Miss the glory days of high school orchestra? Still have your violin, or flute, or trombone – but you don’t take it out to play it like you always mean to? Want to sing somewhere besides the shower?
Did you know that you are not alone? There are some wonderful community orchestras, bands, and choirs throughout the region, and they would love to have you join in making music with them.
Evan Dawson hosted a great program about community orchestras on Connections. You can listen to that discussion here.
I thought it might be helpful to put together a directory of different groups you can join. I've listed them alphabetically, with info on where and when rehearsals are and how you can contact them. This first installment is a directory of community orchestras – I’ll follow up with bands, choirs, and a few other eclectic groups over the next few weeks.
Brighton Symphony Orchestra
Ric Jones, Music Director; Jonathan Allentoff, Associate Conductor
Rehearsals: Wednesday nights, 7:30pm at Brighton Recreation, 220 Idlewood Road, Rochester
No audition required. To find out about openings, please contact President Michael Allentoff at brightonsymphony@yahoo.com
Brockport Symphony Orchestra
Jonathan Allentoff, Founding Music Director
Rehearsals: Thursday nights, 7:30pm at Cornerstone Academy Music Room, 60 Holley Street, Brockport
No audition required. To find out about openings, please contact Jonathan Allentoff at brockportco@yahoo.com
Finger Lakes Symphony Orchestra
Rehearsals: Tuesday nights, 7pm, Red Jacket High School, 1506 State Route 21 # 2, Shortsville
For information about joining the orchestra, contact Lois Michalko (Personnel Director) at lmichalk@rochester.rr.com.
Genesee Symphony Orchestra
Shade Zajac, Music Director
Rehearsals: Monday nights, 7-9:30pm, Batavia High School
No audition required. Interested players should contact Roxie Choate (Personnel Manager/Board
President) via email: roxie.gso@gmail.com
Genesee Valley Orchestra & Chorus
Christopher Petit, Music Director
Rehearsals: Thursday nights, 7-9pm, St Paul's Lutheran Church, 28 Lincoln Road, Pittsford
Auditions heard by appointment, contact Dr. Christopher Petit, 223-9006 or info@gvoc.org
GPAS Greece Community Orchestra
Jonathan Allentoff, Music Director
Rehearsals: Monday nights, 7:00pm at Arcadia Middle School Band Room, 130 Island Cottage Road, Rochester
No audition required. To find out about openings, please contact Jonathan Allentoff at gcorchestra@yahoo.com
GPAS Greece Symphony Orchestra
Dr. David Fetler, Music Director
Rehearsals: Tuesday nights, 7:30pm at Odyssey Academy Band Room, 750 Maiden Lane, Rochester
To find out about openings, please call David Fetler at 585-473-6711 or email Artistic Coordinator Jonathan Allentoff at jonallentoff@aol.com
Penfield Symphony Orchestra
David Harman, Music Director
Rehearsals: Monday nights, 7:30pm-10pm,
Auditions for the Penfield Symphony Orchestra are held throughout the season, as necessary. Apply online here: http://www.penfieldsymphony.org/musiciansapplication.html
Roberts Wesleyan Community College Orchestra
Paul Shewan, Conductor
Rehearsals: Monday nights, 7-9:30pm, Roberts Wesleyan College Cultural Life Center
Contact Dr. Paul Shewan for further participation information by emailing him at ShewanP@roberts.edu
University of Rochester Symphony Orchestra
David Harman, conductor
Rehearsals: Tuesday nights, 7-10:30pm, Strong Auditorium at the University of Rochester
Brief audition required at the beginning of the fall semester, contact David Harman david.harman@rochester.edu
