Musicians required

Gordon Rothwell, conductor for the Yarmouth orchestra, says it’s a good time to join, especially for the person who has played in the past and wants to start again.

“I know there’s people out there that play. Basically people come in and give it a try. We are a pretty relaxed bunch. We’ve had people that come in a little too early, but they return after they get another year under their belt,” said Rothwell.

The band practises will be a ‘little gentler’ at the start of the season to accommodate returning students, he added.

“The songs that we will be playing won’t be at the same difficulty level that we have been playing at.”

The band is in serious need of more musicians as a result of student exodus and members changing jobs and moving.

“We ended up losing five violins from our violin section last year. The full orchestra runs around 35ish when it was big,” said Rothwell.

“We’re probably down to about half that size in the strings. We have about 20 to 24,” he said.

Included amongst the losses is trumpet player, Jeff Hipson who joined the armed forces.

“He’s off doing basic training. So he’s going to play last post for those guys instead of for us,” laughed Rothwell.

Woodwinds, strings and trumpets are just a few of the instruments the orchestra needs more of. They alternate full rehearsals with split rehearsals (strings and citizens band) every other Tuesday.

Although selections will be easier at the start of the year, Rothwell says he still plans on including challenging pieces for senior members.

Newcomers to the orchestra can find playing with others to be a real boost to the ego.

“When you are by yourself it’s a little dull to just practise on your own... it’s kind of a big deal when you can sit in with a large group,” he said.

For instance, the band will be playing White Christmas with the Yarmouth community chorale later this year.

“It’s not a terribly difficult piece to play but with the chorale and the orchestra it becomes a big sound and people realize, hey. I’m a part of this and maybe I play better than I thought I did,” said Rothwell.

Publicizing the existence of the orchestra is important to him. People still come up to him expressing surprise at the existence of the band.

“It’s kind of special that our community can have an orchestra with strings and so forth because I think we are it west of Halifax. We’re doing okay,” he said.

For more information on the Yarmouth orchestra contact Rothwell at 902-742-9354.