CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) —Local musical students generally play to a limited audience. But this week, two groups from Albemarle County High School, one from Charlottesville High School and one from the University of Virginia, will have their performances broadcast on local radio and the internet.

“Family and friends of students can listen to them, whether they are in California or in Scottsville,” CHS choir director Will Cooke told Cville Right Now. “So, it’s kind of nice to be able to tune in and hear that.”

As part of its annual classical marathon from Dec. 8-14, WTJU will feature five live performances from local student ensembles from Charlottesville and Albemarle High School, as well as a quartet from the University of Virginia.

The station, located off of Ivy Road near UVA grounds, will kick off five straight nights of live performances, starting with the Charlottesville High School Choir on Monday, followed by the UVA chamber quartet 1 Hz Sharp on Tuesday, Albemarle High School String Ensemble on Wednesday, AHS Patriot Singers and Acapella groups No Fella and Minutemen on Thursday and finally, CHS Orchestra on Friday. Each hour-long performance will begin at 7 p.m.

“The way we can bring in these vibrant young musicians in Virginia, it really does show how much music is woven into our community,” WTJU general manager Nathan Moore told Cville Right Now. “How rich our musical culture is here in this town, and I’m thrilled that we get to put it on the radio and share it with everybody.”

This will be the station’s second year highlighting student ensembles as part of its marathon. AHS’s String Ensemble and Choral Ensemble participated last year. Reflecting on their first performance, AHS Director of Orchestras Carrie Finnegan said it was “a really interesting experience” for her students.

For starters, the studio itself presents a challenge in terms of space, as Moore said the fire capacity for the room is only 49 people. AHS Choral Director Jennifer Morris recalled how it was “a little tricky” to fit her group into the space, although they had a much easier time than the Orchestra with their instruments. Finnegan had a similar recollection.

“Our group last year was about 25,” she said. “We took up every inch of that space.”

Finnegan also recalled how it was many of her students’ first experience being mic’d, which she called “cool” for them to go through.

Overall, both directors said their ensembles enjoyed the performance.

“When we finished the hour, everyone was like, ‘Oh my gosh, that was amazing,’” Morris said.

This year, both will be joined by the CHS Choir. Cooke said he and his students are excited about the opportunity, and he particularly highlighted how valuable he believes it is that it will be broadcasted both over the airwaves and online. 

The performances and marathon as a whole are a part of WTJU’s unique pledge drives, in which they dedicate a whole week of airtime to one particular genre, with December always marking the classical marathon. Adding to the importance of this drive, WTJU, like all public and community radio stations, is no longer federally funded.

“That blows a big hole in my budget for next year and every year after,” he said. “So really, if folks have never given before, this is really a great year to give. If they’ve given $50 in the past, reach deeper and see if you can give $100.”