About Us
Princess Anne High School Orchestras, directed by Mrs. Mary Ann Hughes, consist of young string musicians who attend Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia. PAHS Orchestras consistently enter a large percentage of its players into the SE Senior Regional Orchestra and a significant showing in the All-Virginia Orchestra. They strive for excellence in all of their endeavors. They perform music and learn about the culture, composers and music of the Baroque Era, the Classical Era, the Romantic Era and the Twentieth Century. They perform music of different genres – jazz, rock, Broadway musicals, movies and video games, as well as music of the Beatles and Mannheim Steamroller. PAHS Orchestras also perform music of different cultures – Celtic music, music of China, Africa, India and more.
The PAHS Chamber Orchestra performed Faure’s Requiem with the chorus of First Presbyterian Church in Virginia Beach, performed works by Vaughan Williams with Granby High School Chamber Orchestra and professional harpist, Vince Zentner, and performed Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with Cape Henry Collegiate and KEYS orchestras and guest soloist, Jorge Aguirre. The members of Chamber Orchestra play in the pit orchestra for PAHS Musicals alongside professional wind and percussion players.
PAHS Orchestras are divided into three ensembles:
The PAHS Chamber Orchestra performed Faure’s Requiem with the chorus of First Presbyterian Church in Virginia Beach, performed works by Vaughan Williams with Granby High School Chamber Orchestra and professional harpist, Vince Zentner, and performed Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with Cape Henry Collegiate and KEYS orchestras and guest soloist, Jorge Aguirre. The members of Chamber Orchestra play in the pit orchestra for PAHS Musicals alongside professional wind and percussion players.
PAHS Orchestras are divided into three ensembles:
Chamber Orchestra
(Artist Level) By audition only. Students must demonstrate that they possess advanced technique. They are required to take weekly private lessons and practice 45-60 minutes per day, every day. This advanced ensemble requires a big time commitment. Chamber Orchestra members are required to participate in more performances than in the other groups. The pieces are longer and more challenging. Members may be required to play in the pit orchestra for the musical in the spring. Students in Chamber Orchestra are required to audition for Senior Regional Orchestra in September (fee $5.00). They will need to prepare the Symphony/Chamber audition piece and scales. This will also be used for their first Performance Assessment. Students in Chamber Orchestra may be required to rehearse weekly after school. Chamber Orchestra must be a “balanced” ensemble – the number of players in each section will be determined by an overall balance of sections in the group. Chamber Orchestra performs professional-level literature (grade 6 as stated in the VMEA manual).
String Ensemble
(Advanced) By audition only. Students must demonstrate that they possess advanced technique. They are required to practice at least 30 minutes every day. It is recommended, but not required, that students in String Ensemble take private lessons. Students in String Ensemble are required to audition for Senior Regional Orchestra in September (fee $5.00). Juniors & seniors will need to prepare the Symphony/Chamber audition piece & scales and freshman & sophomores will need to prepare the Preparatory audition piece & scales. This will also be used for their first Performance Assessment. Students in String Ensemble may be required to rehearse weekly after school. Students must be willing to make a big time commitment to orchestra. PAHS’ String Ensemble performs advanced literature (challenging grade 5 or grade 6 as stated in the VMEA manual).
Concert Orchestra
(Intermediate) Students must demonstrate that they possess intermediate technique. They are required to practice at least 30 minutes every day. It is recommended, but not required, that students in Concert Orchestra take private lessons. It is recommended, but not required, that students in Concert Orchestra audition for Senior Regional Orchestra in September (fee $5.00). Juniors & seniors will need to prepare the Symphony/Chamber audition piece & scales and freshman & sophomores will need to prepare the Preparatory audition piece & scales. This will also be used for their first Performance Assessment. Students in Concert Orchestra may be required to rehearse after school. Concert Orchestra performs advanced-intermediate literature (grade 5 as stated in the VMEA manual).