INFORMATION FOR NEW MEMBERS
Welcome to the Solent Concert Orchestra. Here are some guidelines on what is expected of our members.
JOINING THE ORCHESTRA
There is no audition, but we suggest a minimum standard of grade 5. Prospective members undertake a trial period of playing with the orchestra during which due allowance is made for rusty players getting up to speed, after which an invitation to join permanently is dependent on discussions between section leaders, conductor and the orchestra leader.
REHEARSALS
These take place during term time on Thursday evenings at Bramshaw Village Hall, Row Hill Cottage, Bramshaw, Lyndhurst, SO43 7JE from 7.45pmpm to 9.45 pm. Please arrive (with your instrument, music, stand, pencil, etc.) in good time to set up, warm up, and be ready to start promptly at 7.45pm. We have a ten minute break during the rehearsal for notices and socialising so please bring your own drink if you would like to. We will finish at 9.45pm. The Thursday rehearsal immediately prior to a concert usually takes place at the concert venue. A rehearsal schedule is published on the website and regularly updated, however you should bring all your music with you each week, as the schedule may change. Regular attendance is required, but if absence is unavoidable you should inform the secretary (Caroline Biggin), the conductor (Simon Wilkins), and your section leader, as well as the register secretary (Kaylee Gault) as soon as possible. Please ensure you have the necessary contact details (your section leader or a committee member can help you with this).
CONCERTS
The orchestra gives three to four concerts a year in various venues around the local area, performing a wide variety of music and styles, ranging from film / stage music and light classics to full symphonies and concertos. Usually, one concert each year is devoted to “lighter” music. Before each concert a concert schedule is posted to give details of the concert venue, start times of the rehearsal and the concert, the running order of music, the dress code, etc.
REPERTOIRE
Concert repertoire is chosen by the Music Selection Committee, but members are very welcome to suggest a piece by writing it in the suggestions book (available at rehearsals). All suggestions are considered by the committee. Some may be deemed unsuitable for the orchestra due to lack of availability, required instrumentation, difficulty, cost, etc., and this feedback is entered into the book and available in the minutes of that committee, which are posted in the members section on the orchestra’s website. The majority of pieces selected are based on players’ suggestions.
MUSIC
At the start of each new rehearsal phase, music required for the next concert will be handed out, with a wallet for keeping the music in. It is your responsibility to look after it and bring it to every rehearsal. Additionally, you will usually need to download some music and print your own copy in time for the first rehearsal. Information on this can be found on the website under “music to download”. We are happy to help if there are any problems, so please ask. Music is collected in at the end of each concert. If you are unable to attend a concert, please ensure all music you have been given is returned before the concert. Please return everything you have been loaned promptly as losses can be costly to the orchestra.
WEBSITE
The website (www.solentconcertorchestra.org.uk) provides general information about the orchestra such as our history, previous and future concerts, a photo gallery, committee members, etc. The rehearsal schedule is published in the “rehearsal information” section. Please ask a member of the committee to give you the password for the “members’ pages” section of the site where you will find lots of useful resources such as committee meeting minutes, concert schedules, social arrangements, etc.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
A subscription is due at the start of each term. New members are given their first term free, after which their membership may be reviewed. Subscriptions are currently £40 per term. Should this prove difficult, please talk to the treasurer (Howard Moore) who will be happy to discuss your individual circumstances.
To print, download: