Starting new community orchestras

[Treestump]

For the benefit of those people who want to start new community orchestras.

If given a choice would people like a new community orchestra to concentrate on adult education with the conductor and sectional rehearsal teachers concentrating on musical style, instrumental technique, phrasing etc and leaving note learning to members, but with no concerts just playing and learning about music for itself?

Or, would people prefer an orchestra that doesn't go into great detail about the music, helps people to learn notes in rehearsals, and because there are going to be at least 5 concerts a year doesn't worry too much about style as long as all members can play all the notes?

[Scott Good]

Originally Posted by Treestump

For the benefit of those people who want to start new community orchestras.

If given a choice would people like a new community orchestra to concentrate on adult education with the conductor and sectional rehearsal teachers concentrating on musical style, instrumental technique, phrasing etc and leaving note learning to members, but with no concerts just playing and learning about music for itself?

Or, would people prefer an orchestra that doesn't go into great detail about the music, helps people to learn notes in rehearsals, and because there are going to be at least 5 concerts a year doesn't worry too much about style as long as all members can play all the notes?

A sweet spot in the middle.

My experience working with amateur musicians has been mostly positive. The expectations have to be measured to ability and time of the members, but my feeling is that if people are making the commitment, they want it to be good - something to be proud of. And adults can handle sophisticated ideas about musicality, even if their fingers have some troubles making it happen.

I would also say, being the particular kind of person I am, that involvement with composers is a good idea - ones that understand the limitations, but can still write an artistically invigorating work within the technical limits.

Scott