The Instrumental Music Department offers professional training in a variety of individualized, jazz and orchestral instrumental music.  Opportunities in the department include: private instruction, chamber music / jazz combos, orchestral performances, big band performances, concert and cultural tours throughout the United States and abroad, music in medicine study and collaboration, formal recitals for individuals and small ensembles, ear training, sight reading, yoga, eurhythmics, keyboard skills, literature, improvisation, theory and audio engineering.  The program is designed to provide the greatest benefits of passionate, disciplined and individualized music education for students with a variety of career interests.

GSA Symphony Orchestra  

The GSA Orchestra presents three major concerts each year, modeling its programming after the traditions of the world's finest orchestras while staying ahead of the ever-evolving ways that orchestras can serve their loyal community of listeners. The GSA Orchestra orchestra was founded by Raymond Pancarowicz and has performed concerts internationally in Scotland, Germany, Italy, Poland, the Czech Republic, Canada and England. The Orchestra has also made debuts in some of the finest halls in the United States, including Carnegie Hall, Boston Symphony Hall and Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco. The orchestra currently performs in the historic Roper Performing Arts Center in downtown Norfolk, the Sandler Center for the Arts in Virginia Beach and other venues throughout the seven cities. The Music Director, Jeff Phelps, a 1995 Governor's School graduate, is honored to share the traditions that Raymond Pancarowicz set deeply into the soul and sound of the orchestra over his twenty years as director. The GSA Orchestra frequently features GSA student and guest soloists and has premiered works by GSA students.  Recent repertoire has included:  Prokofiev Symphony No. 5, Vaughan-Williams Symphony No. 2, Ives Three Places in New England, Shostakovich Symphony No. 12, Barber First Symphony, Marquez Danzon No. 2, Stravinsky Firebird and Dvorak Symphony No. 7.

Jazz and Big Band - The Governor's School for the Arts Jazz Studies is directed by Keith Philbrick and the Big Band is directed by Rob DeDominick

Elly Tier, GSA Class of 2012 - The Finale- a video on her thoughts of GSA  Link Here