South Hills Junior Orchestra prepares for its 35th year

The South Hills Junior Orchestra will open its 35th year of music-making on Sept. 9 with weekly rehearsals in the Upper St. Clair High School band room.

Students in grades 5-12 are encouraged to come with their instruments and try out the orchestra any time throughout the year.

In addition, adults are invited to brush up on their skills — or learn to play a new instrument — and join the weekly orchestra practices.

Rehearsals are held weekly and are stress-free opportunities for instrumentalists of all ages who want to develop their skills and artistry, explore orchestral literature, and collaborate with others in the making of music.

Performances for the special anniversary season will include a fall concert at 3 p.m. Nov. 12, a holiday charity concert on Dec. 17, and a spring concert on May 20.

Admission is free, and these performances are held in the Upper St. Clair High School Theater, 1825 McLaughlin Run Road, Upper St. Clair.

The directors, members and boosters are inviting all South Hills Junior Orchestra alumni to come back and practice for an Alumni Reunion and Anniversary Concert.

Rehearsals will be ext e n d e d on Saturdays throughout the month of June leading up to the anniversary concert on June 24, 2018, in the Fort Couch Middle School gymnasium.

The South Hills Junior Orchestra is directed by an all-volunteer music staff led by retired public school teachers Paul Fox, Donna Fox and David Levin.

The orchestra is nonprofit and noncompetitive and supports school string and band programs throughout Western Pennsylvania.

It is made possible in part by the Upper St. Clair School District, professional music educators and community volunteers donating their services, and the SHJO Booster Organization.

For more information, contact managing director Janet Vukotich at mdirector@shjo.org, visit the website at www.shjo.org, call Paul or Donna Fox at 412-8543459, or send an e-mail to paulkfox.usc@gmail.com.