I've just returned from a quick weekend trip to Hereford, playing oboe with the British Police Symphony Orchestra. The What? you may be asking... The majority of players (although certainly not in the wind section) are affiliated with the police, and the ensemble meets once a month to rehearsal or perform, spending the night in police accommodation or a budget hotel. Two members of their wind section filled in with another ensemble I play with when we toured in Reims, France last summer, and they passed my name along.
I wasn't sure what to expect of the group... the musicians I had met were good, but the
police?
really? I've played in my fair share of community orchestras that have been challenging to sit through, but I also know that an "NIH orchestra" can be surprisingly successful despite its name, so I gave it a shot. I'm glad I did; the BPSO impressed me mightily this weekend, and earns its reputation as one of the top amateur orchestras around. Not only was the music high quality and the rehearsals run in a professional manner, but everyone was insanely FRIENDLY. Smiles and introductions and offers to give me a lift or invitations to join for dinner... after my experience with the most unfriendly orchestra in England a week prior, this was a breath of fresh air. There was banter. There was a big crowd in the pub until 1am. And I'm happy to report, there was the invitation to join them long term.
I can't play in their big splashy December gig in Birmingham's Symphony Hall (paid work/holiday in Germany, what can I do!?), but I'd start up in January once I'm more settled in Nottingham. In the new job and city, I don't have an orchestra lined up, and this would fill that void very nicely. Another plus, it's an orchestra that is not filled with all 18 year olds or all 80 year olds. Meeting on weekends is a bit tricky to negotiate given that's my usual Dave time. However, it is sounding like the BPSO might need a third player in the section to fill in on cor/english horn. I do know this guy who might be willing and able... :)
Here are some random phone pics from my wanderings between the knackering musical schedule!
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| Hereford Cathedral, the venue for the evening concert |
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| Members of the wind section and the front of the cathedral |
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| New friends in front of what I assume is Hereford cattle |
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| View of Hereford from the Cathedral School during a break in rehearsal |
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| The river Wye, scenic as always! |
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| And it was a perfect autumn Sunday up until my train back to Cardiff |
