Passing on the Baton

The baton raps the music stand three times and Jan (Conductor) asks Susan (First Violin) to play an A.  And the practice begins.

This is how Definitely Not the Symphony (DNTS) usually begins its weekly practices. 

DNTS,  however, is looking for a new Music Director/Conductor.  Jan, who has been with the orchestra since its creation is planning on enjoying a well-deserved retirement from the orchestra and Liam, who began playing with the orchestra when he was still in junior high school, and has co-conducted for the past three and a half years is about to pursue graduate studies off-island. They will both be leaving the orchestra at the end of June this year.  

DNTS celebrated its tenth anniversary last year and over that time the orchestra has tackled over 60 pieces of music. There are current members who started learning to play the recorder who are now playing the flute and violin.  

We have orchestral instruments such as violin, cello, flute, clarinet, French horn, trumpet, and percussion. But we also have some unconventional instruments not normally found in an orchestra including: celtic harp, recorders, alto saxophone, keyboard, electric bass guitar, and acoustic guitars.

We have performed for cruise ships, the Superstore at Christmas, and Stratford City Hall, but mostly  given concerts for the staff and residents of Andrews of Stratford who welcome us into their Activities Room every week and allow us to practice.  

We have made a quilt, a musical travelogue and a soundscape composition and played kazoos in unison! We know each other by our instruments such as Ken (Flute) and Carol (Harp).

There has been the happiness of discovering that we could play something together, and sometimes disagreements about how this should be done. There has been moaning about having 37 bars of rests and anxiety about the challenges presented by a particular piece of music but there has always been mutual support and joy in playing music together.  

There have been high school and university graduations, three weddings, five new babies, several new grandchildren, retirements, some great parties and plenty of laughter.  

Some members have moved away, some have moved on, and some sadly have passed away but through all that there has been the musical oasis of DNTS every Saturday morning and the community that surrounds it.

We have played terribly and we have played well but we have always tried our best to learn and improve. The joy that music brings continues to hold us together and to now look for a replacement conductor to share our community with.

The deadline for expressions of interest in the Music Director/Conductor position is 31st March 2020 and may be submitted to Chris at dntsstratford@gmail.com.

If expressing interest please include a few words on what it is that interests you about the role and what experience you have that may be helpful in this position. We hope that you will want to join us and help keep this community alive.

To learn even more about DNTS please visit us on Facebook or contact Chris (Second Violin) at 902-569-3818.