Walton Cello Concerto, July 2023
Attending a rehearsalIf you are interested in joining the Wantage Orchestra, please feel free to contact us at any time.
You would be very welcome to come along to a rehearsal.
Please contact the Membership Secretary, via membership@wantageorchestra.org.uk
Playing vacancies
We currently have vacancies for string players, and brass players.
We welcome to hear from woodwind and horn players, but may add you to a waiting list if there is no position available.. There may be opportunities to deputise at rehearsals before a permanent vacancy arises.
Our normal request is that players are at least Grade 5.
Open rehearsals
We also hold Open Rehearsals from time to time, when all players, of all standards, are welcome. This is a great time to join in with the orchestra as we play through pieces: either without a concert in mind, or sometimes to do a first run-through of pieces for a future concert before any detailed rehearsal.
Subscriptions
We operate to a playing season, which corresponds broadly to school terms. Each season starts in Septermber; the orchestra year normally finishes in June or July.
Orchestra members pay a subscription, which covers the costs of rehearsal and concert venues, music hire, professional fees, coaching in sectionals, insurances and general running costs of the orchestra. We ask for this annually, but other arrangements can be made. The subscription is currently £110 per annum. We ask members to gift aid their subscriptions if possible, which adds significantly to the orchestra's income.
For the first half term after joining, no fees are payable whilst both the prospective member and orchestra get to confirm they wish to continue.
The Orchestra does not charge any subscriptions to schoolchildren.
We aim to make participation in the orchestra affordable. We would always hope to have conversations about fees rather than lose a player for this reason.
