Newport News in beautiful Coastal Virginia is home to rich history, outdoor adventure, and a thriving live music scene – and now it’s also the site of the 65 Roses Music Festival for student groups!
About the Festival
Animado Events invites K-12 bands, choirs, and orchestras to take part in the 65 Roses Music Festival at Christopher Newport University.
Open to bands, choirs, and orchestras from elementary through high school, the 65 Roses Music Festival at Christopher Newport University’s Ferguson Center for the Arts is an exceptional way to spotlight your talented students, fine tune their skills, and gather valuable performance feedback.
65 Roses Festival Includes
Performance at Ferguson Center for the Arts at Christopher Newport University (optional)
Clinic with Esteemed Educator/Conductor
Written and/or Recorded Critique
Ensemble Plaque
Your Performance Has the Power to Help End Cystic Fibrosis
When you take part in the 65 Roses Music Festival, you perform on a globally acclaimed stage AND support vital research to help end Cystic Fibrosis.
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease that affects the lungs, digestive system, and many other parts of the body. It impacts the lives of thousands of children and adults—including Owen Erhard.
Owen was diagnosed with CF at just six weeks old and is currently thriving thanks to the groundbreaking research made possible by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
While there is still no cure, your ensemble’s support brings us one step closer—so that one day, CF will stand for ‘Cure Found.’
While You’re in Newport News and Coastal Virginia…
In addition to the festival, there are TONS of great opportunities for your students to laugh and learn! Here are a few of our favorites….
Add a Cultural ‘Note’
Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center
Visit the Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center, a vibrant hub for arts and entertainment. The center hosts music, theater, film, dance, and other events and workshops.
It’s also home to the Ella Fitzgerald Theater, a venue that celebrates the legacy of the legendary jazz singer who was born in Newport News.
Newport News Street Museum
Check out the Newport News Street Museum, a citywide mural project featuring works by renowned local and national muralists.
Connect the Past with the Present
Take a fresh look at an old favorite and visit the Historic Triangle – Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown.
Williamsburg
Williamsburg is a charming spot on the Virginia Peninsula. Its nearly 325 years of American history are proudly on display throughout the shell-covered streets and 88 original 18th-century structures that make up Colonial Williamsburg. The quaint town shops, magnificent College of William & Mary campus, and outdoor adventures beckon visitors to explore another time and place.
Jamestown
The Jamestown Settlement is a magnificent living history museum tucked into the woods along the James River. As America’s first permanent English settlement established in 1607, it has quite a story to share!
Yorktown
Yorktown rounds out the trifecta of historic highlights with the impressive American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, Battlefield Visitors Center, and a stunning riverwalk that’s easily accessible via a free trolley.
Get Hands-On with Learning
There’s so much more to learn and explore while you’re in the area. Just minutes from Newport News are some of the most impressive attractions on the East Coast!
Nauticus and the Battleship Wisconsin
Visit the Norfolk’s waterfront and you’ll find Nauticus. This interactive maritime discovery center is also home to the impressive Battleship Wisconsin.
Explore the power of the sea and the interior of the battleship (the largest and last battleship of the U.S. Navy’s Iowa Class.) Guided tours and an onsite café are available, as well as performance opportunities.
Mariners’ Museum and Park
Home to fascinating maritime history, the Mariners’ Museum and Park offers a wide variety of artifacts from the Civil War-era USS Monitor.
Virginia Air & Space Center
This is a must do! The Virginia Air & Space Science Center is the visitor center for NASA’s Langley Research Center. It features interactive exhibits, workshops, and an IMAX theater.
Virginia War Museum
The Virginia War Museum is a fascinating study in American military history from 1775 to the present. It showcases a vast collection of artifacts, weapons, uniforms, and military vehicles.
Cape Henry Lighthouse
The Cape Henry Lighthouse shines a bright light on the region’s history! Authorized by George Washington and supervised by Alexander Hamilton, the lighthouse is located near the “First Landing” where the first English settlers landed on their way to Jamestown.
Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center is literally 800,000 gallons of aquatic awesomeness! More than 300 hands-on exhibits, behind-the-scenes experiences, seasonal whale and dolphin watching, and a NEW building round out a great day of learning.
Take a Walk on the Wild Side
Outdoor adventure is just a little more fun in Coastal Virginia! Here are a handful of student favorites!
Virginia Living Museum
The Virginia Living Museum is a captivating blend of zoo, aquarium, botanical garden, and science center. Students can explore interactive exhibits, live animal habitats, and engaging educational programs featuring Virginia’s ecosystems.
Adventure Park
Located just steps from the Virginia Beach boardwalk is the Adventure Park. Get your group’s adrenaline going with 17 aerial trails, 258 treetop platforms, and 33 ziplines.
It’s six levels of pure exhilaration!
Newport News Park
The Newport News Park is one of the largest municipal parks in the United States (8,000+ acres!), This expansive green space offers camping, hiking, biking, fishing, disc golf, and archery, along with more than 30 miles of trails.
It also shares a border with Colonial National Historical Park!
Virginia Beach
Make your trip truly sensational and add a few days of fun in the sun! Virginia Beach is a great place for walks on the beach, casual beachfront lunches or breath-taking sunsets. Students love the energy and excitement of the boardwalk or playing in the waves.
Plan Your 65 Roses Music Festival Trip
Join Animado Events on May 4, 2026 at the acoustically superb Ferguson Center for the Arts for an exceptional performance opportunity – and an opportunity to support a great cause!💜
It’s a performance with a powerful mission!