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 8:45 (or so) at the old school on College Avenue 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 2010 the orchestra will tackle the music of the 20th-century giant, Béla Bartók. 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.

The orchestra's director emeritus, Peter Dundon, continues to serve as a valuable resource for musicians who want to study privately or participate in group coaching sessions. He can be reached at 757‑787‑4647.

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.