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So as I am preparing for my first orchestra experience as a violinist (I have played in orchestra as a percussionist), I am a little nervous. Even though I have played in other orchestras before, this will be very different and, really, quite a new experience for me.
I am going into this with several areas that will be quite new to me. First, all of the music I will play will essentially be new on several levels. Percussion music is, for the most part, very rhythmic and there is not a whole lot of notes on the staff. Unless you are playing a marimba solo you will likely never see anything that resembles violin music. So everything about following the music with counting, keeping in time, coming in at the right times, playing the right notes.. everything about music for me is going to be new.
Playing in a section is now going to be a different experience. The percussion section has a completely different way of organizing their section. It is entirely based on the instruments played (snare, base, hand-held, mallets, etc) and each instrument is more or less independent from one another. Violin is a more unified (between violin I and violin II) organization. So learning to play well together and unified will be quite different.
I will even need to get used to a concept called a stand partner.
So having said all that, I am very excited about beginning orchestra. I have been looking forward to this for a long time!
- Pete -
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My first experience in an orchestra was incredible. It fades over time but it's pretty great!!!
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Way to go Pete and co gratulations!
Congratulations!
I hope it will be a great experience...enjoy it!!
And keep us posted !!!
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Have a great orchestra experience, Pete, and many more!
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I'm the same way, Pete. I've had plenty of orchestral experience as an oboist, but I'm pretty nervous about the violin. My local orchestras mostly meet in schools, so it will all kick off when the school term begins in September, which will be my first anniversary of violin playing. I hope they stick me on the far left so I don't poke anyone's eye out!
Andrew
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@Fiddlerman That's what I am anticipating.
@ABitRusty Thanks!.. Although this was not an auditioned orchestra. Just a local community group that I joined.
@hermes Thanks! Again, I did not audition for this. All I did was sign up. I do hope to not only enjoy, but to learn and perhaps in the future be able to play in orchestras that require higher skills and where you audition. Yes, I will keep posting here. That's the intention.
@bocaholly Thanks! I really hope to continue. It's been my goal for a long time.
@Gordon Shumway Ah yes.. This is a college group that is working with their chorus as well. And they are beginning with the school year too. Oh, I hope not to poke anyone either... I have heard that's a thing. 
Emails should be going out soon with rehearsal schedules! As soon as I get music I will post that as well.
- Pete -
@Pete_Violin Then it will probably be a very useful experience! And auditioning for an orchestra, it's a great goal as well! I find that playing with other people is amazing and fulfilling, not only you have to play along with them and be on time, on the right beat, right pitch etc, but I also think that you can discover many things about yourself as well, and as far as the violin is concerned such things could be your personal tone/sound etc 
Many times at home I experiment with my tone, my strings, my setup and I think I am getting into somewhere, (or sometimes I get completely lost haha) and then I play with a pianist and I am like "oh no, I have to change everything again"
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I started lessons September, 2018. My teacher said, after your lesson, join our small chamber orchestra that evening and play in our Christmas concert. Can you imagine how overwhelmed I was after that evening. But they were so welcoming and one even said to me, being a part of a group will make you a better player and he was right. Fast forward, we have been practicing 2 months now for our end of summer concert. I am so much better by joining this group of talented string players, farther along than I would been if I had chose not to join the group. I encourage everyone to find one to be apart of!
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Way to go! I'm happy for all of you. It's so much fun playing with other people.
'Armed with theory, practice becomes meaningful. Through practice, theory becomes fulfilled.' - Egon von Neindorff.
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HP said
It's so much fun playing with other people.
Yeah, that's basically why I abandoned classical guitar for the uke and the violin.
Andrew
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@x Coach - Sounds great. Happy to hear it.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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To all those enthusiasts for playing with others in groups and in orchestras/ensembles I have been wanting to do this for some time! And I totally agree that it is so helpful for playing better and increasing your skills. This is why I am so happy to be able to play in an orchestra... It just takes a lot of work to even get the basics so I am able to play competently and contribute.
Currently waiting for rehearsal schedules....
- Pete -
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UPDATE:
So I had a chance to speak with the music director over the program for the orchestra. He said that there may be some kind of auditioning. I don't think it will be a "pass or fail" audition. Probably just for placement in the orchestra. I hope so.
I have never auditioned for an orchestra before, in percussion or violin.
My teacher said I should be fine.
More updates to come....
- Pete -
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Eh I'm sure it'll go well. At least you have experience to draw from even if its not the same section. Every bit helps I would think.
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Good luck pchoppin. I have faith in you!!!
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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MUCH appreciated!!!!!!!!!
- Pete -
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UPDATE
Finally!!! We have a rehearsal schedule.
I was just emailed the schedule today. The performance is October 26 and the first rehearsal is in about a week.
I do not know what the music is, or how the violins will be organized. I am assuming a placement audition will take place for this.
I am excited!
- Pete -
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