As Darlington Orchestra celebrates its first return to the concert stage since the covid pandemic began, conductor David Plews had a message for local musicians.
He said: “We loved performing in our very well-received concert in January. However, it’s only possible to stage these large events by calling in favours from players who don’t usually play in the orchestra to help us out on the night.
“We now have several vacancies in the group because of maternity leave, ill health, recent retirements and changing work commitments for some members.”
Would you like to join a local community orchestra? Do you play violin, viola, cello, double bass, trumpet, flute, bassoon, percussion – both kit and timps players needed – tuned percussion/piano/harp?
The orchestra would be delighted to hear from you. There is no audition process but people need to be playing at Grade 5 level and above to be able to enjoy the music.
Rehearsals are on Tuesday evenings during school term-time, from 7.15pm to 9pm, at St Thomas Aquinas Community Hall, Darlington DL1 2PU. All the group’s rehearsals are open rehearsals so you can just call in and say hello. There is free on-site parking.
The orchestra’s next major event is the Summer Concert on Saturday 1st July, which means this is a good time to join because all players are learning the new selection of music.
David Plews concluded: “One of our players said to me recently, ‘I’m absolutely loving orchestra – great music, lovely people. I’m using it to escape into a different world for a couple of hours every week!’
He added: “We look forward to welcoming you.”
- For further details of vacancies, please email admin@darlington-orchestra.org.uk
- For updates, follow the orchestra on Facebook.com/darlingtonorchestra,
Instagram.com/darlington_orchestra and Twitter.com/DarloOrchestra