Hi

I am a grade 2 cello player and live in the twickenham area. I am looking to join an amateur orchestra to give myself an aim to continue to improve my playing ability.

Can anyone recommend an orchestra in this viciinity for someone of my level.. or does this type of thing not really happen until higher grades?

Many thanks

Here's a good place to start looking, I am sure you will find somewhere to sqeeze in but at grade 2 unless you are particularly nifty or brave you may find the music a bit challenging..though not always. Lots of arrangements are quite kind and you can always tuck in behind another Cello..

Go for it, learing to play in an orchestra is a wonderful thing..and your playing will improve immensely..

http://www.amateurorchestras.org.uk/

Best of luck, dont be shy, get out there and get playing.

Thankyou A.U.K

I have seen this website and there wasnt a lot around unfortunately... I was hoping there might be some others that are not listed there...

Thanks

Tom

None of these are particularly close, but all I can think of are this, this and this.

As usual Barry comes through..(he's something of a legend here you know, gawd bless him)

The final link looks ideal for the Original Poster..Marylebone isnt a million miles for you to travel and they look well set up..plus they have room for cellos..So get on the phone or email and give it a go..

Blag it a bit if needs be..very few players start out in orchestras as competent musicians so don't be shy..

Keep us posted wont you..

As well as those suggested by barry-clari (all of which I have had personal contact with, so am happy to answer questions on!) it may well be worth looking at some of the adult education courses such as at the Mary Ward Centre, City Lit or Morley College such as this,
this or this.

Some of the courses might be showing as full, but sometimes you can join mid year with the approval of the tutor, so it is always worth contacting the colleges' music departments directly to ask about your own situation.

Hopefully there might be something there that you can try.

All the best,

L

Thankyou for all the help everyone

Nothing has really seemed suitable though... I think i will keep working for grade 3 and see whats around in the future

Thanks anyway!

Tom

Oh, that's a shame

How far are you willing to travel from Twickenham : the links onion and I provided seemed to be the closest to you, and I don't think being grade 3 is going to improve your lot any...

Oh Tom I agree with Bazza, thats such a pity...is it the distance or are you having an attack of the wobbles..(everyone does by the way)..If you have concerns then maybe have a chat with the orchestras or PM one of us here and we will see if we can put your wobbles to rest..

Its not so bad once you get started and I believe it will transform your musical life and improve your playing..

Feel free to Pm if you want to chat..

I've read all the messages so far, and you can see that there are orchestras available at your present level. If you could find one really near home you would be one of a small lucky minority. If you find one that's just right you will make new friends who share your interest and it will become a lovely new part of your social life.

I've been running an adult learners' orchestra since 1995, with no minimum standard, and have usually had at least a handful of players travelling 20+ miles each way to play in it. Unfortunately the most elementary and most advanced orchestral players do tend to have to travel to find groups at just the right level. One of the cellists in my orchestra has also been travelling to ELLSO (East London Late Starters' String Orchestra) on Saturdays for years, at least 40 miles each way, getting more varied musical experience.

I realise the cello isn't the easiest instrument to transport, so if travelling to make music isn't an option for you I suggest you start small and see if you can find another cellist to play duets with. Could your teacher help? Maybe there are possible musical partners reading this Forum or Viva Strings?

I hope you find something that's just right for getting you into playing with other people.

We're very well off in this corner of South East London for advanced groups, but generally not well off at all for very elementary groups (I've been thinking about filling that gap, but haven't done anything about it yet...)

To be honest, I think you will have to travel to get the best out of playing with others, legendmir. Have you thought about coming to the Egham Adult Learners' event that katyjay is doing this February (18th)? There are no performance places left now, sadly, but you can come and listen, and network with other musicians.

Is the Ashford Orchestral Players no good for you? It's not far from Twickenham and has the whole range of abilities in it as far as I know.

Have you tried the Kingston Chamber Orchestra? My previous piano teacher recommended it to me when I was about Grade 3 piano and said i would fit in very well. I didn't take it it due to work commitments but the Adult Learners' Concert in Egham will be a great place to meet like minded people and make friends. I'll be going as an observer as I was too late as a performer this year - but have played in it three times before!

Hi Tom,

have read all the replies and agree with all of them. I thought I might give you some encouragement - I joined a local amateur orchestra in East London (already mentioned above) having passed my Grade 2 cello; my teacher thought it was a great idea, and he was right - my playing has improved considerably and have just passed Grade 5 a year later.

You just need to be brave.
I realise that Twickenham is a long way from East London, but if you're free on saturday mornings, then ELLSO is set up precisely for people such as yourself.

Good luck with the search!