High standard community orchestras for ex music students

[Treestump]

I had been wondering if it would be possible to start some really high standard community orchestras for ex music students to play in to keep their playing standards up, and to give them something to practise for? Also those that can't earn a living playing because there isn't enough work can carry on playing with others of a similar standard.

I am now wondering if it is in fact possible to do this?

Are there any orchestras that are like this?

Anything in the UK that says grade 8 standard or grade 8 plus for new members isn't even close the the standard that many conservatoire students have reached when they leave college.

Any ideas?

[ReinerTorheit]

http://www.lro.org.uk/normal.asp?pageid=4

[Treestump]

I looked at the website. They say that they are short of all strings, horns, trombones, and trumpets. How are they going to do Tchaikovsky with vacancies for horns trombones and trumpets.I don't think it is a very popular orchestra?

[ReinerTorheit]

Originally Posted by Treestump

How are they going to do Tchaikovsky with vacancies for horns trombones and trumpets.

First they recruit the players. Then they do the piece.

That's how all music-making is done.

If they fail to recruit the players, they do something else.

[Treestump]

If they don't get enough string players and brass, what do they play? It just says that new members need orchestral experience, that doesn't strike me as being any different from the many other amateur orchestras in the London area.

I was thinking more along the lines of audition only. A better standard than The Rehearsal Orchestra.

[ReinerTorheit]

I'm sorry I was unable to suggest anything better.

[Treestump]

Originally Posted by ReinerTorheit

I'm sorry I was unable to suggest anything better.

I don't think there is anything. Perhaps someone should think of starting something that auditions every year like most good choirs do.

[Aran]

+ +

[Treestump]

I am sure that you don't mean the BBC Concert Orchestra in the context of amateur orchestras. The BBC Concert Orchestra is a professional orchestra. No one will get into this with only grade 8.

Conservatoire students do not want to play in an orchestra where the minimum standard is grade 8, as this is very low. They probably took grade 8 and got a distinction in it when they were less than 14 years old. Many violin students take grade 8 at primary school. Good players can pass grade 8 two years after starting. So a conservatoire student who passes grade 8 with distinction at age 14 will be well above the standard to pass dipABRSM before they start at Conservatoire. By the time they leave college they will have reached the standard where they would be able to teach dip ABRSM to a pupil. Someone who can do this would not be interested in playing with people of a similar standard.

For myself I have no interest at all in playing in a group that describes itself at such a low standard as grade 8. I am an amateur player who got to grade 8 pieces standard after about 16 months on my 2nd instrument. I have now been playing for 12 years and am still improving at the same speed. I know someone who passed grade 8 on a second instrument 6 months after starting. Grade 8 really is an exam that beginners take. Some people find passing it very difficult but that doesn't mean that the exam is a high standard, it just means that they find it difficult. In terms of education it is comparable to an A level or an AS level.

[Aran]

In which case, if you are so good, why not join a professional orchestra? My friend in the BBC Concert Orchestra is professionally a lawyer. About 1/4 of the members in our local orchestra are ex-professionals, I don't know about jobless ex-conservatoire.

Originally Posted by Treestump

I don't think there is anything. Perhaps someone should think of starting something that auditions every year like most good choirs do.

Perhaps that someone is you.