membership information

All orchestral instruments (strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion) are welcome. Membership is open to adults and students (generally junior high age and up) who are able to play at a high school level or above, and who have a positive and cooperative attitude.

Ideal candidates for participation in the Northshore Community Orchestra include:

• Adults who wish to bring the joy of playing music in a group back into their lives (don't worry if you haven't played since high school or college... you'll be surprised at how quickly it comes back)... dust off that old instrument! We've even had adults who decided to take up a musical instrument for the first time, and after a year or two of private lessons were able to join our group
• School band, talented music, and strings program students who would enjoy the different experience of performing with a full orchestra
• Home schooled students (or students who are not members of their school's music program) who take private lessons and would enjoy the musical interaction that comes from playing in a group setting

Tryouts typically take place in early September (usually the Tuesday after Labor Day) and again mid-season in early January, but we do sometimes hold individual auditions at other times. The audition is simple and painless... just come with your instrument, prepared to play a brief solo piece of music that demonstrates your skill level, as well as a sight-reading piece that will be provided. We do not always have openings for every instrument, though as a general rule, we always are in need of strings (violin, viola, cello, bass).

Please email mcaswell@northshoreorchestra.org if you are interested in learning more.

Membership dues are $50 per year. Rehearsals take place at St. Margaret Mary Church on Tuesday evenings, 7pm - 9pm. The season for the orchestra generally runs from August through May of the following year.