Community Orchestras

A community orchestra is largely made up of volunteers — specifically, unpaid adults, although some community orchestras will also accept teenagers. Some community concerts offer free concerts, some have “suggested donations” for admission to concerts, and others sell tickets. The budget and paid-concert model of a community orchestra is only loosely related to its playing level. The tiers of community orchestras can be considered as follows:

Elite: An orchestra that prides itself on the high quality of its music-making. It might be as good as some professional orchestras, but is mostly- or all-volunteer.

• Personnel: Typically has a well-trained conductor, and highly skilled players (some of whom are pros volunteering their time).
• Violinist level: Auditioned, possibly relatively rigorously (concerto movement plus excerpts). Usually 1st violinists will be able to manage a good Mendelssohn and quite a few can manage a good Sibelius or Tchaikovsky, and most 2nd violinists can manage a reasonable Bruch.
• Repertoire: Might play a lot of sets during the season (so fewer rehearsals per set). Plays the full range of repertoire, including the most challenging works. Has enough budget to do more modern music that might require rental, pay for modern editions of music, etc. Might even commission new compositions. Might bring in significant but not world-famous soloists (i.e., Rachel Barton Pine, not Hilary Hahn).

Serious: An orchestra that plays well but does not aim for near-professional quality. It is more common to have chamber orchestras than full orchestras in this category, in order to raise the bar on quality of players.

• Personnel: Typically has a good (often charismatic) conductor, strong winds and brass, and string sections comprised almost exclusively of good players even if not all of them are very advanced (i.e., they are good enough to play the parts they are given, and they practice reliably).
• Violinist level: Auditioned, though less rigorously (likely two contrasting works, scales, sight-reading). Usually 1st violinists are able to manage a good Mendelssohn, and 2nd violinists a good De Beriot 9 (or equivalent).
• Repertoire: Plays most of the standard orchestral repertoire. Often brings in local soloists, and may bring in lesser soloists of greater reknown.

Casual: An orchestra that provide an enjoyable experience for members, and puts on concerts for friends and family (and whatever of the community they can draw in) — a “typical” community orchestra. A fairly broad spectrum of community orchestras fall into this category, some of them much better than others.

• Personnel: Typically has a good conductor, and may have good winds, brass, and principals (or may use ringers). Players have mixed skill levels, and inconsistent preparation.
• Violinist level: Might or might not be auditioned for strings — audition might be for placement only. 1st violinists are generally at intermediate or advanced level; 2nd violinists might be accepted towards the end of the beginner level.
• Repertoire: Repertoire has to be chosen more carefully; some works will be too difficult or less successful. However, the standard orchestral literature is still used, rather than “arrangements”.

Emerging: An orchestra that’s just getting started. Budget and fundraising is unpredictable and still a significant focus. Lack of agreed-upon processes can lead to some degree of chaos.

• Personnel: Conductors and players are a mixed bag. Players might not have solidified their membership yet, leading to inconsistent quality between concerts.
• Violinist level: Entirely unpredictable. Might or might not be auditioned.
• Repertoire: Tends to depend upon the ambition of the conductor and who is available for a given concert.

“Adult Daytime”: An orchestra, often just a string ensemble, designed for adult beginners, returnees, and some intermediate players. Often sponsored by a community music school. Often meets during the daytime and is targeted at retirees looking for gentle encouragement and recreation.

• Personnel: The conductor is usually a music educator.
• Violinist level: Generally not auditioned. Often accepts players as soon as they are comfortable with their instrument and can read music at a basic level.
• Repertoire: Pedagogical arrangements. The point is usually to teach ensemble skills and have fun, providing some of the scaffolding to late-beginning/returning adults that would otherwise normally be taught in school and youth symphonies.

If you want to join a community orchestra, look around in your area. Most but not all community orchestras have websites and/or a social media presence. Large cities might have a dozen or more such orchestras. You’ll need to find the right fit for your playing level and what you’re hoping to get out of the experience.