 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: oboi
Date: 2012-09-12 08:00
After spending the whole summer thinking of ideas on how to get more musicians to join our community orchestra, I've come to the point where I'm thinking perhaps there just aren't many and that it's a lost cause trying to find others. How many are out there???
My friend says that there's just little interest in the regular joe to really want to get out once a week and play classical music. Real life happens and work/life sucks it all up and a hobby is the last thing on their minds.
However, as I had seen it, most people don't know that such a thing exists, amateur orchestras, that is. Personally, I never knew that amateur orchestras existed and it was quite by chance that I found out about it. On the other hand, amateur bands have a huge following in my city, with the funds/venue to back it up. The orchestras are sort of incognito. Also, looking on sites like Kijiji, it's evident that there is a huge interest in people forming little pop/rock groups. So, people, even though they're not kids doing their daily chore... ahem... practicing, like music-making for fun. Is it the classical issue? Is it the belief that to play classical music, you gotta be like the pros you see on stage or hear on CD and there is nothing in between the young student and the pro? I mean, while I know most people quit their music cold-turkey once they "grow up", there has got to be still interest, no? Your thoughts?
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Author: Loliver
Date: 2012-09-12 11:12
I think part of the problem, at least in the UK, is that people are in amateur orchestras during school, but then many move away to university, to new towns/cities, and don't know what there is out there. The only orchestra I know of in existence within 30-40 miles of where I live is the one at my University... (If anyone knows where to look to find info for the UK, that would be much appreciated :D)
Part of it could come down to finding the time, as for some reason everything seems to happen on certain days...also that some orchestras struggle as there are large gaps in parts, i.e much easier to find 2 clarinetists than it is to find 2 bassoonists or up to 8 french horn players... resulting in a very limited repetoire. I know that in an orchestra I was in at high school stopped playing anything written post 1850 as there was so few brass players, so just ended up doing chamber music.
Also, amateur bands will probably be more popular as they play much more well known tunes, even though many come from adapted classical repetoire, and so will appeal to people more. Personally I much prefer playing Beethoven symphonies to American Patrol, Moon River or the theme to Harry Potter, but I'm probably in the minority.
I would love to be part of an amateur orchestra, but I haven't heard of any in my area, so have had to settle for the University wind band, playing Oboe, Cor Anglais (a substitute for the lack of French Horns) and Eb clarinet. I think advertising at a local university would be a good source of willing players. At mine, at least 30 people auditioned for 2 clarinet positions, around 4 or 5 oboes for 2, and about 40+ flutes for 3 positions, but oviously they may not be there over the summer.
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Author: KJC
Date: 2012-09-12 12:02
Oboi,
I don't know where you live, but my guess is that you are especially short string players. Most public high schools that I knew of growing up just had bands. Some of the private schools had orchestras and there was a regional youth orchestra you could try out for. For the most part though there were just bands. Unless things have changed a lot in U.S. public schools over the last 20 years, there are probably many more amateur players of woodwind, brass and percussion instruments available.
kjc
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Author: GoodWinds ★2017
Date: 2012-09-12 21:55
I'm a combination of amateur/professional. Sometimes I do music gratis, sometimes voluntarily, sometimes for charity, sometimes for fundraising. Sometimes I accept funds for a performance or a series of them, I have a few paying students through the local conservatory, etc.
But I would consider myself in the 'amateur' category when it comes to technical expertise, although I'm growing in that area. I'm a fine 'sub' and do minor repairs and adjustments, sell a few reeds here and there.
In short, a competent "dabbler".
GoodWinds
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Author: oboi
Date: 2012-09-13 06:58
KJC,
Ha, you hit the nail on the head! I'm banging my head on the table trying to find string players. I also cannot seem to find any low brass (although I'm assuming band music is much more appealing to them rather than just playing a bunch of long tones or tacetting for most of the night). I know there are a TON of them (our city has like a 20-piece amateur sackbut consort). I'm scratching my head, though, since there has got to be more violinists out there, thinking about how many violin students are out there. It's funny how I ask a music teacher and she has probably many competent kids who can play the music in our orchestra yet has virtually no adults to suggest to me. We don't even do auditions, anyone can join and I still can't find people. The problem isn't only strings, though.
As a very advanced adult amateur, I want to play with people who are at my level, yet it is so difficult to find others. I'm old enough to not want to play with kids or very young adults. I want to play at the level of the university music students but of course they are busy doing their university stuff and obviously I can't keep up with people who live/breathe the instrument, nor work around a college rehearsal schedule. I've done it for a number of years, yet there is something that I love about the amateur orchestra, faults and all, compared to the college groups. I'm also amidst a potential big year of chamber music. We have big ideas, the only hurdle will be to plug up obvious holes in instrumentation. When there are people, there are no people at the appropriate level. Seriously, this is like Noah's Ark. This is chamber music. I more or less just need 2 of each instrument and I can't find them. :-P It very makes me want to just pick up a trombone or clarinet and just teach myself. I'm very tempted and I bet I could play a few good licks within a year. Too bad I can't do that on the violin (give me a decade).
Yup, I've been advertising at the university. Mixed success with that. Undergraduates have absolutely no time. I get interest and then a week later it's "I'm drowning in homework!" But definitely the academic/researcher crowd is a place to look.
Amateur orchestras are such precious things for us oboists. You'd have to pry my dead fingers from it before I relinquish my position. IMHO, band music isn't too oboe-friendly. It's either the solo or you're drowned out by a billion flutes. It's annoying being the sole oboe in a band of gazillion woodwinds and brass. So I'll end off this long post by saying I love my amateur orchestra (even if it could make do with a few more 4-stringed friends).
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Author: KJC
Date: 2012-09-13 15:36
Oboi,
I recently moved to St. Pete, Fl, from Austin, TX. Austin is replete with talented amateurs. There are multiple amateur bands and orchestras filled with these talented amateurs. I think you would like Austin. Saint Pete does not have nearly as much opportunity. Of course there is great talent here-- an amateur orchestra in Clearwater, which is not far, and one in Tampa, which actually requires you to try out for a position. It is not Austin though. St. Pete, however, is still like a small town in some respects which makes it friendlier for the amateur. I'm actually starting to play in a band tonight. The band is really very good so I am excited. I know what you mean about being drowned out by other woodwinds, but at this point I am just grateful to have the opportunity to play outside lessons and home. Have you tried advertising for players on Craig's List or the web or even local churches? I'm sure there are those there that just don't know about it (not affiliated with the university) and would love the chance to play more. It may take some time. Austin took many years to build up its musical reputation, though, and it can be done.
kjc
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Author: mjfoboe
Date: 2012-09-15 14:16
Hi,
I am fortunate to live in Long Island New York which supports multiple Community Orchestras and bands. There are at least 7 the orchestras within driving distance of my home.
I am president of the senior pops orchestra Long Island; a community orchestra that has been in existence for over 30 years.
www.seniorpops.org
Community orchestras are a constant challenge.There are constant personnel needs as well as financial concerns.
It is always a struggle to have a complete complement of musicians. We are constantly recruiting. At the moment we are fortunate to have a full percussion section, 20+ violins, 6 violas, and three-phase players. We have three regular cellists .... A full woodwind section and brass section; although we still need the occasional second bassoon player and Tuba.
Because there are so many orchestras.. There is much competition for players. The need for good morale, high standards, and a dynamic music director is of utmost importance to grow and maintain the orchestra.
Do not give up and continue to out to reach to your community for your orchestra ..... it just takes one committed enthusiastic player to get things rolling.
Good luck
Mark
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Author: ptarmiganfeather
Date: 2012-09-16 04:33
We have quite a few musicians here in the woods. Some really fabulous ones. I live 45 minutes away from our local community band rehearsals. Gas and driving time is prohibitive for many players. Oh how nice it would be to have so many musicians close by! But then competition would be fierce.
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Author: Ehafb
Date: 2012-09-18 17:29
There are loads of amateur orchestras here in the UK. http://www.amateurorchestras.org.uk Took up the oboe 5 years ago. Played flute for 20 before that. Sometimes wish I hadn't bothered but do really enjoy playing oboe most of the time
Bryan
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Author: oboi
Date: 2012-09-20 05:21
Can I ask what's the average age of your amateur orchestra members?
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Author: mjfoboe
Date: 2012-09-20 13:06
There are various ages .... in my case ... since we meet in the daytime mostly retirees or people with flexible work/business schedules.
You have more options with evening rehearsals.
Mark
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Author: Ehafb
Date: 2012-09-20 19:12
in the orchestras I play in the ages range from 16- 80 and anywhere in between
Bryan
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Author: oboi
Date: 2012-09-22 20:47
That's interesting. In my orchestra, the average age is probably a little under double my age (I'm in my late 20's). We meet in the evenings. I'm beginning to think there are no amateur musicians my age. :-P The ones close to my age are all students or pros.
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