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Member Groups: Regina
Community Orchestra
The Regina
Community Orchestra is a member-run, volunteer organization which has
operated continuously in Regina
for over twenty years. Its membership is open to adults and older youth
who want to play symphonic music (strings, winds, brass, percussion) both classical and contemporary. Basic
instrumental and musical skills are necessary since the orchestra is
oriented towards performance rather than teaching. The orchestra provides
an opportunity for its members to play music that they enjoy, develop
their musical skills further, socialize with others having similar
interests, and perform for the community at large. Financial support for
the orchestra is provided through membership fees, operating grants from
the Saskatchewan Orchestral Association and the City of Regina, and occasional donations from
individuals and corporations to meet specific needs.
The
orchestra is administered by an executive comprised of orchestra members
elected by the general membership on an annual basis. The orchestras Music Director is paid a nominal fee to
conduct rehearsals and concerts and to assist the orchestra with the
development of its annual music program. Membership in the orchestra is
open to anyone without audition on a volunteer basis; however, basic
instrumental and musical skills are necessary since the orchestraâs principal operating objective is
performance rather than instruction.
The orchestras continuation and success in Regina is due
entirely to its ability to attract new members and to sustain and grow
its membership levels. Since orchestra members are at various levels of
musical development and experience, music selection and an adequate
library is of critical importance to ensure that the orchestra can
perform satisfactorily in concert while providing its members with a
worthwhile and enjoyable musical experience that they will wish to
continue for some time.
The chief
measure of success for the orchestra is, of course, the music program.
The personal enjoyment of the members and that of our respective
audiences with what we play and how well we play it is paramount to
everything else that we do. The job of the executive is to facilitate
this enjoyment by ensuring that whatever we do administratively will:
a.
support the need for our members and grant agencies to
be well-informed;
b.
ensure that our music program reflects our current
skills, is balanced and also developmental; and
c.
preserve our current
membership and make the orchestra attractive to potential new members.
The Music Program Committee, has
been formed to foster greater membership involvement in selecting new
music and promoting outreach activities for and by the orchestra.
Annually,
the Regina Community Orchestra plays approximately seven concerts. Five
or six of these are for residences in seniors homes, public and private.
The other scheduled concerts are for the public at large. The orchestra
strives to encourage its members to provide music through their composing
and arranging skills. Two members, Glenna Herman and Robert Schmidt have
contributed new compositions and arrangements.
Our
Music Director:
Yvonne Redant is an accomplished trombonist. She
teaches in the music program of the Regina Public School Board. Yvonne
has also conducted the Regina Mandolin Orchestra and the Poltava
Ensemble. Yvonne is in her fifth year with the Regina Community
Orchestra.
Yvonne is
from Yorkton
where her family was long known as music supporters in the community.
Annually Yvonne heads back to Yorkton
to presents awards at the Yorkton Music Festival which exist as a legacy
from her family.
Yvonne's
background includes two summer tours with the Saskatchewan Express and
the New York tour with the University of Regina Jazz Band.
Our
Instrumentation:
Violin
(4), Viola (1), Cello (2), Double Bass (2), Oboe (1), Flute (5), Clarinet
(3), Bass Clarinet (1), Alto Saxophone (1), French Horn (1), Trumpet (2),
Trombone (2), Tuba (2), Percussion (1)
For
concert bookings, please feel free to contact any of our executive.
RCO
Photo Gallery
Click the
images below to view the large size.
The
Regina Community Orchestra would like to thank the following for their
generous support: The City of Regina, Saskatchewan Orchestral
Association, SaskLotteries, The Saskatchewan
Arts Board and SaskCulture.
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