What vacancies are there?
We currently have vacancies for violins, violas & cellists. We have a no auditions policy, so if you're thinking of joining, why not come along and give it a try?
We would also welcome interest from double bass and brass players. With woodwind, doubling up on parts normally doesn't work for the orchestra as a whole or for the individual part players. But our players do occasionally have other life commitments, so we encourage you to take part for an evening and leave your details so that we can let you know when opportunities arise.
If you are interested in joining NLS, please get in touch here.
We would also welcome interest from double bass and brass players. With woodwind, doubling up on parts normally doesn't work for the orchestra as a whole or for the individual part players. But our players do occasionally have other life commitments, so we encourage you to take part for an evening and leave your details so that we can let you know when opportunities arise.
If you are interested in joining NLS, please get in touch here.
Who can play?
We give the opportunity to play to anyone who has enthusiasm and commitment! The orchestra currently includes active and retired professionals, accomplished amateurs, people returning to their instrument after a break and even people who originally began learning their instrument as an adult.
There is no formal audition process; if you feel that you can read and play well enough to contribute to the orchestra, please sit in on a rehearsal and see how it works out. All we ask is that players make a commitment to come to the weekly rehearsals, and to practise when they can.
There is no formal audition process; if you feel that you can read and play well enough to contribute to the orchestra, please sit in on a rehearsal and see how it works out. All we ask is that players make a commitment to come to the weekly rehearsals, and to practise when they can.
What about finances?
It does require funds to hire the rehearsal venue and musical materials - and to secure good professional input from the conductor, leader and soloists. Participants are expected to support the orchestra by subscriptions of £100 a term, or a £50 concessionary rate.
New members are encouraged to try out the orchestra before they commit themselves, and people for whom the fee could be an obstacle to membership are invited to discuss this with the committee; we don't want money to be a reason for not joining the orchestra!
Every member can help our funds by encouraging friends and relatives to attend our concerts, which are always great fun because they offer fantastic music played with huge enthusiasm in an intimate and local setting.
New members are encouraged to try out the orchestra before they commit themselves, and people for whom the fee could be an obstacle to membership are invited to discuss this with the committee; we don't want money to be a reason for not joining the orchestra!
Every member can help our funds by encouraging friends and relatives to attend our concerts, which are always great fun because they offer fantastic music played with huge enthusiasm in an intimate and local setting.
What if I don't play?
We will always welcome volunteers to help, either selling tickets or serving refreshments at concerts, or preparing and distributing concert programmes and flyers. You would also be highly valued if you could take on a role such as librarian (organising library loans of orchestral sets, distributing and collecting back parts) or treasurer (mainly collecting subscriptions).
