The Classical Music Society runs an Orchestra which is led by a professional conductor, Stephen Evans.  This year we are expanding the Orchestra even further, recruiting beyond the University of Essex, by inviting local musicians.  We hope this will succeed in providing a larger and more professional Orchestra for our members to be a part of. The name of the orchestra is the Colchester Sinfonietta

Practice Time

The Orchestra shall be meeting several weeks before a concert. You shall be e-mailed and informed of the venue where the rehearsal shall be taking place.

Requirements

The pieces played in Orchestra are of Grade 5+ standard. However for those musicians who are less confident and have not played for some time, tuition can be arranged with more experiences players.

Performance Opportunities

There will be plenty of performance opportunities for our Orchestra to participate in this academic year, from the formal annual concert, to more informal and relaxed lunchtime concerts where our more confident members will have the opportunity to perform solo and duet pieces.  We will also be partaking in a few fundraising events this year, namely playing Christmas Carols in the square on the campus of the University of Essex as well as playing at local residential homes in Colchester, and a ‘playathon’ during the Societies Guild charity week.

Instruments

Instruments are available to hire from music shops in Colchester but of course there is a charge for this. Alternatively many basic or second hand instruments are relatively cheap, for example a violin cost one of our members only £60! If you find a cheap instrument such as this the CMS may even be able to pay for it for you to play!!