Since the start of the school year, the Lexington High School Chamber Orchestra has expanded their social media presence, going viral on Instagram and attracting millions of views. 

As the highest-level orchestra at LHS, Chamber Orchestra has consistently demonstrated excellence in their musical abilities. Over the years, they have earned many awards, including a silver medal at the 2024 National Orchestra Festival in Louisville, Kentucky.

In the wake of the pandemic, much of the world’s focus shifted to building online communities and enhancing their presence through social media. Chamber Orchestra was no exception.

“[Our social media expansion] started on a whim,” Daniel Kim, a senior cellist, said.    

The account was initially just an outlet for creative orchestral content, featuring a blend of humor and music. 

“Nothing really prompted it, we had ideas for funny orchestra skits and decided to upload them,” Raphael LeDonne, a senior violinist, said. 

Known particularly for their reel-content, Chamber Orchestra’s Instagram account, @lhschamberorchestra, has since gained hundreds of thousands of views. The account’s content features humorous moments in the orchestra, relatable student experiences, and short skits. Their recent reel, “POV: the concertmaster gets a bit TOO into the music” garnered over 800,000 views and 60,000 likes.

Despite their growing social media success, the students are careful to ensure creating content doesn’t interfere with their primary focus of performing music.

“We use our frees, occasionally before or after school, and sometimes while people are setting up for orchestra,” Andie Zhu, a senior violist, said.             

 Creating content has had a huge impact within the LHS orchestra community.

“I think it’s raised a stronger sense of community and pride in being an LHS Chamber Orchestra member and helped with recognition across the student body,” Kim said.

The orchestra’s social media presence also serves to additionally promote upcoming events and encourage a larger audience of students to attend performances. 

“[We want to] get LHS Chamber Orchestra more out there whether it’s concerts at the auditorium or events during I Blocks,” Kim said. 

Members of Chamber Orchestra also look at the account as a tool to spread awareness about the LHS Performing Arts Department.

“We want to bring more publicity to the LHS music program,” Zhu said.  

The group’s efforts have not gone unnoticed, with their reels achieving high engagement and visibility in the greater online community as well.

With its growing outreach, Chamber Orchestra is not only focusing on building an online following but also fostering pride within the community.

“Everyone loves being in [skits] and pitching ideas,” Le Donne said.

In the future, Chamber Orchestra plans to expand its reach to even more people and encourage them to see their work.  

“We’re in the process of preparing more I Block performances and we’d be excited to welcome anyone to our audience,” Kim added.