For those out there who are musically inclined, miss playing their musical instrument, and are in search of an orchestra, the Ohio State Community Orchestra just might be the answer.
No audition is necessary to join the OSU Community Orchestra and the group meets once a week on Mondays from 7 to 8:18 p.m. in rehearsal room 174 of Weigel Hall, said professor Marshall Haddock, director of orchestral activities and Community Orchestra adviser.
Students interested in participating in the orchestra must sign up for the one-credit class during course registration and non-students can sign up for free, said Hilary Apfelstadt, associate director of the School of Music.
Haddock said the OSU Community Orchestra was created last year after a group of faculty and students felt there was a need for a less informal orchestral group.
“They wanted to create a group so that people who are non-music majors could play and it wouldn’t be geared toward the same professional level as the other orchestral groups,” Haddock said. “The same pressures are not felt in this group and it gives an opportunity for anyone associated with the university to play.”
Haddock, who has been working at Ohio State for 30 years, has seen the growing desire for a group in which students could play the instruments they love without the pressure associated with most orchestras.
“Many of the members are students who played instruments in high school and have come to the university to major in something else, but still miss playing their instruments,” Haddock said. “Most do not want the same pressure that comes from playing in premiere ensembles.”
Abigail Miner / The LanternErica Davidson plays the cello during the first rehearsal of the OSU Community Orchestra.
Many of the students have found they enjoy the more casual atmosphere.
“It is pretty laid back,” said Jory Schmidt, a junior in civil engineering. “It’s good for people who aren’t as serious but still want the group experience. There was a time in high school I wanted to pursue music seriously but when I came here and went into engineering, I found this to be a good outlet to play for fun.”
For many of the students it is also a means to play and practice without the high costs of private lessons.
“I started playing the flute in the fifth grade and I found I missed it. I had looked into private lessons but they were really expensive,” said Paige DeMatteo, a senior in human development.
While a majority of the members are students, anyone is welcome to join.
Even some alumni have decided to join.
“I joined because I had been looking for a group within my community to play in since I didn’t go into music professionally after graduation,” said OSU alumna Elizabeth Bates.
The OSU Community Orchestra is directed by graduate conducting majors Rob Dobson and Rebecca Smithorn. One concert is scheduled at the end of each quarter and held in the auditorium of Weigel Hall, Haddock said.
Although most students bring their own instruments, some are available for student use through the School of Music, Apfelstadt said.
There is also another orchestral group that is open only to freshmen students.
The Freshmen Orchestra meets Mondays from 5:30 to 6:48 p.m. and is similar to the OSU Community Orchestra. It also can be taken as a one-credit course, Apfelstadt said.
By Megan Laney can be reached at [email protected].
