Adult Amateur Violinists – The Community Orchestra Experience
For the amateur violinist, community orchestra is not only an outlet for musical expression, but also a fun, social activity. Many of these groups meet regularly in fun, supportive environments, perform in concerts attended by the public, conduct rehearsals led by capable conductors, and play exciting repertoire.
Many students learn to play the violin in their school orchestra programs. Sometimes they even play in college orchestra. But once they join the great American workforce, their violins may never again see the light of day.
However — there are opportunities for adult amateurs to play together.
One of the primary outlets for amateur violinists are community orchestras, some of which have a full complement of wind and string players. Often, these groups meet in churches or community centers, and are frequently led by experienced conductors. Many groups meet for one day out of each week throughout the school year, and then either take the summer off or play a couple of summer concerts. Common times to meet are Sunday nights or weekday evenings.
Some amateur orchestras have rich histories and ties to their communities, and may have been playing together, sometimes under the same conductor, for years or even decades. Money for sheet music and to pay the conductor is usually raised from dues paid by members, donations, and concert ticket sales. Over time, groups can accumulate a large collection of sheet music.
Many groups consistently play favorites of the orchestra literature, such as the Fifth Symphony of Beethoven, Rossini overtures (William Tell and Barber of Seville), or Bizet’s Carmen. Some tackle very difficult works such as the Pathetique Symphony by Tchaikovsky, or introduce obscure pieces rarely performed by professional groups, such as the Donna Diana Overture by Reznieck or the Valse Romantique by Sibelius. The music might not be played perfectly, but the orchestra’s love and enthusiasm for it shines through.
While playing great works is itself an enjoyable experience, amateur orchestras also tend to be social outlets and its members are usually very loyal both to each other as well as to the orchestra and its conductor.
The role of the conductor is particularly important. Ideally, he or she is an inspirational, knowledgeable, and effective leader, without being negative or critical of the members (even when they don’t always play perfectly). This is not an easy balance to maintain, but it is vital for the health of the group.
With the emergence of the Internet, many community orchestras have an online presence. For residents of most urban areas, a simple google search should produce options to explore. When choosing a group to play in, it can be a good idea to sit in on a rehearsal or two to get an idea of its level and feel. Each orchestra has its own style of rehearsing and performing, and caters to players of different levels and musical interests. Like families, some are healthier than others — so if you aren’t thrilled by the first group you try, hopefully you might consider trying another. It can be a hobby for life, and a great way to meet other amateur violinists and musicians.
