Balalaika
Three strings and a three-sided body, in five sizes from the small prima to the floor-standing contrabass.
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Between concerts
Come hear us rehearse
Our next concert season is being planned now. In the meantime, the orchestra rehearses year-round, and visitors and new musicians are always welcome — no audition necessary.
Visit a rehearsal
When we play
Wednesday evenings
7:30 PM · Arlington, VA
The full orchestra rehearses year-round. Musicians arrive by 7:15 to set up, tune and get ready to play.
Saturday mornings
10:00 AM – noon · Bailey's Crossroads
Smaller rehearsals, mainly for string and wind players — like a private lesson. Always announced in advance.
Get the location
For the exact rehearsal location, email us or call/text.
The instruments
Meet the orchestra's instruments
More than half of our members learned these instruments after joining. Lessons and loaner instruments are available.
Domra
A round-bodied instrument played with a pick. Violin and mandolin players find it an easy switch.
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Bayan
The Russian button accordion, with a rich, organ-like sound that fills out the orchestra.
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Welcome
Are you a musician looking for an orchestra?
We are a community orchestra of more than 50 musicians who love to play music together, performing a wide variety of music from around the world on authentic folk instruments.
If you know the violin or mandolin, you'll find an easy transition to the domra. If you play guitar, the balalaika is a fun change! We also have flutes, oboes, clarinets, accordions, bayans, and a gusli (similar to a zither or psaltery). We have folk instruments to lend and conservatory-trained teachers to teach.
We are also a community of friends. Members enjoy the warmth and hospitality of the group, and we encourage people of all ages to join the fun.
“We don't stop playing because we grow old — we grow old because we stop playing.”
Hope to see you soon! For information, email balalaika@balalaika.org.
Follow the orchestra
Concert news, rehearsal photos and videos.