Your Frequently Answered Questions

Orchestras and Bands

Sign up for a free 2 weeks trial at Join the People’s Orchestra | Local Choirs and Orchestras (thepeoplesorchestra.com). 

 

Joining online. 

If you are interested in joining The People’s Orchestra, The Rusty Players Orchestra, or The People’s Big Band, go to the website Join the People’s Orchestra | Local Choirs and Orchestras (thepeoplesorchestra.com).  Click the button at the top of the page that says “2 weeks free” and complete the form.  

  • Fill in your name, email, and phone number. 
  • In the first drop down box, select the ensemble you are interested in. 
  • In the second drop down box, select your nearest venue (Rusty Players only). 
  • Remember to type the instrument you play into the box. 
  • Click sign up now and wait for an email!  Once you receive the email saying you are signed up for your free trial, you are good to go! 

You can, but we’d prefer if you could sign up for a free two-week trial to be able to join in with a rehearsal. We ask for sign up ahead of time to ensure we can provide music for you!  

 

Ideally, you need to have signed up online before you attend a rehearsal, just so that ensemble leaders know to expect you and are ready to help when you arrive.  Be sure to tell the leader who you are and your email details so they can record you have attended. 

Expect fun, friendship and a great variety of music from film, TV and theatre! 

First sessions of anything can be nerve wracking, but don’t worry!  When you get to your first practice, your leader will be there.  Go and introduce yourself, say hi and they will help you find your section in the ensemble.  Please let us know in advance if you have an unusual instrument (for an orchestra, such as a recorder, saxophone, accordion, guitar for example) so we can source sheet music that works for you. The People’s Orchestra strives for its ensembles to be friendly atmospheres that is designed to encourage and support you in attending rehearsals and telling us what you play will be a massive help. 

The leader will be your first port of call, but there will be lots of members who will gladly welcome you and steer you in the direction of the leader.  All our ensembles are full of welcoming and friendly people who will help make your time with them fun and memorable. 

Absolutely!  The more the merrier.  If you have a friend who wants to come along, they will need to sign up for a free two-week trial too, but you will be able to help them with that as you will have already done it.  We love it when people spread the word about our ensembles so feel free to bring as many friends as you like (if they have signed up for their trial!). 

Lots of people come to their first ensemble rehearsal without knowing anyone and very quickly make lots of new friends.  Your leader can introduce you to people in your section who will chat to you and explain what is going on.  As time goes on you will remember faces and feel much more comfortable talking to lots of different people.  

The most important things to bring are yourself and your instrument!  Lots of people like to bring a pen, highlighter or pencil so they can make notes on their music, and a water bottle is always a good idea.  Some people like to have a folder to keep their music in while they are singing, some people don’t.  A music stand is also a good idea.  Whatever you think will work best for you is what you need to bring.  

Each ensemble has its own way of running a practice session.  Some have a break part way through for a cuppa and a natter, some have tea and coffee before the session starts, some don’t do either!   

Each ensemble leader will have their own unique style and will teach the music in the order they feel suits the group best.   

It is important to note that sometimes we have a guest conductor for a rehearsal or two.  They will introduce themselves to the ensemble and may well have a different rehearsal style, but you will still get the same level of professionalism as you get with your regular leader. 

Sessions will usually start with a tuning session.  Once the tuning is completed, leaders will begin working on the music for that term.  Over the course of a term you will learn to play all of the pieces in full that you have been given.  It is always a treat to hear how a piece comes together over time, from the first few attempts with wobbly notes, to the final performance where everything fits into place. 

Children from the age of 9 are welcome to join the ensembles.  They can have a two-week free trial and will need parental supervision for each practice session.  From the age of 14, children can be dropped off at and collected from practice by an adult but can be unaccompanied during the session. 

When you sign a child up for an ensemble there will be forms that need to be completed, please make sure they are done so the leader knows they are expecting a child to attend. 

 

If you want to join an ensemble yourself but need childcare to be able to attend, please contact us on [email protected] and we will see if there is anything we can do to help.  Different venues and leaders will have different restrictions on what they might be able to offer. 

We are always happy to help with any enquiries or questions.  You can contact us on, [email protected] and someone will reply to you.   

Whichever ensemble you are a member of your leader or other members will be able to help in some instances.  You can also ask on Spond if you are a member or click the contact us button on the website. 

The charity offers other forms of support too, you can text the following numbers for support: 

  • Text the word WELFARE to 07821 854430 to get help and advice from a benefits advisor. 
  • Text the word SUPPORT to 07881 279970 to get help and advice from an employment advisor. 
  • Text the word KINDNESS to 07881 279970 for a natter with our Mental Health First Aider. 

  • You can tell us what you think about the ensembles through your leader, they love to hear your comments and will listen to your suggestions.   
  • You can also use the “Contact us” page on the website to let us know your thoughts. 
  • We sometimes send feedback forms out, fill them in and send them back. 
  • If you want to write a review, you can add it to Google reviews.  Just Google The People’s Orchestra and the option to write a review will come up on the right of the search page.  Click on write a review and tell everyone how amazing we are. 

We really hope you don’t ever need to make a complaint, but if you do here is the process. 

If it is a low-level issue that can be dealt with either by yourself or with the support of the choir leader, then that is always the first step.  We aim to treat everyone fairly and with respect.   

If you still can’t resolve the issue, then email [email protected] and we will assist you as much as possible. 

If you have a complaint about your ensemble leader or another member of TPO staff, please email Peter Davis at [email protected]. 

We have complaints procedure that we follow if needed, and all issues will be treated with the upmost care, attention and respect. 

Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our cool newsletter.