VCO Education Programs
The Musical Side of Thomas Jefferson

Viewers explore Thomas Jefferson’s less widely known talents and interests as they learn about the music of the Colonial period, played and collected by our third president. This program introduces students to the folk and classical music played in Colonial and Early American times. Lively discussion features Bill Barker, noted Jefferson interpreter from Colonial Williamsburg, and Luis Haza, conductor of the Virginia Chamber Orchestra. They also respond to questions posed in real time from students in the United States and Mexico. Students from a magnet school for the arts and sciences demonstrate how they use computers to learn about music.

Produced by the Fairfax Network and originally targeted to public school students, this program was subsequently also requested for additional broadcast to all community colleges nationwide, via an uplink at George Mason University's Capitol Connection.