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Last night I joined up with a local amateur symphony orchestra. Last time I played in an orchestra was back when I was 10 years old in grade school. So, basically this was an entirely new experience for me.
How did it go ?? Good and Bad. The good part... it was an interesting experience and I met some nice people and I learned a bit about...playing in an orchestra.
The bad part, it was extremely difficult (almost next to impossible) for me to play along with them. I did manage to play a few notes ouit of a few measures here and there but most of the time I just tried to listen to what everyone else was playing and trying to get a feel for what they were doing.
Another good part, nobody was judgemental or anything. And I wasn;t the oly person who had difficulty. And the conductor was nice and he encouraged me just to try to play what I can, even if it is very little... which in my case it was...very little 
Next rehersal is next week and I'll probably be there and give it another go.
BTW... here is a link to the orchestras website. It will give you a better idea of who we are and what music we are playing. Or in my case... trying to play.
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That sounds so exciting. I am sure you will do just fine.
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That sounds like so much fun!
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It is a lot of fun. Of course it will be more fun when I can play along better and as my playing skills improve.. But I am learning a lot already and getting a feel for how orchestral music is arranged and played.
I would strongly recommend joining an amateur orchestra if there is one in your area. It is a worthwhile experience. You'll be glad you did.
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That's brilliant..
Once you get to practice some of their repertoire in between orchestra practice, I'm sure your contribution and enjoyment will increase tenfold.
I wish there was an orchestra near me where I could join in but I think they are all way advanced and by invitation/audition only.
Shame coz we have a couple if wonderful music schools!
Best of luck and keep us posted with your progress, if only so we can live thru your experience
I am amazed at how old people of my age are.....
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What a great way to get really motivated to learn new things and get better fast! I wish I had something like that near me, too. Maybe there is; I haven't looked into it.
Good luck, Crazy! (Hope it's OK to call you Crazy.)
When the work's all done and the sun's settin' low,
I pull out my fiddle and I rosin up the bow.
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TerryT said
That's brilliant..
Once you get to practice some of their repertoire in between orchestra practice, I'm sure your contribution and enjoyment will increase tenfold.I wish there was an orchestra near me where I could join in but I think they are all way advanced and by invitation/audition only.
Shame coz we have a couple if wonderful music schools!Best of luck and keep us posted with your progress, if only so we can live thru your experience
I already downloaded some of the music listed in their repertoire so I can study it and familiarize myself with both the whole score and the different instrumental parts. as best I can/ I am also going to try and spend some time listening to recordings of these pieces so I can have a better sense of how they are supposed to sound. If I can play just a few more notes at next weeks rehearsal than I did this week I'll be happy.
This orchestra is interesting in that its an amateur orchestra comprised of all skill levels, from beginner to expert, but the music isn't watered down or selectively chosen for simplicity. The conductor has chosen some relatively complex pieces. I kind of like this approach because it forces me to stay focused and to learn.
Will keep everyone posted as to how it goes. I think this will be a fun and educational project for me, will help build my skills, and give me something interesting to share with the online group here in fiddlerman.com.
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KindaScratchy said
What a great way to get really motivated to learn new things and get better fast! I wish I had something like that near me, too. Maybe there is; I haven't looked into it.Good luck, Crazy! (Hope it's OK to call you Crazy.)
Thank you. It is definitely worth looking into and If there is such a orchestra or music group in your area definitely go for it. If not then if you can manage it may be worthwhile to try and start a local music group. Even if not an orchestra starting a local study or informal rehearsal group could be an interesting way to go.
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Thanks for this post CrazyM. It set me into action, and from a simple Google enquiry I have found about 50 local orchestras of various sizes and looking for varying abilities, from some looking for Grade 8 qualification to one, whose only requirement was to be able to play a scale!!
Now all I have to do is narrow my choice down and go and meet them on a practice night!
Splendid post!!
I am amazed at how old people of my age are.....
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I'm so curious about something...
Did everyone tune up to the 443Hz on the A string or leave it at the normal (?) 440Hz pitch freq.
"If you practice with your hands you must practice all day. Practice with your mind and you can accomplish the same amount in minutes." Nathan Milstein
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That's awesome! That's how you learn and share what you love. Here's a program in my area that I have been learning about:
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Here's a workshop that I will be attending:
http://www.pacificsymphony.org.....taf?p=6,11
Flufe, you and your daughter should check out this program... I've been hearing great things about it.
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It only gets easier with time. 
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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First of all...@ Crazy... That is soo awesome!! I hope soon you post some vids or audio or something of your Orchestra. That in itself would be very motivational.
TerryT said
Thanks for this post CrazyM. It set me into action, and from a simple Google enquiry I have found about 50 local orchestras of various sizes and looking for varying abilities, from some looking for Grade 8 qualification to one, whose only requirement was to be able to play a scale!!
Now all I have to do is narrow my choice down and go and meet them on a practice night!Splendid post!!
As for Terry... That is cool how his post got ya up and looking. If I had any talent to lend I would look too. Unfortunetly, right now I am still waaaaay to new to the violin. But It is good to know that their are amateur orchestras looking for regular people. Im glad ya found new hobby terry. CLASICAL!!
Good luck to both of you in your Journey! 
"Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree, it will live its entire life believing that it is stupid." -Albert Einstein
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cdennyb said
I'm so curious about something...Did everyone tune up to the 443Hz on the A string or leave it at the normal (?) 440Hz pitch freq.
I think that might depend on weather the orchestra has an oboe in it. I remember FM saying that the conductor asks the oboe for an A and the a on an oboe is 443Hz.
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Crazy, that's wonderful that you found a group to join. I haven't joined the local orchestra yet, but I love playing in class. We're getting our music for the winter concert now (it's never too soon to start). We're very rocky with the new pieces, but last class meeting we really did well on the theme from Jurassic Park. When we all played well together it gave me goose bumps! You're going to have so much fun! Good luck.
I've learned so much from my mistakes that I've decided to make some more.
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I need to find a good teacher to give me some one on one lessons if I can ever expect to play the stuff that this orchestra is playing. Since the orchestra is playing at a mucic conservatory I am sure someone there can hook me up with a teacher. The music is quite challenging and quite difficult (at least for me) and it not watered down in any way. It is the same stuff that sits on the stands of professional concert orchestras and just about all of it is way over my head and will take me quite a bit of intensive study before I can contribute more than a few notes here and there.
Of course this is based on my first impression and my first night. After a few rehearsals my opinion may change and I may start finding it a little bit easier.
I am wondering if perhaps I am demanding too much of myself too soon. But I'll stick with it for now and see how things go.
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TerryT said
Thanks for this post CrazyM. It set me into action, and from a simple Google enquiry I have found about 50 local orchestras of various sizes and looking for varying abilities, from some looking for Grade 8 qualification to one, whose only requirement was to be able to play a scale!!
Now all I have to do is narrow my choice down and go and meet them on a practice night!Splendid post!!
Great !! I am glad to hear this good news. Definitely go for it. Even if it seems difficult it is a great experience. Plus you will meet some good and supportive people at all different skill levels. Keep us posted on what groups you join and how it goes. Good luck. And as Fiddlerman said above, it gets easier as you go along. I hope that holds true for me too ... LOL
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