Lake Braddock Pyramid Parent Orchestra

The Lake Braddock Pyramid Parent Orchestra is the brain child of first year Strings teacher Anne Ray, who currently teaches at Ravensworth ES, Annandale Terrance ES, Sleepy Hollow ES, and Mount Eagle ES.  (She supported our strings here at Kings Glen ES, last year.) The orchestra is made up of parents who have students in the Strings program in the Lake Braddock Pyramid as well as some staff members who work throughout the Lake Braddock Pyramid.

Mrs. Ray’s vision was for parents to see first hand what it is like to play an instrument for the first time and to also share in the experience of music making with other adults and to connect with their own children who play a musical instrument. Currently there are 20 members in the group. They are gearing up to perform on the Lake Braddock Middle School Orchestra Concert on May 14.

Rehearsals are held twice a month at Lake Braddock Secondary School and led by Anne Ray and Dr. Michelle Keenan, who teaches at Kings Glen ES. For students who cannot make a rehearsal, Mrs. Ray shares all materials and homework via email. The adult students work very hard when they are not in class and are very diligent in their approach. They often stay after class sessions and discuss material taught. In addition, they also have a Google chat group where they share practice ideas, new things they learned, and problem solve together.

Anne Ray had some experience in teaching a Beginning Adult Orchestra prior to coming to Fairfax County Public Schools. She helped a similar program at Plano Senior High School, conducting an orchestra there made up of 30 members. She knew first-hand how much the adult students wanted the opportunity to connect with their own children who played stringed instruments in a more concrete way, and learned that many other discoveries were taking place. The children became the teachers at home and enjoyed helping their parents learn their instrument. The adult student gained a deep respect for what their children were accomplishing and realized the importance of practicing!  It is a time for the parents to connect with their student in a new way, while also making friends with parents of children who share the same interest!

Many of the adult students have expressed thoughts of continuing their instrument with a “second year” group, and several parents and teachers have already asked to join the “beginner group” next year! The directors hope to guide these adult learners in their new found passion. It is never too late to learn!