Battlefield High orchestra plans bridal show fundraiser

The Battlefield High School Orchestra fundraiser is one with a twist that includes two disc jockeys, a bagpiper, jewelry vendors, a chocolatier and others who have to do with weddings.

It’s not your run-of-the-mill pancake breakfast or spaghetti dinner kind of thing.

Katy Thiele, the orchestra director at the high school, said the second-annual fundraiser on March 21 at the high school near Haymarket will double as a bridal show and serve a couple of purposes.

It will let the high school’s orchestra members get some insight on how they might put their talents to use to earn a little side money playing weddings down the road, and help brides with their wedding plans.

“I’m trying to train the kids on what they can do with their talent in the future,” said Thiele, who has been the orchestra director at the high school at 15000 Graduation Drive since it opened in 2004.

The draw for the brides is that they might find local people who offer wedding services.

“I’m trying to get vendors that are more local, that don’t have storefronts,” Thiele said.

In addition to the other entertainment, the high school’s 15-piece chamber orchestra will perform throughout the day at the free event.

Thiele said she will post song titles as the orchestra performs, so that the brides-to-be can decide if they like this or that musical selection.

If brides hear pieces they like, they can request the music from any ensemble they might hire.

“We’re ready to play lots of different songs that the brides might choose,” Thiele said.

This year’s performance will feature more orchestral musicians than last year, and the orchestra members say that’s good.

“We’re all diverse people. It used to be only seven in the chamber group. And now that more people came with good talent, it’ll be better,” said 16-year-old violist Marissa Benecke.

Violinist Kenny Chang said this year’s performance should come with a more dynamic sound.

“It’s a new experience with a whole new group of people, and we’re much more expanded now,” the 17-year-old Chang said. “Everyone seems pretty prepared and hyped up for everything.”

Cellist Daniel Lee said he hopes the brides like what they hear.

“We’re doing this for all of the brides in Prince William County, or this area, and we’re trying to play for them,” the 16-year-old Lee said.

Chang said the performances for the brides can be liberating when compared to sitting in front of an expectant audience.

“It’s actually kind of easier. It’s more enjoyable since they’re not pressuring you and staring at you. You’re just playing free interpretation,” Chang said.

The orchestra makes money by renting space to the 30 or more vendors who will attend the bridal show.

“It’s like a craft show, where we sell the space for the tables,” she said.

Thiele said she got the idea by trying to figure out a different way to raise money for the orchestra.

She thought about what orchestra students do that is unique and musical performance was the thing.

“The idea pretty much came when I was trying to do something as a fundraiser that did not have anything to do with items that we would have to buy or that the parents would have to buy,” she said. “We have a little different side to it because of the music.”

Manassas Bureau Chief Keith Walker can be reached at 703-369-6751.