| About the Orchestra | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| STAFF | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CONDUCTOR | PRESIDENT | TREASURER | SECRETARY | MANAGER | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Jeffrey Stirling | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Paul Tidemann | Agnes Wolf | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bev Kinsman | Bob Scott | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MISSION STATEMENT | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| We are to our knowledge the only amateur orchestra in the metropolitan Twin Cities that rehearses in
the daytime - Friday mornings from 9:30 - 12 noon, at St. William's Church
in Fridley. The orchestra welcomes inquiries from amateur musicians. Auditions are non-competitive, but places available depend on the needs of the orchestra for instrumental balance. Our mission is for our members, some of whom have been playing their instruments for over 50 years, to have a way of continuing to play and enjoy the company of musical peers. |
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| HISTORY OF THE NORTHEAST ORCHESTRA | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| by Betty Scott | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Northeast Orchestra grew from the love of classical music that led
6 members of the Fridley League of Women Voters in 1972 to begin to
meet together to play the instruments that they had laid aside years
earlier. They met in one another's homes. More and more players asked
to join until almost immediately the group outgrew living rooms and
became an orchestra. In the early years, the Orchestra used "Chamber"
in its name to indicate a small orchestra. Today that description no
longer fits - today the orchestra numbers some 60 players. And while
the original core was women who lived in Fridley today both men and
women come from every direction in the Twin Cities and their suburbs to
enjoy music together. Fridley remains the orchestra's home area. The first impetus was members playing for their own enjoyment. Soon, however, the orchestra began to give concerts, and for its more than 25 years the mission of the group has been dual - to provide an opportunity for amateur musicians to perform, while performing at a high level for the enjoyment of diverse audiences. Yearly the orchestra plays 4 concerts, one shared with the local band. Concerts are usually in Fridley,but occasionally in other northern locations. Knowing that, as Peter Schickele said, "All musics are created equal." however, not all "musics" get equal exposure, especially to young audiences, for several years the orchestra played a series of concerts in various Fridley public elementary and middle schools, supported by The United Arts School Arts Fund of COMPAS. "Diversity" is a key word for this orchestra. Many of our members are retired.yet young players add their energies - the oldest member was still puffing on his bassoon at the age of 91 while the youngest player was a 15-year old violinist. Some players, even some of advanced years, began to study their instruments only recently, while others have graduate degrees in music. Diversity also marks the music styles the orchestra has selected to perform. Concerts have been comprised of selections from over 300 years of Western music, and one concert was entirely music from mainland China. |
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