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PROFILE
The South Hills Junior Orchestra is a non-profit youth symphony orchestra located in metropolitan Pittsburgh. The group was formed in 1983 to provide an orchestral playing experience for students age eight through high school with some openings for adults on selected instruments. Each player should have a minimum of one year private or two years school instruction.
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The principles of SHJO are to support and nurture local school band and/or orchestra programs, to develop our students' knowledge, understanding, skills and appreciation of music, and to increase an individual member's self-esteem and self-motivation to continue their study of music
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The year is divided into two seasons: Fall and Spring. Students interested in the South Hills Junior Orchestra have the opportunity to participate in several open rehearsals before committing to membership. Auditions are not required.
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String, Woodwind and Brass Ensembles were formed to serve as an adjunct to the orchestra, providing opportunities for greater musical diversity. As part of an "intimate group", ensemble members are challenged to sharpen their skills in technique, performance and listening. They also serve as ambassadors, representing South Hills Junior Orchestra at numerous community functions throughout the year.
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Alumni of South Hills Junior Orchestra have gone on to became valuable participants of college and amateur orchestras. Several have cultivated promising careers in music.
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MUSIC DIRECTORS
The orchestra is under the direction of Paul K. Fox, String Teacher, Orchestra Conductor and Music Director/Producer, Upper St. Clair High School; Donna S. Fox, String Specialist, Peters Township School District; and William Critser, Composer and Woodwind Teacher in Mt. Lebanon.
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Paul and Donna Fox co-founded the Carnegie Mellon University Youth Orchestra, which Paul Fox directed from 1980 to 1983.
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Paul Fox earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music and a Master of Fine Arts in Music Education from Carnegie Mellon University. He is secretary/treasurer of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) - District One, and a member of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA), The National School Orchestra Association and Music Educators National Conference (MENC).
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Donna Fox earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Master of Fine Arts in Music from Carnegie Mellon University. She is editor and past president of the Pennsylvania-Delaware String Teachers Association and a state board member of PMEA. In addition, she is a member of the American String Teachers Association, Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association (PMEA) and Music Educators National Conference (MENC).
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Mr. Critser studied Music Composition at Northwestern University. An experienced conductor, instrumentalist and composer, he has taught privately in Mt. Lebanon since 1965.
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Complementary direction is provided by Assistant Director Mr. Greg Zawacki for the Brass Ensemble and Ms. Kerry Conners for the Woodwind Ensemble. Mrs. Catherine McClelland serves as Program Coordinator and Mrs. Janet Vukotich is the Managing Director. All are parents or alumni of the orchestra with a history of dedicated involvement in music performance programs in the community and public schools.
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BOOSTER ORGANIZATION
The South Hills Junior Orchestra Booster Organization is an incorporated non-profit organization which is staffed by parents and friends of the orchestra on a volunteer basis. It provides financial and administrative support to the orchestra, including music scholarships, social activities and organizing an annual trip. Fundraising activities help underwrite concert expenses, scholarships and special performance opportunities
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South Hills Junior Orchestra is grateful for the generosity of the Upper St. Clair School District which donates the rehearsal space, insurance and some instruments. The orchestra performances are open to the public.
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PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS
South Hills Junior Orchestra plays two formal concerts each year, a Fall Concert in November and a Spring Concert in May. Both concerts are free and open to the public. The dates for the concerts during the 2006-2007 Season are:
Fall Concert - November 4, 2007
Spring Concert - May 18, 2008
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Each year, the orchestra also plays a holiday concert in a local mall. For the 2006-2007 season, the holiday concert was at the Morgantown Mall in Morgantown on December 10, 2006. In previous seasons, the orchestra has played at Pittsburgh Mills, The Galleria and South Hills Village. This concert gives the students an opportunity to conduct the orchestra in holiday favorites.
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In June each year, the Orchestra takes its annual trip to a location outside of the Pittsburgh area. In the past years, the Orchestra has played in the following locations:
| Washington, DC |
Lincoln Memorial |
| Toronto, Canada |
Toronto City Hall |
| Boston, MA |
Fanueil Hall |
| Harrisburg, PA |
State Capitol Rotunda |
| Baltimore, MD |
Harborplace |
| Columbus, OH |
Ameriflora |
| Philadelphia, PA |
Rose Tree Park |
| Williamsburg, VA |
Colonial Williamsburg |
| Dearborn, MI |
Greenfield Village |
| Hershey, PA |
Hershey Symphony Side-by-Side |
| Lexington, KY |
Henry Clay Museum |
| Annapolis, MD |
Annapolis Harbor |
| Cleveland, OH |
Willoughby Fine Arts School |
| Dearborn, MI |
St. Mary's Park, Monroe, MI |
| Columbus, OH |
Ohio State House |
| Central Pennsylvania |
State Capitol and Gettysburg |
| Lewiston, NY |
Taste of Lewiston |
| Cumberland, MD |
Cumberland Train Station |
| Louisville, KY |
Belle of Louisville |
In addition to formal concerts at these locations, the orchestra also plays a second concert during the trip, usually at a retirement community or assisted-living facility. See the current calendar for the dates of this season's trip
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DEMOGRAPHICS
Last season, members of South Hills Junior Orchestra come from 34 different public, private and parochial schools in 18 School Districts throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania. Approximately 10% of the students are homeschooled.
The following schools are represented:
| Baldwin-Whitehall |
Chartiers Valley |
Peters Township |
| Bethel Park |
Chartiers-Houston |
South Fayette |
| Bethlehem-Center |
Diocese of Pittsburgh |
Trinity |
| Canon-McMillan |
Keystone Oaks |
Upper St. Clair |
| Carlynton |
Mt. Lebanon |
Wilson Christian Academy |
| Central Christian Academy |
PA Cyber Charter School |
West Mifflin |
The average member of SHJO is in the 8th grade and is 14 years old. Students range in age from 8 to 18 and are in grades 3 through 12. |
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