The Rehearsal Orchestra is a symphony orchestra that runs weekend and full week orchestral courses for serious amateurs and future professionals; it offers training in intensive rehearsal, rehearsing classical and contemporary music under the baton of prominent conductors. You do not have to be a member to play with us; just contact the administrator (see Contact) and apply for a course!

2009/10 COURSES

For full details, see Courses

2009

• 28-29 November: Wagner, Lohengrin

2010

• January 16 & 17 Mahler: Symphony No 9 - Conductor: Levon Parikian
• February 21 Vaughan Williams: Symphony No 9 - Conductor: Timothy Redmond
• March 28 Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique - Conductor: Robert Chasey
• April 25 Film Music Elfman: Batman Suite, Korngold:Sea Hawk Overture, Rozsa: Ben Hur, Williams: Suite from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - Conductor: Stephen Bell
• May 22 & 23 Strauss: Ein Heldenleben - Conductor: Levon Parikian (Please note: Saturday rehearsal may take place in the evening.)
• August Edinburgh Week course

Our 2010 programme of weekend courses is as rich and varied as ever, with something for everyone. We mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of Gustav Mahler with his powerful and haunting 9th Symphony. Another final symphony, this time Vaughan Williams' 9th, offers comparison and contrast. From there to the psychedelic world of Hector Berlioz and his Symphonie Fantastique, then the comparative sanity of Hollywood and a Film Music programme.

The mild underlying theme of heroism comes to the fore in our final course of the series, with Richard Strauss' Ein Heldenleben.

The wealth of music we play, under the guidance of outstanding conductors, gives musicians the opportunity to play challenging music that will stretch the serious amateur while preparing the future professional for the intensity and speed of rehearsal that they will encounter in the profession.

Levon Parikian, Artistic Director

ARTWORK by Mary Shillabeer and Adele Wagstaff

As part of our 50th anniversary celebrations in 2007, an exhibition was held at Edinburgh's Royal Lyceum Theatre of the work of artist Mary Shillabeer, who painted and sketched the Rehearsal Orchestra at its annual summer Edinburgh courses from the very first course in 1957 until her death in 1992 at the age of 88. A number of originals and prints are now for sale. For more information, please contact the Administrator on 020 7820 9994 or email admin@rehearsal-orchestra.org.

During the last few years, artist Adele Wagstaff has sketched and painted the orchestra, when not playing her violin, and an exhibition of Adele's work was held at George Heriot's School during the 50th anniversary Edinburgh summer course in 2007 as well as at the orchestra's June 2007 and January 2008 London weekend courses. Selected pieces are available to purchase. To see examples of Adele's work, please visit her website, www.adele.derosee.info, or contact the Administrator for more information.