New Community Adult Orchestra in Phibsboro

The Offbeat Ensemble is seeking donations of adult-sized string instruments.

New Community Adult Orchestra in Phibsboro

Two Irish musicians, Ciara Cavanagh and Nathan Sherman, are founding a community adult string orchestra in Phibsboro, Dublin. Welcoming players of all levels — even complete beginners — the Offbeat Ensemble will meet weekly, with rehearsals at St Peter’s Primary School (next to Dalymount Park) starting at 7pm each Wednesday from 17 April.

Cavanagh and Sherman will provide group classes for those taking part, covering the violin, viola, cello and double bass as well as ensemble playing, and it anticipated that two or three informal concerts will be held each year. The project is said to be modelled on the St Agnes Adult Orchestra in Crumlin, which now has over eighty members.

Anyone with an unused or unwanted adult-sized string instrument at home is encouraged to consider donating it to the project; the organisers would like to be able to loan instruments to members of the Offbeat Ensemble.

Cavanagh, a freelance violinist and music teacher, spoke to The Journal of Music this week about the new venture.

What prompted you to set up the Offbeat Ensemble?

Nathan and I wanted to create an opportunity for adults to learn an instrument in a fun, friendly and supportive environment. The players who join will be people who might not have had a chance to learn music in their childhood or perhaps those who have never been able to afford individual music lessons. Both of us teach in a number of community music projects in Dublin, and we find this kind of teaching very rewarding. We wanted to set up a late-starters orchestra for adults on the north side of Dublin, where there is currently no similar project.

Based on your own experience, what aspects of ensemble playing would you most like to bring to the group?

In our experience, it is wonderful to be able to play in a group, creating music that you cannot make when playing alone. We emphasise the importance of each individual player’s technique and musicality, and how that will contribute to the orchestra’s overall sound.

What will your approach be when looking for music to play?

We source interesting, fun and accessible music which accommodates players with different levels of experience. Each line of the music will also have simpler arrangements for those who need to build on their technique and confidence before moving on to a harder version of the same piece.

What would you tell people at their very first rehearsal?

Learning a new instrument requires a lot of practice and can often be frustrating, but every new step learnt is an achievement. We believe that players will have a very rewarding experience playing in the Offbeat Ensemble. We tell players that they are here to have fun — let’s make music together, meet new people and enjoy ourselves.

offbeat-ensemble.com

Published on 17 April 2013

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