Hi,

This may be a strange question, but how would one go about joining an orchestra?

You see, having guitar as my first intrument made such things out of the question...but now that I play violin I feel this is something I would like to do. My only hesertation is what grade would you generally have to be, as I'm only grade 2?

Any advise would be greatly appreciated,
LG

1) It depends on the orchestra
2) you can but ask.

Find out about some local amateur orchestras and see if any will be willing to take you on.

(If you live in Gloucestershire I know one that would!)

If you don't ask, you don't get - ask around

Thanks, I will!

Ask your violin teacher - she might know of some things that you could join or may be able to direct you to the right contacts

This website has a list of amateur orchestras in the UK with contact details. The standard required to join varies quite a lot so you should be able to find one that you can join.

If there isn't a suitable one on the Amateur Orchestras web site (purple viola's post), does the Education or Leisure division of the council run "learner orchestras" on a Saturday? I belong to one through the music centre which strictly speaking is for G4/G5 players, and I just asked if I could sit in and listen (I'm G2), but they let me join in. I have to fake most of it, but it's great fun and I'm in a concert tomorrow night (hiding at the back!) so it's all good experience

Well, I've asked around and it seems I won't be able to join any of my local orchestras until I'm grade 6 or above!
The only orchestra I would be able to join would be my local youth orchestra, which is only very small and most of it's members are quiet a few years younger than me, well much younger, so I stick out quiet a bit.

Oh well...lar-de-dar...looks like I'll just have to wait!

Might be worth asking around and seeing if there are any other string players in your vicinity in a similar position - quartets etc would be fun and brilliant training ground for an orchestra.

Good idea! Thanks, I'll see what I can do

It is worth calling up and asking an orchestra rather than going by what they publish in their listings. Most Orchestras are more in need of string players than woodwind and brass. They may set the grade standard by what they want for a flute or clarinet where they may be oversubscribed and will accept rather less experience for violin.

Best of Luck

Earplugs is right, they do tend to expect less from string players - you can "make up the numbers" from a much earlier stage! I assumed that from your comment that you've asked around you've probably actually gone and found out rather than just looking at entry requirements, but if you've any doubt at all of whether an orchestra might be short of strings, do ask. Apart from anything else, if you're showing an interest now they will know you're enthusiastic later, and if you're persistent you never know what may happen.

Quartets etc would be a very fun intermediate stage though

We were at a Concert last night and there were lots of older people in the Youth Orchestra, the teachers often play too. You could always go along and see what it's like. Our Music Service also has a big band and I know they have guitars in it too although last night there was only a bassist.

Are there no community orchestras or string bands near you?

hi i am having the same problem my local orchestra is on a wednesday night when i have my flute lesson and i cant change this as my teacher is only in the area on wednesdays she is based in london and i dont drive as yet. i am thinking about starting my own wind / anything group just to learn to play with other people

Yes, I have I gone to these place to find out and asked the people there..not just read the requirements...I have too just keep my eyes open, in case anything comes up!

Until then I quiet keen on your quartet idea. I think the only problem might be finding other musicains though...well for me anyway, I don't know any other violinist/string players really!

I can understand your hesitation, but if they are willing to let you join - do give it a try. It can only improve your playing and any orchestral experience will help later on.


I've been thinking the same thing, that I would love to start a flute group locally basically because I want to play in one


I had that impression. At least you have made your name known so when you are at the standard they want you'll be "that girl who was keen to join even though she hadn't been playing long" - if you see what I mean.


Keep asking. Quartets are lovely but you can have a lot of fun just duets, and as a violinist there's usually lots of repertoire for whichever instrument you care to play with. Might be worth asking the organisers of local orchestras if they know anyone who is or might be interested in playing simple chamber music, or if they could ask their members. Ditto the youth orchestra - you might find some youngsters (or their parents) who would jump at the chance.

Thanks sarah-flute, I won't give up yet, I'll keep asking around!

Good for you!!

Would joining a youth orchestra and playing with younger members be a massive problem? I play flute in a youth windband which is all grade 5+ standard, but playing violin in the lower standard orchestra. I'm the oldest one there (I'm almost 17 - most of the others are between about 6 and 11), but I still really enjoy it.

Keep your eyes peeled for events too.

When I first started I saw an evening workshop advertised in the local music shop, any standard. I went along for the weekend and found myself (along with a few others I might add) being the interval item on Radio Two's Friday Night is Music Night!!

Then there is an annual event in Nottingham called 'Blow the Dust off your Instrument'. Anyone can go and join in, you get the music beforehand, and spend the day rehearsing together, and in the evening perform to family and friends.

And there is of course the ELLSO summer school!!


Also don't be put off by a 'no' from local orchestras...see if they will let you join in rehearsals for experience without playing in their concerts.

The girls have been in concerts this week, last night my daughter 12 played with the Suzuki Violins who are aged between 3 and 6, she enjoyed it and that's what is important. She never gets a chance to play violin in any of the string groups as she is always so busy with her wind instruments.

If any of the audience wondered what a big girl like her was doing with all the tinies, I'm sure they would have worked it out by the end, as she had a solo in senior Concert Band on Oboe.

That's a really good idea.

Thanks for all your advice and ideas, it been really helpful!

Thinking about it now, after reading what you've all said, I don't think I should let age put me off...otherwise it seems I'm going to have a long wait before I reach grade 6 and can join an orchestra.
I think I'm going to reconsider joining the youth orchestra. I could just go along one of the evenings it's on and give it ago. If I do feel like a duck out water then at least I'll know it's not for me, rather than just assuming it isn't...who knows I may enjoy it!
From what you've all told me age really doesn't seem like a problem when it comes to stuff like this, so I think I'm going to give it a go.

If the alternative is no orchestra, it has to be worth a try!


Once you're playing, you won't be nearly so aware of being relatively ancient I'm sure. Plus, orchestral experience will probably improve your playing, and make you a better prospect for joining future orchestras... depends on the orchestra, but some will be more interested in "G5 plus lots of orchestral experience" than "G6 or 7 but no experience of playing in ensembles".

I played in an orchestra for a year at the end of school that was WAY over my head - I was a nervous and demoralised G6, everyone else was G8 and brilliant. I managed, because I had a lot of orchestral experience, and I had a great time and improved a lot in confidence and ability.

If the higher level orchestras run short of violins in the future and you can say "I'm only grade X, BUT I have been playing in this orchestra for N years and this quartet too" then you will have more possibility of them thinking they should let you have a go

Go for it! Hope you have fun!

We have a junior and a senior orchestra, and at the enormous age of 50, I play in both, with , in the junior orchestra, children as young as 8. Once you are playing it makes no difference. I also struggle along in the senior orchestra, where everyone else is at least Grade 6 or above, sometimes I manage reasonably , otherwise I just try my best. Both experiences are worthwhile, although playing with the juniors is much more fun, but the senior orchestra makes you try music at a speed that you wouldn't dream of otherwise. I play viola and am about to take grade 4, the orchestra experience has been so helpful, and inspiring, it also helps to have a very patient and experienced violist at the same desk. Go for it, and see how you get on in rehearsals, in either setting you will thrive. Good luck.

I play in an orchestra with some players who were my fellow students, 1/3 my age, when I read music at the local Uni. and have some way to go before they get to 1/2.

I would like to revive this thread since I just started in a local college orchestra, only that my experience in playing strings is .... let's just say, very limited!!!

It was absolutely overwhelming. I was completely lost, the first week, I cannot even figure out where I was in the music. My goal went from playing the first note of each bar to "try not to make any noise during rest"!!

But playing with a group is VERY helpful! It forces me to practice sight reading, forces me to count, and just hearing how the violin fits in with other instruments is just pure pleasure!!

ANy tips for a lost beginner how to survive in an orchestra? I'm sticking with it till the conductor kicks me out.

I joined a student orchestra as 5th horn when I had three months experience with the horn (risky!!!) and I hated being the one to drag the section so I practised loads and eventually got promoted to the 2nd horn in 6 months (this was at least two hours practise a day). The section leader also helped me a lot by giving me some lessons and tips for free which was nice of him What drove me to try and be technically competent was the fact I hated being the one falling behind (and the principal horn was ever so helpful; can't say the same about the 3rd horn but...), so I guess you just have to find your own motivation to practise!

Also try and ask the section leader or your desk partner for some help; what I've found is that if you don't ask you very rarely get, plus it puts you in good light with the other people because everyone likes people who are humble and honest about their short comings.

Wow, you and I both!!! I joined the community college orchestra with just three months experience! I can't really practice alot on the orchestra music because it's REALLY hard. The last movement of the Haydn we're playing is really fast (presto) and i'm lucky if i can play the first note of each bar. Plus I still have my regular lesson's material to go over. And next week, the conductor will assign chamber pieces, I'm gonna throw up.

I am now regularly playing in two amateur orchestras, one local and one not so local and I have found them a tremendous help with my playing. It helps concentration, counting, listening and speed! I have gone from playing only some of the notes in each bar and constantly losing my place to playing most of the music and not losing my place. It is a very good discipline and you get to sight read constantly. I still need my fingers to move faster on the runs but I am learning to do this. I have played in one concert so far and looking forward to playing in the next one.

We played Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 last week and I loved it and wanted to play it again!

I would highly recommend joining an orchestra but obviously one where they don't mind what grade you are. The one that I sing with would expect you to be about Grade 6/7 before considering joining as they have a very high standard. Maybe I'll get there some day...

There are many adult holiday and occasional courses available, where you can meet like-minded players, restarters and enthusiastic amateurs. I'm sure there have been threads on this before, but my computer skills aren't up to finding them - perhaps anyone knows some of the links?

Here are a couple out of many possibilities:


Benslow House

http://www.benslow.org/

Dartington Music Festival

http://www.dartington.org/summer-school

ahhhh... unfortunately I live in the states.