Friends of the Orchestra -George Washington Middle School (Foto)

Music transforms lives!

Orchestra is more than an elective that students select in middle school; music opens the mind, lifts the heart, and provides experiences beyond the everyday.  Friends of the George Washington Orchestra (FOTO) is dedicated to raising money to support these experiences. 

Under the steadfast direction of Jonathan Jones, The GW Middle School Orchestra has been the recipient of many awards and accolades over the past decade.  They regularly receive superior ratings at orchestra competitions.  Most recently they won “Best Overall String Orchestra” at the 2015 Music in the Parks Festival.

Our goals are modest. Our hope is to give each orchestra student the chance, at least once during their middle school years, to experience the cultural life of a new city. 

Three years ago, we were able to take 50 orchestra students to New York City where they attended a workshop with a member of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra; shared a music exchange evening with a middle school in New Jersey; and attended a performance at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.  Last year, we traveled to Boston, and with your help, we would like to travel to Philadelphia in 2018.  Please support the orchestra.  Thank you.