• Hello & Welcome!

      The South County High School Orchestras, located in Lorton, VA (Fairfax County) consists of roughly 125 students in grades 9-12 performing throughout four ensembles. The SCHS Orchestras have a longstanding tradition of excellence, consistently earning high ratings at VBODA events as well as various festivals across the East coast. The SCHS Orchestra program strives to provide the highest quality musical experience for all students with the hopes of fostering a love of music that will extend well beyond the classroom. Members of the SCHS Orchestras are challenged to develop both strong individual skills and the necessary ensemble skills to ensure a polished performance. The SCHS Orchestras offers a collaborative, supportive and fun environment where students can be a part of something larger than themselves.

    • Meet the Director

      Marci Swift

      Director of Orchestras

      Marci Swift is a native to Northern Virginia and a product of Prince William County Schools. Ms. Swift graduated from The University of South Carolina with a Bachelors in Music and a Minor in Business Administration. While at USC, she studied violin with Donald Portnoy and participated in the nationally recognized teacher training program, the USC String Project. Ms. Swift earned a Masters in Music Education from Georgia State University while teaching in the Cobb County School District outside of Atlanta, GA.

      Ms. Swift returned to Northern Virginia (Fairfax County) in 2004. She taught at Holmes MS from 2004-2011 and Kilmer Middle School from 2011-2018. Mrs. Swift joined the South County faculty in 2018. Under her direction, Ms. Swift's orchestras consistently receive superior ratings at State Assessment and various competitions in the mid-Atlantic area. Ms. Swift was selected to perform at the VMEA state conference with both the Holmes MS Concert Orchestra (2007) and the Kilmer MS Symphonic Orchestra (2014). She has served as both a guest conductor and an adjudicator for various Districts across Northern Virginia and conducted the United String Ensemble for the Youth Orchestras of Fairfax for 5 years. Mrs. Swift served as co-director of the Vienna Summer Strings program for seven years.

      Ms. Swift lives in Woodbridge, VA with her husband Mike, her two children, Kendall and Collin, and their dogs - a miniature dachshund, Slinky, and a miniature labradoodle, Annie.

       

    • 2022-2023 Audition Info

      Students NEW to SCHS enrolled in Orchestra are expected to audition for class placement. This is a low pressure audition where you are able to demonstrate your performance ability through performance of scales and excerpts. Input from your previous director will also be taken into consideration for final class placement.

       

      Returning students who wish to advance beyond their recommended
      placement may prepare the audition material.
      Returning student auditions will take place March 29 during Stallion Ti      me.

      Audition Requirements

      • AUDITION INFO
        • Auditions for all NEW SCHS students (rising 9 or NEW to fcps) will take place IN-PERSON on March 31 and April 1 at SCHS. Click HERE to select your audition window.
        • Returning SCHS students (rising 10-12) who plan to audition, should ask to be requested for Stallion Time on Tuesday, March 29.
      • AUDITION EXCERPTS
      • AUDITION SCALES
      • CURRENT FCPS STUDENTS ALL GRADES - All audition material is also available in the SCHS Orchestra 2022-2023 Auditions Schoology Group under RESOURCES. Log in to your Schoology account and join the group using access code - RBPQ-72FT-5PJBR. Frequent announcements and reminders pertaining to the auditions will be posted here.
      • Prepare the posted audition excerpts and scales for your instrument and desired placement level.

    • Student Info

      Important Info for all current SCHS Orchestra students.

       

      2022-2023 SENIOR REGIONAL ORCHESTRA is an auditioned group composed of the highest level players from across Fairfax County. Students in grades 9-12 are eligible to audition. Students who are selected to perform will then be eligible to audition for All-Virginia Orchestra in February.

       

       INFO SHEET

      • Auditions are on Monday, October 3 at Justice HS
      • SCALES (30% of total score) - all major and melodic minor scales up to three sharps and three flats; 3 octaves for violin, viola, cello, harp and 2 octaves for string bass. Four octaves for piano.
        • scales must be memorized and played at quarter note=120
        • String scale bowings - ASCENDING: 2 slurred, 2 martele; DESCENDING: 4 slurred
      • EXCERPTS (40% of total score)
      • SIGHT-READING (30% of total score)
      2022-23 DISTRICT HONORS ORCHESTRA is an audition groups composed of the highest level players for District 10 in Fairfax County. Students in 9th grade may choose to audition for the JUNIOR or SENIOR orchestra. Students in grades 10-12 will audition for the SNIOR orchestra.
      • Auditions are on Tuesday, November 15 at Justice HS
      • Audition Material can be accessed HERE.  (you MUST be logged in to your fcpsschools.net account to access.
      • Members of the SCHS Chamber Orchestra are required to audition for DHO or/and SRO.

       

      PRIVATE LESSONS

      • Interested in finding a private teacher outside of school? Great!  CLICK HERE for a list of teachers in the area.  Or check Google Classroom for the most up to date list.

      2022 SPRING PERFORMANCE & SENIOR RECOGNITION

      South County HS 2022-2023 INFORMATION

      COMING SOON - check back in August for updates

      SCHS Orchestra Booster Club Scholarship

      The SCHS Orchestra Booster Club offers scholarships for deserving students.

       

      Guidelines for Scholarship

      Scholarship requirements for the student in order of importance include:

      • Must be presently enrolled in a SCHS Orchestra class
      • Must be a SCHS graduating senior
      • Must be planning to attend a 2-year or 4-year college, university, or music conservatory
      • Must have demonstrated commitment and service to the orchestra during their years at SCHS which may include the following:
        1. Participation in school-related orchestra events, such as Governor’s School for Music, All-Virginia Orchestra, Senior Regional Orchestra, FCPS District X Honors Orchestra, FCPS Solo & Ensemble Festival, and SCHS pit orchestra
        2. Membership in Tri-M Music Honor Society
        3. Involvement in SCHS orchestra fund-raisers
        4. Participation in other orchestra-related events, such as membership in a community orchestra/symphony, private lesson study, and summer music camp.
      • Must have participated in the FCPS District X Honors Orchestra and/or the FCPS Solo & Ensemble Festival at least once during their high school years
      • Must submit the application with requested information including an essay on the required topic
      • Must have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher
      • Financial need is not considered for this scholarship
      • Scholarship is non-renewable

      • Application for the 2022-2023 school year will be shared at the start of the school year.

      Considering a Degree in Music?​

      If you are considering making music your career, be sure to make plans to visit the Performing and Visual Arts College Fair, held each fall at the convention center in DC!

      Click here for more details on the date and time.

      You'll find almost every college and music conservatory in the country represented there. It's helpful to decide ahead of time which schools you want to consider so that you can make the best use of your time.

    • Calendar

      2022-2023

       

      CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE CALENDAR

      AUGUST 2022

      18 - Stallion Stampede (TBD)

      22 -  FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

      25 - CHAMBER VMEA rehearsal (3:10-4:30PM)

      25 - "ORCH"ientation Potluck Picnic (5:30-7:30PM) Laurel Hill Central Green

      26 - Elementary Recruitment Tour (CHAMBER)

      31 - Instrument Petting Zoo (6:30-8PM) SCHS Cafeteria

       

       

       

      SEPTEMBER 2022

      9 - Senior Regional Audition FEE due

      16 - All Orchestra Class Fees and Instrument Rental Fees due

      17 - TAG DAY

       

       

       

      OCTOBER 2022

      3 - SRO Auditions at Justice HS

      11-25 - Music Dept. Pie Sale

      11, 18 - ES Masquerade Clinics at the MS (4:15-5:30PM) CHAMBER

      22 - Masquerade Workshopt at HS (8AM-12PM) CHAMBER

      25 - MASQUERADE CONCERT 7PM SCHS

      28 - End of Q1 (E.R.)

       

       

       

      NOVEMBER 2022

      9 - Tri-M Induction Ceremony 7PM Silverbox

      10-12 - SRO Event at Wakefield HS

      14 - Pie Sale PICK-UP (2:45-6:30PM) Loading Dock (door 8)

      15 - DHO Auditions at Justice HS

      TBD - Pre-VMEA performane (CHAMBER)

      TBD - VMEA Performance in Richmond (CHAMBER)

       

       

       

      DECEMBER 2022

      3 - Craft Fair (performers needed)

      8 - After School Dress- Rehearsal and Pizza Party (3:10-6:30PM)

      8 - WINTER CONCERT 7PM

      12 - TINY TOTS rehearsal CHAMBER

      13 - TINY TOTS performance CHAMBER

       

       

       

      JANUARY 2023

      3 - First Day back from break

      13-14- DHO Event at SCHS (volunteers needed)

      24 - 6th Grade Event at MS (TBD)

      25 - END OF Q2 (E.R.)

      25-29 - Orchestra & Band Orlando Trip

       

       

       

      FEBRUARY 2023

      22 - Pre-Assessment Concerts (6PM & 7:30PM) SCHS

      25 - All-State Auditions at JMU

       

       

       

      MARCH 2023

      18-19 - Orchestra Assessment at Hayfield SS (day/times TBD in January). Reserve BOTH dates

       

       

       

      APRIL 2023

      3-7 - SPRING BREAK

      14 - END OF Q3 (E.R.)

      27-29 - All-State Event in Richmond

      28 - Solo & Ensemble Festival at Poe MS

      28 - Orchestra Senior Scholarship Application deadline

       

       

       

      MAY 2023

      1 - Academic Letter Point Sheet Due

      5-6/12-13 - Spring Musical

      22 - After School Rehearsal ALL groups (3:10-5:30PM) stage

      23 - SPRING CONCERT & AWARDS NIGHT (6:30PM) SCHS

       

       

       

       

      JUNE 2023

      TBD - Graduation (Philharmonic & Chamber to perform)

      16 - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

       

       

       

    • SCHS Orchestra Spirit Wear

      Click the button below to shop!

    • Orchestra Booster Club

      The mission of the South County High School Orchestra Booster Club (SCHS OBC) is to support the Orchestra director and students so that they will have an enjoyable and successful year. We carry out fundraising events to provide funding for orchestra music events, the purchase and maintenance of orchestra equipment's, and many other forms of support. As parent/guardian of SCHS orchestra student(s), you are automatically a member of SCHS OBC. There are no membership fees and all of our orchestra concerts are free and open to the public. With this in mind, please consider becoming an Orchestra Patron and/or help us get the word out to individuals and businesses (e.g., any of your regular service providers) that might be interested in supporting our orchestra program. All donors will be listed in the orchestra concert programs and on the orchestra website unless they wish to remain anonymous. A business can make a contribution and advertise at the same time. The SCHS OBC is a 501(c)(3) organization and all donations are TAX-DEDUCTIBLE to the extent of the law; a tax receipt will be provided to donors. Please select Become an Orchestra Patron to see the patron categories. Donations may be mailed to the address on the form or sent in via orchestra students. We greatly appreciate your contribution and thank you for your support!

      Tammy Toth, President

      EMAIL

      Acts as Orchestra liaison with the PTSO and any Arts Advisory group as may be formed. Oversees financial and operational activities of Committee to assure compliance with the Orchestra Bylaws. Conducts periodic meetings of the Orchestra Booster Committee. Approves expenditures and co-signs checks with Orchestra Treasurer. Prepares annual budget. Sends items for Orchestra website to Webmaster. Maintains current e-mail list of orchestra parents and sends out general communications as requested by Orchestra Director.

      Mandy Petrocelli, Vice President

      EMAIL

      Fulfills functions of President in his/her absence and assists President as requested. Processes Student forms and follows up on any missing forms/fees.

      Teresa Gribschaw, Secretary

      EMAIL

      Takes minutes at Orchestra Committee meetings and forwards to President. Keeps official records of meetings and other Board actions, as well as original copies of Corporation paperwork. Sends Thank You notes and other correspondence as requested.

      Polly Peckham, Treasurer

      EMAIL

      Establishes a bank account for the organization and keeps a record of orchestra finances. Provides financial reports at Committee meetings. Deposits monies received from Fundraisers. Processes requests for reimbursement of volunteer expenses and other approved expenses. Co-signs checks with Orchestra President. Assists President in preparing Annual Budget. Prepares annual taxes and registration paperwork and remits fees in a timely manner.

    • Meeting Notes

      SCHS Orchestra Booster Club Bylaws

      CLICK HERE to view

    • Become a Booster Patron

      Please consider becoming an Orchestra Patron and/or help us get the word out to individuals and businesses (e.g., any of your regular service providers) that might be interested in supporting our orchestra program. All donors will be listed in the orchestra concert programs and on the orchestra website unless they wish to remain anonymous.

      A business can make a contribution and advertise at the same time. The SCHS OBC is a 501(c)(3) organization

      and all donations are TAX-DEDUCTIBLE to the extent of the law; a tax receipt will be provided to donors.

      Donations may be mailed to the address on the form or sent in via orchestra students.

      We greatly appreciate your contribution and thank you for your support!

      Legato

      $25

      Your name will be listed as a Legato Patron on our website and in the current year orchestra concert programs.

      Forte

      $50

      Your name will be listed as a Forte Patron on our website and in the current year orchestra concert programs.

      Allegro

      $100

      Your name (or business card or 1/4 page ad) will be listed as an Allegro Patron on our website and in the current year orchestra concert programs.

      Virtuoso

      $250

      Your name (or business card or 1/2 page ad) will be listed as a Virtuoso Patron on our website and in the current year orchestra concert programs.

      Maestro

      $500

      Your name (or business card or 1/2 page ad) will be listed as a Maestro Patron on our website and in the current year orchestra concert programs. You may request a private chamber music performance at your home or business function.

      Stradivarius

      $1000

      Your name (or business card or 3/4 page ad) will be listed as a Stradivarius Patron on our website and in the current year orchestra concert programs. You may request a private chamber music performance at your home or business function.

    • Amazon Smile

    • Tri-M

      Music Honor Society open to all SCHS Music Students.

      What is Tri-M?

      The Tri-M Music Honor Society is an organization created to inspire music participation, create enthusiasm for scholarship, stimulate a desire to render service, and promote leadership in the music students of South County High School.

      Membership in Tri-M is open to all students in Grades 9-12 who meet the requirements set forth in the Bylaws. In addition to meeting GPA minimums, students must be enrolled in a music performance class and have the recommendation of that teacher. They must also successfully complete an induction recital/performance.

      Members of the Tri-M Honor Society are expected to attend meetings and perform service to the music programs. Those students who maintain good standing in the Society will receive cords and a diploma seal at graduation.

      How do I apply?

      Each year, there is an interest meeting for all new applicants in early October. You will receive application and membership information for the new school year at that time. Completed applications must be the week following the interest meeting. The induction ceremony for all new members or the new school year will take place in mid to late November.

      Membership Info

      • Current Members should check the Chapter Schoology Group page for up to date information.

       

    • Photo Gallery

      Photos & videos from the SCHS Orchestras!

      Show more

    • Share Your Photos!

      Do you have photos or videos from SCHS Orchestra Events that you would like to share? Please click the link below to upload them to the SCHS Orchestra Google Photo Drive!

    • Links

      One click away!

      FCPS Homepage

      SCHS Homepage

      Tri-M Music Honor Society

      VA Band & Orchestra Directors' Association

    South County High School Orchestras

    8501 Silverbrook Road

    Lorton, VA 22079

    schsorchestra@gmail.com

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