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Orchestra
The TJ orchestras perform in four concerts during the school year, District XI Assessment, and a competition during their spring trip. In addition, the Symphonic Orchestra also performs at the TJ Graduation Cerrmony. Smaller groups and individuals participate in Solo and Ensemble Festival, Senior District Orchestra, Senior Regional Orchestra, and Virginia All-State Orchestra among others.
About TJ Orchestra
Though TJ is a school for science and technology, many students choose to continue music studies at the curricular and extracurricular level. Numerous music groups at TJ perform at school events, regular concerts, and competitions.
Orchestra is a class at TJ that you can take for credit. You will play in one of two advanced levels for a 40 minute block on Monday, and 95 minute block on Tuesday/Thursday or Wednesday/Friday. The orchestras all play at a Fall Concert, Winter Concert, District XI Assessment, and Spring Concert. All orchestra members also have the option of going on the Spring Trip. Members of the Symphonic Orchestra play at the annual Viennese Ball, one of the most popular school dances of the year and a fundraiser for the orchestras.
As an orchestra member, you have the opportunity to audition for Senior District Orchestra or Senior Regional Orchestra. In the Winter and Spring concerts, the Symphonic orchestra performs full orchestra pieces with TJ Band members. There are other opportunities to play in smaller chamber ensembles at TJ events, and individual practice rooms are open during lunch and 8th period.
TJ orchestra is your opportunity to play advanced music with other students who love to make music in addition to focusing on academics. It is possible, with proper planning, to take orchestra for as many of your 4 TJ years as you would like. You still fulfill all the academic requirements in addition to receiving a musical education at school.
Feel free to attend any of our free concerts during the year to see and hear the orchestras for yourself!
Additional Information
The orchestra also maintains an additional website, www.tjorchestra.org. Check that page for the most up-to-date information.
TJ Orchestra Parents
See the Orchestra Boosters page for details about the Orchestra Boosters and the booster meeting schedule for the school year.
Contact
Director: Allison Bailey (AKBailey@fcps.edu)
Orchestra Boosters President: Lisa Valdetaro (tjorchboosters@gmail.com)
