Musicians of the Orchestra

The musicians who comprise the Orchestra of the Eastern Shore include students, working people from a variety of professions, and retirees. All share a common passion for music making and willingly commit themselves to the discipline of regular practice, rehearsals, and performances that are the work of the orchestra.

Orchestra musicians live throughout the Eastern Shore—both in Virginia and Maryland—and come together each Monday evening from 7 until 9:00 (or so) at the Cokesbury Church in Onancock for an evening of doing what we all love: making music. While the core of any orchestra is its strings (first and second violins, violas, cellos, and double bass), we also welcome winds and brass players who will enable us to expand our repertoire and vary our tonal palette.

The Orchestra's repertoire is grounded in the Baroque and Classical tradition, characterized by the music of Bach, Handel, Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven, but in past seasons we have also studied and performed works of more contemporary composers such as Béla Bartók, Benjamin Britten, Edward Elgar, and living Virginia Beach composer Richard Moriarty. In our 2011-12 season the Orchestra will again tackle the music of 20th-century giant Béla Bartók, as well as a composition by another living composer, David E. Weirich, commissioned specifically for our Orchestra. No viable orchestra performing in the 21st century can afford to ignore the plethora of great music composed during the recent past, and the lessons learned from addressing the challenges of that repertoire serve in the performance of music from all stylistic periods.

In addition to their work in the Orchestra, the musicians often play together in smaller ensembles and thus enjoy a wide diversity in repertoire and performance opportunities. Small groups are available to play for church services, weddings, and other gatherings. Remunerations received are donated to the Orchestra.

How to Join

If you are interested in joining the Orchestra, please contact us, email Lee Jordan-Anders at ljordananders@vwc.edu, or call Marion Naar at 757‑442‑2821.