SHJO launches 40th season
The South Hills Junior Orchestra (SHJO) kicked off its 2022 fall/winter season Sept. 10 with regularly scheduled rehearsals at Upper St. Clair High School, located at 1825 McLaughlin Run Rd.
Trial practices of SHJO are free and open to amateur musicians of all ages. They will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays in the band room.
SHJO is directed by an all-volunteer music staff led by retired public school teachers Paul Fox and Donna Fox.
SHJO is a nonprofit and non-competitive organization that supports school string and band programs in Western Pennsylvania. SHJO has been part of nearly 40 years of educational enrichment, philanthropy, and community service, performing more than 200 concerts in numerous cities across the country and Canada, and raising more than $35,000 for school district and local charities.
There are openings in SHJO for all instrumental sections: strings (violin, viola, cello, and string bass), woodwinds (flute, oboe, clarinet, alto or tenor saxophone, and bassoon), brasses (trumpet, French Horn, trombone, and tuba), and percussion.
Newcomers (students grades 4 and up) can try SHJO for a three-week, free-trial basis any time throughout the year. In addition, adults can join the weekly orchestra practices.
“No one has ever been turned away,” said Paul Fox. “In support of our tagline – where members learn, grow, and lead – SHJO nurtures the players’ own realization of creative self-expression. Rehearsals are stress-free opportunities for musicians to develop their skills, explore orchestral and chamber literature, and collaborate with others in the making of beautiful music.”
Donna Fox, who is the executive director, added, “It’s a family-friendly experience where members find their true self-confidence and expand their musical thinking from being ‘note-tians’ to becoming musicians with interpretative understanding and sensitivity in the collaborative environment of an orchestra.”
Visit: www.shjo.org or call 412-341-5160 for more information.