The Lake Braddock Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Clayton Allen received a Virginia House Resolution on Tuesday, May 16, commemorating the Chamber Orchestra’s performance at the National Association for Music Education conference. This award was presented by Delegate Dan Helmer.

When he received a notification about the award, "You can imagine my surprise," Allen said. "I was speechless and overjoyed with great pride in my students."  

Read the resolution below. 

"In the 49-year history of the Lake Braddock Orchestra program, this is the highest performance recognition award that has been bestowed upon the program," Allen added. "It is a great honor for the Chamber Orchestra."

HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 480

Commending the Lake Braddock Secondary School chamber orchestra.

Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 24, 2023

WHEREAS, the Lake Braddock Secondary School chamber orchestra, under the direction of Clayton Allen, enjoyed the honor and privilege of performing during the 2022 National Association for Music Education National Conference on November 4, 2022; and WHEREAS, each year, the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) holds a prestigious national conference where high-level elementary, middle, and high school ensembles and university groups are selected to perform based on unmarked recordings of previous performances; and WHEREAS, the Lake Braddock Secondary School chamber orchestra, one of the school's middle school orchestra groups, performed at The Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, on the outside main stage as part of the NAfME conference festivities; and WHEREAS, the accomplishments of the Lake Braddock Secondary School chamber orchestra are the results of the hard work and dedication of the students, the leadership and guidance of their director and teachers, and the unwavering support of the entire Lake Braddock Secondary School community; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the Lake Braddock Secondary School chamber orchestra hereby be commended for being selected to perform at the 2022 National Association for Music Education National Conference; and, be it RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Clayton Allen, director of the Lake Braddock Secondary School chamber orchestra, as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for the orchestra's achievements.