200 Hurd Rd, Bethel, NY 12720
Sunday, November 8th, 2026 @ 1pm
Dear Students & Parents,
We are thrilled to announce that the Harrison School of Music and the New City School of Music will be presenting our 2026 Destination Recital at the legendary Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, NY on Sunday, November 8th, 2026!
This historic venue is located on the very grounds where the original Woodstock Festival took place in 1969, a place that forever changed music history. Imagine the excitement of your child performing on a stage surrounded by the spirit of peace, love, and music, in the very place where Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, Santana, and The Who once stood. ✌️🎶
Our past destination recitals have been unforgettable experiences, with overwhelming interest from our students and families. This year, we are excited to offer our performers the chance to be part of something truly unique, an opportunity to not only showcase their talent, but to perform with a live backing band supporting the performers, comprised of our teachers.
As always, we’ll take care of every detail so you can relax and enjoy the moment, knowing the day will run smoothly. Most importantly, your student will grow tremendously through the preparation and performance experience, walking away with memories that will last a lifetime.
We can’t wait to see our students light up the stage at the Bethel Woods Events Center and carry forward the tradition of music, creativity, and inspiration that this magical venue represents.
We had our first Destination Recital at Carnegie Hall in 2019. Since then, we’ve heard from numerous parents how beneficial it was to their children to include these performances on their college applications, helping many of them get into their first-choice colleges or into competitive high schools.
Big events like this are known to bring out the best in performers, abilities that have always been there, but just hadn’t been uncovered yet! You’ll be able to tell your friends, family and neighbors that your child had the opportunity as well as the confidence to perform at Woodstock! Not to mention the credibility of being able to add the performance to your child’s resume and college applications!
Please read below for more information on registration, and for what is included in your registration fee. The link to register is at the bottom of the page.
Peace, Love & Music,
~ Samuel Faraci, M.M.
Director
The Kennedy Center experience provided by the Harrison School Of Music was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity that my daughter will remember for years to come! Thank you to all the staff that made this possible. – Raquel Cheney
My daughter has been apart of the New City school of Music family for eight years now and we just love the amazing opportunities the school has given her. Miss Rube has been such an amazing instructor and has watched Leah grow and has helped her improve on her craft. We love traveling with the school and have made so many amazing friends throughout her musical journey. Thank you to Sam, Jaleesa and all of the music school family for always making my daughters experience so amazing. – Nicole Fabrizi
Once again, Harrison School of Music delivered. The students who performer at the Kennedy Center will never forget this. Experiencing one of the most famous venues in the world as a performer was such an inspirational and confidence boosting event. It’s fantastic to show these students what they are capable of. – Jeanne Woods
This was our fourth destination recital and we were very impressed with the level of talent that the students displayed. This performance really captured the advanced students abilities. Everyone was very well prepared and the opportunity to have a rehearsal at the venue the morning of the show made the students feel more comfortable . It was a very professional performance and definitely one I’d like to see repeated again. Having the students audition for the show made everyone take it seriously and this really shone through. – A. Cleary
Once again the new city school of music gave our children a once in a lifetime experience! From the audition process to the event my children got to experience what it’s like to work really hard to fulfill a dream. The opportunity to perform at the Kennedy center was such an incredible feeling for these kids! They were so excited just to see the Kennedy center itself when they arrived in Washington! The boost to a child’s self esteem to successfully take the stage and perform in an environment like that can’t be understated! I once again was left with tears in my eyes! I can’t thank enough all of the people who supported these kids prior to and at the event! My kids truly feel like they are being cheered on by their instructors and at the event the pride and joy on the faces of the school director and the accompanying musicians is one of the best parts of the experience for me as a parent! We will be back again! – Vinny Grippo
This event was fantastic and was a great confidence booster as well as a skill building event. The camaraderie developed with peers and teachers was priceless. – Kris Hansen
This recital has been, by far, the highlight of my son’s experiences at Harrison. Not only the ability for my wife and I to attend with him, but also all of our family and friends that were able to see how much Nathan has learned in just one year via the live stream. This experience has given Nathan the feel of what a true on-stage band performance would be like. It has helped him confront his fear of performing to a crowd. And most of all, it has provided him a new goal for improving his drumming skills and stage presence. – Mabel & Juan Calderon
The Graceland Destination Recital is another showcasing of the performer’s abilities and accomplishments. Every year, we look forward to the stage performance at their Destination Recital from Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio to Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee. Director Sam and his staff worked really hard, going above & beyond, and the results are there for you all to see. It is a pleasure to listen to all the instruments, in varying degrees of proficiency as the students perform. The caliber of the music teachers, as well as their general cheerful demeanor, have left a lasting impression on us. Director Sam and his team have been incredibly engaged and focused on ensuring that students are not only learning but also enjoying the journey of musical exploration. – Evelyn Celis
The New City School of Music made the ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME experience amazing for all of the students that participated. Performing at such a prestige setting enhanced my son’s confidence and provided an experience that will never be forgotten! – Ralph Lopez
Registration for our performance at the Bethel Woods Events Center is open for 30 performers and is first come first served. Once all of our performance spots are full, a wait list will be started. Registration opens Saturday January 31st, 2026 @ 12 noon. The registration link will be texted to you, and is also located at the bottom of this page.
All participants in the Woodstock performance will have the opportunity to perform with a backing band of professional musicians comprised of teachers from the schools. Imagine if you are a guitar or vocal student, and you get to rock out on stage in front of an adoring audience with full drums, bass, guitar, keyboards and vocals backing YOU up with a full concert sound system! There’s no better way to feel like a rock star! Acoustic drums, keyboard, bass amps, guitar amps, lighting and full PA system will be provided. We will also provide professional photos and professional videos of the event.
NOTE: Unlike our previous Destination Recitals, there will be no ticket purchases required for the audience. Your performance fee allows participants to bring as many family and friends as they like for the performance at no additional cost! We will need a final guest head count 1 month prior to the performance.
Registration for our Woodstock performance includes 1 museum ticket for each performer. Additional tickets may be purchased for friends and family members.
Visiting the Museum at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts is like stepping into a living time capsule of one of the most iconic moments in music and cultural history. This is the site where the legendary 1969 Woodstock Festival took place, a gathering that forever changed the landscape of music, art, and social expression. Walking through the museum, you’ll experience the sights, sounds, and stories of a generation that stood for peace, love, and music, while seeing artifacts and exhibits that bring this pivotal moment to life. But what makes it even more thrilling is the opportunity to not only visit, but to perform on these historic grounds—where world-famous icons once inspired millions. To play music in a place so deeply tied to history is both an honor and an unforgettable experience, connecting performers to the legacy of one of the greatest musical celebrations of all time.
Before our students take the stage, performers will get to fuel up with a far out lunch buffet that’s way more than just a grilled cheese in the lot! Think of it as a groovy pre-show picnic—peace, love, and plenty of tasty eats to keep those good vibes flowing. No tie-dye required, but bell-bottom appetites are welcome. It’s the perfect way to get charged up before stepping onto the very grounds where music history was made! And the best part, it’s included with your performance registration!
Friends & Family Members are encouraged to bring their own lunches. Bethel Woods will be opening some of their food stands for us, however there could be delays if everyone goes for lunch at once – so bringing your own snacks and food is encouraged!
Registration for the Woodstock performance will be on a first come, first served basis beginning Saturday January 31st, 2026. Please complete the online form which will be texted and emailed out beginning at 12:00pm on Saturday January 31st, 2026 to reserve your space. Once we have 30 students signed up, registration will be closed, and a waiting list will be started.
Harrison & New City School of Music – Woodstock 2026
With its flexible, modern design, the Events Gallery at Bethel Woods offers an inviting and intimate setting for concerts, recitals, lectures, and community gatherings. Overlooking the historic Woodstock festival site, the space provides a unique opportunity to experience live performances and cultural events in a venue that blends contemporary elegance with a deep connection to music history.
The 1969 Woodstock Music Festival included some of the biggest acts of the day including: Richie Havens, Joan Baez, Santana, The Grateful Dead, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Janis Joplin, Sly and the Family Stone, The Who, Jefferson Airplane, Joe Cocker, The Band, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and Jimi Hendrix.
Learn more about The Event Gallery at Bethel Woods: Bethel Woods Event Gallery
Please email office@harrisonmusicschool.com to reach out to us. Also, feel free to call or text the school at 914-600-3933.