What we are about
a community orchestra that welcomes all...
The aim of the orchestra is to enjoy making lovely noises together with others by welcoming all levels of musical experience.
The style is 'chamber orchestra meets folk' where the rhythm comes from the tune and the accompaniment rather than a hefty set of timps and percussion.
The orchestra comprises fiddles, flutes, concertinas, accordions, melodeons, guitars, dulcimer, mandolins, violas, cello, keyboard, recorders - really anything that scrapes, squeezes, blows, plucks or plinks and no percussion.
We all have some ability to read music, or follow a line, but we do not sight-read.
We are led by Fran Wade, who has been playing traditional music for decades in various bands and has led orchestras and choirs both locally and at festivals further afield.
We are a collective - we work together to do all the administration of running and maintaining a 20-30 piece orchestra.
So dig out your instruments and come and play with us!
The aim of the orchestra is to enjoy making lovely noises together with others by welcoming all levels of musical experience.
The style is 'chamber orchestra meets folk' where the rhythm comes from the tune and the accompaniment rather than a hefty set of timps and percussion.
The orchestra comprises fiddles, flutes, concertinas, accordions, melodeons, guitars, dulcimer, mandolins, violas, cello, keyboard, recorders - really anything that scrapes, squeezes, blows, plucks or plinks and no percussion.
We all have some ability to read music, or follow a line, but we do not sight-read.
We are led by Fran Wade, who has been playing traditional music for decades in various bands and has led orchestras and choirs both locally and at festivals further afield.
We are a collective - we work together to do all the administration of running and maintaining a 20-30 piece orchestra.
So dig out your instruments and come and play with us!
Playing at events...
We play at events when we are invited, enjoying entertaining others at arts venues, community celebrations, pubs and more.
Having fun...
Playing music together is a lot of fun, and we really enjoy it. Photos of the Orchestra in performance may sometimes display rather serious looks of concentration, however we do smile and relax together, too, and there is a lot of laughter at rehearsals!
Improving skills...
Time and again we welcome new members who are nervous to blow the dust off instruments that have been in "hibernation". With music to read and download, the group is able to improve skills and practise at home - finding their musical legs, once again. The music is specially arranged for the orchestra, with a line for all instruments, and at different levels of ability.
Working in our community...
We are delighted to play for community celebrations, dances, concerts, wassails, background music - anywhere music is needed to oil the social wheels. Our minimum fee is a cup of tea & piece of cake, each... and there's lots of us!