50 state string orchestra project
JR JEERAKUL + thomas EDISON HIGH SCHOOL ORCHESTRAS
ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA
Thomas Edison High School has the proud distinction of housing two string orchestras, the Concert Orchestra and the Chamber Orchestra. Both groups have an exciting schedule of concert performances this year, both at Thomas Edison HS and in public venues. Last year the Chamber Orchestra earned the highest possible ratings at the District X Orchestra Festival, receiving a "Superior" rating from every judge. This achievement, along with the festival performances of the Edison Band and Choir, earned Thomas Edison the "Blue Ribbon School" award from the Virginia Music Educators Association. The orchestras at Thomas Edison are looking forward to seeing you at their next concert!
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Nathi “JR” Jeerakul, a Northern Virginia native, has taught private viola and violin lessons in the Northern Virginia/Washington D.C. area since 2014. JR recently graduated from George Mason University (GMU) with a Bachelor of Music with a concentration in Music Education and a minor in String Pedagogy. Prior to that, JR earned an Associates of Applied Arts in Music as well as an Associates of Science in General Studies from Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC). He has studied viola with Philippe Chao and pedagogy with Professor June Huang. During his time at GMU, JR held the offices of President and Vice President of the school’s chapter of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). He was also an avid performer with the Mason Symphony Orchestra, Mason Opera, and the Chamber Music Program.
about
the 50 state
string orchestra project
2022-2024
The 50 State String Orchestra Project is a large-scale consortium commission that is bringing new music to classrooms and concert halls all over the US in the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 seasons, with educational and community orchestras in all 50 states commissioning a new piece for string orchestra, similar in difficulty level and scope to Stephanie’s 2011 work for string orchestra Beyond the Gate. Her consortium commissions for chamber music have already brought new string-centered music all across the world, from her 50 State Sonata Project for violin + piano, inspired by the work of her teacher John Kendall, and her World Sonata Project, which was commissioned by violinists from 35 countries in 2016.