EVER fancied being part of an orchestra? Well now’s the time as Launceston Orchestra are looking for musically minded members to join their ranks.

The orchestra was started 22 years ago by a local musician Liz Ashford. She used to have monthly gatherings at her home to play chamber music and from this decided to form an orchestra, which she then conducted for 20 years until passing the baton, so to speak, over to Simon Thomas in 2017 when she decided to retire. There are still several members in the orchestra today who were founder members but the group is keen to see new people join now to help the orchestra thrive in the future.

The orchestra has been going strong for more than 20 years but in recent times numbers have dwindled and they are left short of a few instruments. The hope is to find more violinists to bolster the numbers as they currently have one or two regular players when a standard orchestra garners seven or eight.

Current conductor Simon, who began playing at the age of 12 and has lead the orchestra for a year and a half, is also keen to see more French horn players, being one himself, as well as more violas, a bassoonist and a timpanist join the orchestra. He said: “We have always been a small group and it is difficult to find people in the area who play — not many people play classical instruments these days. We have quite a range of instruments but are currently a bit light on certain ones and it would be great to get more violinists — that is our main focus — as we only currently have one or two, sometimes three. It makes things difficult if people are unable to attend through illness etcetera as it puts pressure on those left.”

Despite a shortage on players those who do attend come from far and wide, bringing a diverse mix of people together who have a shared love of playing classical music. Simon said: “We have an age range of 15 to 75. I think that is what I like most, there is a great mix of people. We have a 15 year old who plays the horn, one girl comes from Okehampton to play the clarinet — she is currently doing her A Levels too — and we also have school teachers, retired people, businessmen...there aren’t really many activities that you get that kind of range in.”

Simon said unlike a number of amateur orchestras Launceston’s is unique as they do not play publicly, it is all just for fun: “We are what some may call a ‘rep orchestra’, we play through repertoire. Whereas an amateur orchestra might practise a selection of say four pieces week after week ahead of a performance we will chose a piece from our large library of music amassed over the years and will practise it for maybe one or two weeks — or even three weeks, depending how we get one with it — but then we move on, we don’t aim for a performance so there isn’t that pressure.”

Simon said the orchestra mainly focuses on playing traditional classical music from composers such as Beethoven, Mozart, Schubert and Mendelssohn to name a few and he would encourage those with a passion for music to join: “If people are interested, even if you don’t play one of the instruments we are looking for, there is always opportunity if someone is away or ill to join in. For example an orchestra works with two of each type — two flutes, two clarinets, two bassoons etcetera. If one person is unable to come there could be a chance for someone else to step inVacancies do come up an it is worth people making contact if they are interested.”

Those with a Grade 6 understanding and above, even if a bit rusty or out of practice, are invited to join this fun and friendly group who meet every Tuesday in term time at Launceston College from 7pm to 9pm. Simon added: “People don’t have to have the qualification but a Grade 5 or 6 would be ideal and orchestral experience would be a bonus, but is not necessary.”

For more information contact conductor Simon on 07725 964996.