hi I am playing about a grade three according to my teacher and have found a local folk band which i really enjoyed apart from it being really quick and having trouble keeping up

i would like to try for a orchestra which we have in our town but dont know if i am ready yet and am scared to go along before iam ready

at what grade did other people start playing flute with a group and how did they find it

thanks

Orchestras *tend* to want the woodwind to be at a higher grade than if you played violin, because there simply tend to be fewer places relative to how many want to play, and the parts are more exposed, sometimes also more difficult.

Your best bet is to get in contact with your prospective orchestra and ask... they may be short of flutes, or they may already have 6! They may be very strict about entry requirements, or they may be open to all comers. This is something that varies from orchestra to orchestra, and you will have to find out from the orchestra itself.

hi thanks once again for advice i did contact them and yes more flutes than they need so i will stick to being a folky flute with the folk band for the time being every one was so friendly that i really enjoyed it and wasnt nervous at all

Depends on the orchestra or group.
I'm lucky that near to me there is an orchestra that has no minimum level and everyone is welcome.

It depends on the orchestras that are in your area. Some adult groups invite all standards whereas some are more strict with grades.
As Sarah said, woodwind players need to be at a higher standard than strings. In london I havent come across a single amateur orchestra which lets woodwind players under grade 8 standard in!

The folk group sounds fun and playing in any ensemble will be great preparation for any orchestras etc that you do later on keep asking around if you hear of any other orchestras, because what they expect before they'll let you join will vary wildly!

Have a look at : http://www.amateurorchestras.org.uk/

hi thanks all

i am going to leave it six months work hard so when i do go along i am much better and they will plead me to join

Have you got a local music centre? If you do then they will probably run groups for people of different abilities. I'm sure that if you ring up they would be able to give you lots of information.

If the orchestra won't let you in, maybe look for a wind band where more places will be available.

I don't know how old you are, but maybe ask your head of music at school about any groups that the school runs.

hope this helps, x

THANKS for your post we dont have a music centre in our small town i am 33 and my teacher is not local plus i am her only adult pupil at the moment i have foung a folk band which is good fun but i really would like to play in a wind group i will try and find more flutes at the folk band and form our own

have a good easter everyone

Thanks for the link, sags_3, I've just searched for orchestras in Cardiff and sent some e-mails round. Fingers crossed, cos there are hardly ever any vacancies in flute sections!

Oh yeah, sorry that was slightly