Get into the groove with the South Orange Symphony

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SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Do you have fond memories of playing in a high school or college symphony orchestra? Do you sometimes think about reprising those days, even if only for a couple of hours?

Pick up your instrument — whatever it may be — and come to a community open rehearsal with the South Orange Symphony on Tuesday, Sept. 5, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the South Orange Middle School Auditorium, 70 N. Ridgewood Ave. Refreshments will be served afterward.

Conductor Susan Haig will lead the orchestra through several pieces planned for this year’s concerts, including Brahms’ 3rd Symphony; Tchaikovsky’s “Marche Slav,” Bernstein’s “Candide Overture” and more.

What to expect? This writer succumbed to an open rehearsal invitation two years ago. Having a free evening and up for something other than the ordinary weekday routine, I picked up the viola that I had barely touched since my high school days. I managed bits and pieces here and there, and could laugh at myself trying to play everything else. Fortunately an understanding stand partner helped me keep my place.

For whatever reason I went back the next week and then kept going. It’s never easy but it’s also amazing how much one learns during the nine-week rehearsal cycles between concerts. Our audience includes families with young children, working adults and retirees. Our concerts are free and all listeners are welcome — first-timers as well as orchestra fans. Playing in the orchestra may be something one does for oneself but it’s also a way to give something back to the community.

If nothing else, come to the open rehearsal to learn something new about the South Orange community and region, and to have some fun. Maybe you’ll make a note to come to one of the concerts. Then again, as the lotto tagline goes: “Hey, you never know!”

The South Orange Symphony rehearses weekly from September through May and presents three free community concerts each year. There are approximately 55 core members, who range from touring professionals to enthusiastic amateurs. The orchestra is always looking for string players, and has limited openings for other instruments. All are welcome at the Sept. 5 reading and social.

The South Orange Symphony receives funding in part from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts and administered by the Essex County Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs and matching gift funds from several New Jersey corporations. The balance of funding comes from individual donors.

For more information, visit www.sosymphony.org or see South Orange Symphony’s Facebook page.

Photos and text were provided by John Tierney.

  South Orange Middle School, South Orange Symphony