Student Musicians To Perform With FSO Director

Mount Vernon High School’s student musicians will have a unique opportunity to perform with guest conductor Fairfax Symphony Orchestra Maestro Christopher Zimmerman.  

Before the Major Orchestra competes in a district-wide orchestra assessment next month, they will perform traditional orchestral literature and more modern pieces for friends, family and community members tonight at Mount Vernon High School.

This show gives the students an opportunity to perform “at home” in preparation for their representation at the district-wide orchestra assessment (formerly “Festival”) that will take place in March, according to MVHS Orchestra Director Timothy Gaffga.

The evening will feature a short performance by the talents of the pyramid’s elementary school strings combining as the Area Orchestra, Whitman Middle School Concert and Sinfonia Orchestras, as well as the MVHS Symphony and Chamber ensembles.

“This is a great event for all the kids in our pyramid to collaborate, and listen to each other,” Gaffga said. “It’s an amazing chance for these students to experience each other’s performances.”

Born in England, Zimmerman debuted with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and had engagements with the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. He has conducted many orchestras including the Prague Symphony, the Slovak Philharmonic, the Seoul Philharmonic, the Mexico City Philharmonic and the Hartford Symphony. He most recently served 10 years as music director of the Hartt Symphony and Primrose Fuller Professor of Orchestral Studies at the Hartt School in Connecticut.

“We are honored to have Maestro Zimmerman join us as he helps to assess the performances of the ensembles in preparation for the March Assessment event. We are equally honored to have him serve as a guest conductor for the Chamber Orchestra,” he said.

Fairfax County Public Schools and the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra have recently agreed to expand their partnership to provide more opportunities for professional musicians to work with students. FCPS and the FSO have worked to encourage students’ love for music via in-school education programs for over thirty years.

The students will also have the opportunity to receive professional feedback. Maestro Zimmerman, as well as JEB Stuart High School Director of Orchestras Cassandra Strange, will attend the event as official "judges."

“This will help our students further prepare in rehearsals following the performance, as we lead up to the Assessment event next month,” Gaffga said.

Tonight’s concert will take place in the Little Theater at 7 p.m.