Ethos
Running a Youth Orchestra in the twenty first century and competing with all the opportunities and attractions available to children today provides many challenging problems. Stoneleigh Youth Orchestra has developed a very clear sense of where we stand in today’s world and why we stand there; a clear sense of what we offer and what we expect in return from our members which is firmly rooted in a belief and value system . We project a point of view about the world which is reflected in the way we work and the standard of musical excellence which we strive for. Simply stated:
An orchestra is not a democracy. For an orchestra to flourish it has to have clear rules and expectations and for those to be honoured by its members. It has to be run in a similarly disciplined way as an army , an idea which can seem old fashioned in today’s world.
An orchestra is a meritocracy. Progression from the Training Orchestra into the Main Orchestra and within the main orchestra from player to leader of a section is decided solely on ability .
An orchestra is only as strong as its weakest link. It is vital that each player feels a sense of commitment to their fellow players and is willing to contribute their time and effort without question. Attendance at rehearsals is a crucial part of this commitment to the team.
Click here to find out more about aims and expectations once you join the orchestra.