Former French hornists, out of practice percussionists and wannabe woodwind players are being invited to dig out their instruments and come along to a new community orchestra in Perth Concert Hall.
Starting on Sunday 14 September and continuing monthly until June 2015, the RSNO Community Orchestra is a new initiative for Perth from the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in partnership with Horsecross Arts. Keen musicians of any instrument from grade 1 to grade 4 standard who are just starting out or haven’t played for some time can join the RSNO’s Associate Musician Leon Reimer and other like-minded performers to form an orchestra and enjoy the fun and friendship of playing in a relaxed group environment.
Adults who play flute, oboe, clarinet or bassoon can take part in the regular Blow and Blast workshops which take place on selected Saturdays from September to February in Perth Concert Hall’s Norie-Miller Studio and Tilt Suite. And for the first time this season, Blow and Blast is launching saxophone workshops for beginners.
No singing experience or music reading is required to join Horsecross Voices, the fun and informal vocal group for adults in Perth Concert Hall’s Norie-Miller Studio. Horsecross Voices starts up again on Wednesday 17 September with a session on Gaelic Song with Maeve MacKinnon and continues its weekly exploration of music from across the globe until Wednesday 26 November.
Scottish traditional musicians can hone their skills in regular Trad from Scratch sessions where they will learn stock trad tunes to play by ear. The more courageous players can then go along to Greyfriars Bar and join in the twice monthly Horsecross Sessions led by well-known local trad musicians.
Maeve Mackinnon, creative learning coordinator (music) for Horsecross Arts, the creative organisation behind Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre said:
“We are delighted to be hosting the RSNO Community Orchestra. It is a great addition to our range of Join In activities for adults and we are sure it will prove a popular choice with all these lapsed musicians out there who want to pick up their instruments again as well as anyone who just fancies trying out a new skill!”
For further info on Horsecross Arts Join In activities for adults and children pick up a brochure from Perth Concert Hall or visit www.horsecross.co.uk.