About

The Central Pennsylvania Homeschool Orchestra is a non-profit association formed to provide an opportunity for homeschooled musicians to play in a professionally run ensemble setting. We also welcome the participation of cyber-charter students as well as public and private school students who are able to conform to our rehearsal and performance schedule. Though our regular rehearsal and performance venue is a church and we open rehearsals and performances in Christian prayer, students of any or no faith tradition are welcome to participate with CPHO.

CPHO plays a variety of music – Classical, contemporary, show tunes, composer medleys – in a traditional orchestral setting. Musicians must pass an audition to ensure not only that they have the skills to contribute to the orchestra, but also that they will benefit from their experience with CPHO (see our Membership page to find out how CPHO provides opportunities for beginning musicians while still challenging more seasoned players.) Musicians are expected to have their own instruments and take lessons privately, except for percussionists; for them CPHO provides instruments and training.

Because musicians must be able to behave maturely and to receive correction gracefully during rehearsals and performances, our membership is generally composed of middle and high school age students, although exceptional younger musicians may be accepted.

Barry Clay has been conducting CPHO since 2001. A homeschooling father, and a Federal government employee for over thirty years, Mr. Clay brings a lifetime of musical training and experience to his role at CPHO. An accomplished singer, pianist, and clarinetist, Mr. Clay also writes and arranges music: he has written four musicals (two of which were performed in this area), three piano sonatas, one piano etude, one art song, many Christian choral numbers and over thirty works for CPHO. Mr. Clay seeks to motivate our members to go beyond their perceived limits; they invariably rise to the challenge.

Muriel Hergenroeder has been the CPHO administrator since 2008. Having homeschooled her children all the way to college, Mrs. Hergenroeder is happy to now utilize her secretarial training in the service of the orchestra. She can be reached at 717-776-7946 or info@cphomusic.org.