Jay Larkin is the Orchestra Director at Granby High School in Norfolk, Virginia. Since his arrival, the program has nearly tripled. Mr. Larkin’s ensembles have received many Superior ratings at the State Assessments, and has Grade 4, 5, and 6 level groups that regularly perform there.
Mr. Larkin also teaches Music Theory, AP Music Theory, and for the past 10 years, IB Music, in which he has had a 98 percent pass rate. Additionally, he is the Director of the Norfolk Public Schools Strolling Silver Strings Program.
Mr. Larkin received his B.S. in Music Education and Performance from Eastern Nazarene College, in Boston, and an M.Mus in Performance from Penn State University, where he was the Graduate Assistant for Choral Music. His principal teachers are Per Brevig, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Michael Powell, Juilliard, and Mark Lusk, Penn State
Jay is a trombonist. He has played Tenor and Bass Trombones with the Virginia Symphony, VSO Pops, and has sung with the VA Opera Chorus. He is in his 31st year as Principal Trombone with Symphonicity, The Orchestra of Virginia Beach, and is in year 26 with the Virginia Wind Symphony as its Bass Trombonist. He has played 15 seasons with the Tidewater Winds. Previously, he freelanced as a Trombonist, Percussionist, and Singer in NYC, NJ, PA, and Boston.
Strange, but true:
* Is the only Director in Virginia to have received a Grade 6 Superior with both Band and Orchestra.
** Sang Barbershop Quartet in college
***Was a singing waiter on the Spirit of Norfolk
**** Drives a Prius