Anyone in an Orchestra?

[Briarmom]

I really miss playing flute, and while I know I am not good enough to get a spot here in a metro area, I am wondering if anyone is in an Orchestra or even a band? And I don't mean high school or college.

 

[jahexom]

Hi,
I play in a community orchestra, an area band, and our city band. You could check with colleges in your area to see if they sponser community groups. One of the bands I play in is really the college band, but it has a small music department and needs community members to fill out all the sections. Our city band also has many members that are not music professionals. Good luck

Jen

 

[golfgal]

I have been in the past but I am not in one now. It is fun and a good way to keep up on your instrument. I play the violin and have done some pit orchestra work for area musicals, etc. Those are REALLY fun. Our town has a community orchestra and I have thought about joining that, but it is a HUGE time commitment for this particular group and they don't want you to miss practices, which isn't always possible with 3 kids and a busy DH.

 

[bananiem]

I would like to start playing again too. I just don't want to go through an audition! My dd just started flute so I told her I'd play along with her. "Everybody ready? Whole note, whole note, 4 count rest..."

 

[MommytoMJM]

I was in community bands up until I adopted my daughter, I miss it dreadfully....hoping someday I can get back into it, I also used to play in my church's worship band

 

[Galahad]

I'm in two Orchestras, a Wind Symphony and a Chamber Winds group. They are all "semi-professional" and loads of fun. My adult son plays Cello in one of those Orchestras. I'll bet there are groups nearby you could play with.

 

[sharbear]

Another option for flute players are flute choirs. Here's a link to the National Flute Association list of flute choirs. http://www.nfaonline.org/cluClubs.asp Many flute choirs are adult flute players wanting a performance opportunity.

 

[Briarmom]

Another option for flute players are flute choirs. Here's a link to the National Flute Association list of flute choirs. http://www.nfaonline.org/cluClubs.asp Many flute choirs are adult flute players wanting a performance opportunity.

Wow thanks! I will look into this. It looks like the only one in this area is quite far, and I'm sure I am FAR behind these people, but I miss it. It is like a part of me is gone. I just don't know whether to concentrate on flute or oboe...

 

[NCDisneyMom]

I play flute in our local community orchestra. We are FAR from professional, but we are all there simply because we love to play. No auditions are necessary, which was good!! I'm having a blast with them.

 

[Carl]

I'm in a community band in Deer Park, Texas and I sure wish you lived here, because we need flute players.

 

[sharbear]

A couple of things. I would expect that a couple of lessons would help you gain your confidence back. Try to find a flute teacher in your area and I'm sure that she or he could help access your ability.

Another thing, flute choirs have many different parts for many different levels. I don't know how much you know about flute choirs but they have music for 3 C Flute parts, Alto Flutes, Bass Flutes. There is a great range of ability and if you contacted the one in your area they would be able to tell you how they operate and who their members are.

Oh the oboe. My DD wants to play the oboe so bad. For some reason her band director lost the oboe. I can not afford to buy her one but she loves the oboe and would love to play it.

 

[Rachie0507]

I've played in a Community Band for a long time. It is no where near professional, but the people in our area really enjoy the concerts and they certainly aren't music critics. One of the local community bands just started a year round program through a community college and I plan to join. I think any opportunity to continue playing is better than not playing at all.

Another way to stay involved is to play in the pit for local theaters. I've never done it but a lot of my friends have.

 

[Briarmom]

A couple of things. I would expect that a couple of lessons would help you gain your confidence back. Try to find a flute teacher in your area and I'm sure that she or he could help access your ability.

Another thing, flute choirs have many different parts for many different levels. I don't know how much you know about flute choirs but they have music for 3 C Flute parts, Alto Flutes, Bass Flutes. There is a great range of ability and if you contacted the one in your area they would be able to tell you how they operate and who their members are.

Oh the oboe. My DD wants to play the oboe so bad. For some reason her band director lost the oboe. I can not afford to buy her one but she loves the oboe and would love to play it.

I've played in several flute choirs (when I was in high school I spent my summers at Int'l Music Camp) and I will just need to get myself back in the practice mode/get my tone quality back. I only own a C flute right now. Which is fine with me.

Let your dd play the oboe. Please. I started flute in 3rd grade and oboe in 8th (along with sax). I love the oboe and wish I had the practice on that instrument that I have on the flute. Unfortunately, I always played the schools', so I don't own one. Look on ebay!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Do any of you make a career out of your musical abilities by playing in an orchestra or do you just do it for the pleasure, having another job?

 

[Galahad]

Do any of you make a career out of your musical abilities by playing in an orchestra or do you just do it for the pleasure, having another job?

I have a "day job" but I do get paid to play and to teach. I'm active on the board at my son's school performing arts groups as well as a youth orchestra program. After observing what the life is like I think I relieved I don't make a living at it. Since my undergrad degree is music however I often regret going the route of a "straght job".

 

[sharbear]

Sorry Briarsmom, I didn't have any idea how familar you were with flute choirs. My DD plays in one now.

If you went to Interlochen, I'm sure that you would be proficient enough to play in a flute choir with a little practice.

We went to Interlochen this summer to see the World Symphony Orchestra. Wow! Unbelievable that HS kids were playing at this level. It was simply amazing.

My DD goes to another music camp, not Interlochen. She loves it. I'll try to look at oboes on ebay. We just bought her an intermediate flute, anyone who plays flutes knows how much money you have tied up in flutes.