The Introductory Orchestra
This orchestra was set up around Easter of 2014 when it was recognised that there was a lack of opportunities locally for musicians who had no experience whatsoever of playing in an ensemble with other musicians. This Orchestra was therefore set up to give less experienced or less confident players the chance to "dip their toe in the water" in a safe, friendly environment.
This orchestra is proving extremely popular and has more than doubled in size in the short time it has been running. The age range we have is currently from around 8 - 80! Any instrument is welcome and all we ask is that you have a basic grasp of your instrument and an ability to do basic music reading. We have more experienced players sitting in alongside Beginner players to provide support and confidence.
We choose carefully arranged classic and modern music, suitable for players new to the orchestra setting. Rehearsals will enable you to:
Another unique feature of this orchestra is the opportunity it gives to our more advanced players to gain some experience of conducting an orchestra. In the past 12 months we have had 2 local high school students (who are players in our Main Orchestra) taking the rehearsals and conducting at concerts - a great opportunity seldom on offer to youngsters. They both have plans to take their music careers further on leaving school, and have said that this experience has given them an enormous amount of confidence, a different "angle" to their musical knowledge, not to mention the all important life skills!
Rehearsals are on Saturdays, starting at 9:15 am and finishing around 10.30 am. See the Orchestra News page for half-term dates and other changes.
This orchestra is proving extremely popular and has more than doubled in size in the short time it has been running. The age range we have is currently from around 8 - 80! Any instrument is welcome and all we ask is that you have a basic grasp of your instrument and an ability to do basic music reading. We have more experienced players sitting in alongside Beginner players to provide support and confidence.
We choose carefully arranged classic and modern music, suitable for players new to the orchestra setting. Rehearsals will enable you to:
- Learn how to work with and follow a conductor
- Learn how to play alongside other musicians
- Gain an appreciation of orchestral playing and other instruments
- Learn to play pieces to perform at our concerts
- Build confidence and skills to move to the next level
Another unique feature of this orchestra is the opportunity it gives to our more advanced players to gain some experience of conducting an orchestra. In the past 12 months we have had 2 local high school students (who are players in our Main Orchestra) taking the rehearsals and conducting at concerts - a great opportunity seldom on offer to youngsters. They both have plans to take their music careers further on leaving school, and have said that this experience has given them an enormous amount of confidence, a different "angle" to their musical knowledge, not to mention the all important life skills!
Rehearsals are on Saturdays, starting at 9:15 am and finishing around 10.30 am. See the Orchestra News page for half-term dates and other changes.
Recent Repertoire
Beethoven (arr. Terry Kenny) - Excerpts from the Pastoral Symphony
Justin Hurwitz (arr Jonnie Vinson) - City of Stars
Sibelius (arr.Richard Mayer) - Finlandia
Rhet Stoller (arr Hicholas Hare) - Match of the Day
Alan Meken (arr. Paul Lavender) - Beauty and the Beast
Elgar (arr. Nicholas Hare) - Pomp and Circumstance March
Michael Perry - Calypso Carol
Leonard Bernstein - I feel Pretty from West Side Story
Beethoven (arr. Terry Kenny) - Excerpts from the Pastoral Symphony
Justin Hurwitz (arr Jonnie Vinson) - City of Stars
Sibelius (arr.Richard Mayer) - Finlandia
Rhet Stoller (arr Hicholas Hare) - Match of the Day
Alan Meken (arr. Paul Lavender) - Beauty and the Beast
Elgar (arr. Nicholas Hare) - Pomp and Circumstance March
Michael Perry - Calypso Carol
Leonard Bernstein - I feel Pretty from West Side Story
