Orchestra extends classic invitation to musicians
The orchestra hopes to gain musicians who play trumpets, violas, double basses, french horns and drums.
THE Durban City Orchestra is looking for musicians to join their family and perform classical, light classical and pop songs as part of the second oldest orchestra in South Africa.
Warren Allen, a clarinet player, said: “We want to supplement our strings, including lower strings and we’ve got quite a few wood wind and brass vacancies available, so anyone who is keen would be welcome to join. Our orchestra is one of the second oldest in the country, it has been around for over 100 years and some of the current members have been playing together for 15 years,” he said.
Viola player, Jennifer Sugden, who has been a member for nine years said a highlight was when she played with the orchestra on her 80 birthday.
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The orchestra hopes to gain musicians who play trumpets, violas, double basses, french horns and drums.
In addition to their school visits and the shows they put on at cooperate functions, the orchestra gives performances in Mariannhill, the Durban ICC, and the Durban Botanic Gardens.
“We have also played with bands like Gangs of Ballet- we’ve done a lot of those sort of performances,” said Allen.
“When people come to watch us, they are quite amazed at the range of age groups and the range of skills, right through the instruments, which is something you don’t often see,” added double bass player, Dominic Collett.
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The orchestra aims to make these performances accessible to all classical musicians.
“There’s the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra. They are a professional orchestra, so to play with them, you have to be a full time member, and that’s your job. We are providing a platform for musicians to learn and grow in Durban. We bridge the gap. Although we aim to make music professionally, we all enjoy it socially as well, so we come to have a good time together. We have sometimes done trips away to Clarens. It’s a nice way to meet people who are also musicians and grow your skills,” said Allen.
Paul Prydderch, who plays the french horn described it as an “all time high.”
As a non-profit organisation, all funds pour back into the orchestra operation. For more information about the orchestra, call Warren Allen on 084 620 1119.
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