Well, I've just come back from first 10-4 rehearsal for my county orchestra. You may recall that after my audition I really didn't want to be in the orchestra as I had always been in bands and was scared.

Well, I was wrong, it was fantastic! To start off with, we did team building (as it was the first rehearsal of the year). Even that was fun - we had to compose something, and did various other things.

Then, cam the bit I was dreading . Actually playing! Some of the people in there are SO good, and I thought the conductor would be really scary and picky as he is a flautist.

Before I carry on, our repertoire is:

Romeo and Juliet, Prokoviev
Symphony number 9, Shostakovich
Falst (?), Elgar
Scherzo capriccioso, Dvorak

We just did the latter two today, I'm paying flute 2 in Dvorak and flute 1 in the Elgar (complex system, means swapping about)

I really enjoyed it though, even though we just had woodwind and brass in a sectional, it sounded so good. I am still a bit tentative, like in the Dvorak, I have to play these notes which the flutes 1 don't and when hardly anyone else is playing, and I kept thinking I had counted wrong, but I hadn't, but didn't play it, as I was scared!

I don't really like the Elgar, it's weird, and I can't count in 2/2 time (I have to do a quick 4).

But yes, so I am really happy, and wishing I had been good enough to be in orchestras before.

Glad you enjoyed yourself Nicki!

Good to hear you had fun! I'm gonna be starting my first orchestra soon - as the only harpist ahh! Xx

Ahhh good to hear you enjoyed it! There's nothing like an orchestra; in fact Id be hard pushed to decide whether I prefer orchestras or bands (im a flautist too!) fair play to ya though, for grabbing yer courage and going even though you were scared

Orchestra is a different world to the wind band in every respect. The real fun comes when the whole orchestra are together and every category of instruments is trying to play in tune, blend tone-wise, balance, articulate, even the ensemble playing is generally a different ball game. Wind players especially have to imagine they are soloists and ensemble players all at once, strange but true! I speak from experience of playing in a semi-professional band and orchestra. Anyway, glad you enjoyed it.

Wow! Sounds like great fun! I've only ever playing an a wind band, apart from our school band/orchestra which is sort of a band with a few violins and a cello thrown in for good measure

Wow, wish I was in an orchestra like that!

Come and be a viola, they need more!

Lol, I'd love to!

They have violins and cellos playing viola parts! The course starts at 10 tomorrow, I'll send my helicopter

Playing in an orchestra is brilliant! I like it much more than playing in a windband!

Sounds really great Nicki. Glad you enjoyed it.
It's just wonderful playing together ... and well done for making sure you went along and gave it a go.

So pleased you enjoyed it. And the wind players do very often have to be soloists, just take your courage and play. It doesn't matter if it's wrong in rehearsal that's precisely what rehearsal is for, to sort out the glitches.

It might help to get really familiar with the pieces too. See if you can download them and listen on your mp3, or even play along, it will help with the entries and counting.

I'll have a look if I have any of them lurking on JaneFM

Edit: I certainly have Shosti 9 and I think I have the Prok R & J. Which pieces are you doing (there are 2 ballet suites)

Glad to hear you enjoyed it!

I always found playing in a band more relaxing as there are loads of clarinettists and you can 'share' the difficult parts. Playing in an orchestra is more challenging because you may have 'solo' passages (even if you are not the principal) and you are always exposed! This is, however, a good thing as it builds your confidence and makes you work on projecting your sound more - and it makes you a better musician!

I remember us woodwind players getting 'looks' from the strings whenever we played a wrong note etc - but give them a solo to play and they fall to bits!

I guess playing in a band for me is like a string player playing in an orchestra - comfort in numbers!

If you can get hold of the full score, it helps tremendously.

Yes, that is why I was apprehensive, at most there are 2 on a part, and in some I'm on my own! I never got the solo passages (apart from when I was principal second flute in symphonic band), so the possibility of having parts on my own terrifies me!

I must say that I have always felt nervous whenever there is a solo part coming up - even after playing in an orchestra for a long time. I guess it is only natural - like playing a solo recital.

Well done Nicki... glad you enjoyed it.

Sounds really fun, glad you enjoyed it. Repertoire sounds fun too!

Glad you enjoyed it, Nicki - it sounds great.

Today I have to be BRAVE and play these 2 bars which the other flutes don't play

Go for it!!

good morning Nicki.

.......and I'm sure you'll be absolutely fine Nicki.

It sounds as though all's going well with your orchestra rehearsals, hope you have an enjoyable and productive year performing in the orchestra.

I played those 2 bars, and some others and he never said they were wrong once

Just a couple of things about tuning, but that was it.

Even better I asked to be excused for the 23rd September, and he seemed fine about it!

So glad orchestra is going well for you Nicki

We definitely need you Emma! I'll send the helicopter next week.

Lol, I was thinking about orchestra and AS music last night and couldn't get to sleep for ages!

Don't worry hun

Might not do AS level music now - really can't decide!

Want to talk on MSN? I could send you some stuff I did at AS if you want to see what kind of stuff we did

I love orchestra, I don't want to leave as the other flutes are a bit young really and will probably be a bit lost when I go... they are either too confident and play completely wrong notes very loudly or can play it but play it quietly as they play it differently to the loud wrong ones and are then not sure if they are right, which they are!

Orchestra playing is good for your confidence in situations like you have mentioned, playing certain phrases alone with maybe only string backing - you suddenly sound really loud! And it is good for dynamic range - having to play above a big line of brass!