly develop the intimate musical connections that typically form over years of playing together.
“When you have an orchestra that plays at this level and is focused on genuine collaboration rather than holding back, it’s jaw-dropping to watch and hear,” Moody explains. “These are the LeBron Jameses of their craft. When players at that level come together with a collaborative spirit, it creates something extraordinary.”
The Festival Orchestra’s impact extends beyond its performances, contributing to Greater Scottsdale’s evolution as a cultural destination. Since Moody took the helm of the Orchestra, the region has experienced tremendous growth in both population and artistic sophistication.
“The metro area has grown exponentially since I first conducted the ensemble in 1998,” Moody reflects. “The whole region has exploded, bringing with it more diversity and broader musical interests.”
Under Moody’s leadership, the Festival Orchestra has embraced this evolution, offering programming that spans classical masterworks, contemporary compositions and film scores. This approach has helped build new audiences while maintaining the highest artistic standards.
“We’re musical explorers,” Moody says. “We’re always seeking ways music can evolve in the 21st century. And when you have an orchestra this phenomenal, it makes for quite a joyride.”
As Festival Orchestra Week 2025 approaches, it stands as a testament to the power of artistic vision, collaborative spirit and musical excellence. In bringing together some of the nation’s finest orchestral musicians, Arizona Musicfest has created more than just a series of symphonic concerts — it has established a cultural phenomenon that continues to elevate Greater Scottsdale’s position in the classical music world.
Arizona Musicfest Festival Orchestra Week
March 23-30 // See website for schedule, locations and prices // azmusicfest.org
Comments by Admin