The Blue Ridge Chamber Orchestra is a classical string ensemble of roughly two dozen musicians who love playing and performing, and who seek the camaraderie of others who share this vocation. For nearly two decades, the BRCO has provided this opportunity. Orchestra members include adult musicians of all ages from Charlottesville and surrounding central Virginia. Our membership includes local music teachers and semiprofessional performers, veterans of high school and college orchestras, and advanced/intermediate adult learners.

We try to increase local interest in chamber and orchestral music through our concerts, normally free to the public. Our two or three programs each year have featured local musicians as soloists, and music by local composers.

As a dynamic community organization, we are always open to adding new members. Please contact us if you are interested in joining. We rehearse on most Monday evenings during the academic year, currently at the Sojourners UCC church located at the corner of Monticello Ave. and Elliot St. in the Belmont neighborhood of Charlottesville.

Join us:   If you think you might enjoy playing with the BRCO, please contact Hank at hschutz or (434)-979-5413. We will taking our spring break after June 3, and are likely to start rehearsals again Monday, September 8.  These will generally be Monday evenings from 7:30-9:30 at Sojourners United Church of Christ, 1017 Elliot Ave., Charlottesville. 

Support us:   The expenses of the orchestra are primarily met through member's dues and the contributions of supporters. We have official nonprofit status, and contributions to the BRCO are tax deductible. If you are interested in supporting us financially, checks may be made payable to "Blue Ridge Chamber Orchestra" and sent to 1685 Union Mills Rd., Troy, VA 22974.

The BRCO was founded in 1988 by local violinist and teacher Alexandra McCracken, with the purpose of providing a setting in which adult musicians of varying musical backgrounds might experience the joy of making music in a collegial, non-competitive setting.

When Ms. McCracken left the area in the early 1990's, the conductor's baton was passed to Richard Baritaud. In this period, the orchestra regularly played concerts at the new Senior Center: we still maintain a variant of this tradition by playing "dress rehearsal" concerts at various of the local area retirement communities.

Paul Kim, a graduate student of conducting at U VA, directed the orchestra in 2002. When he was called up for army reserve duties the next year, local musician and conductor Eric Stassen ably guided us through our next concert.

Since fall of 2003, the BRCO has been reunited with Richard Baritaud. Our spring 2004 concert included the premiere of Paul Kim's Dave Matthews Band Concerto, guest conducted by the composer.  Various of our concerts have featured pieces by Walter Ross. We have played as part of both the Jefferson Thanksgiving Festival, and the downtown Bach's Lunch series of concerts.

From the orchestra's beginning, the concertmaster has been Hank Schutz. Today, Hank's musical leadership and enthusiasm continues unabated.

Over the years, we have been lucky to have had some wonderful local music teachers play with us, including Lianne Campbell, Mary Wirth, Penny Christiansen, Freyda Epstein, and Brooke Mahanes.