“The most beautiful shape on earth is a violin.”
And so begins a conversation with Tom Brighouse and fellow cello player Geoff Benson, who are members of the Shuswap String Orchestra..
“Our orchestra opened for a rock band...,” continues Brighouse of a New Year’s Eve gig at Elk’s Hall. “And we got a standing ovation from all those rock people.”
Benson and Brighouse are on the hunt for more members for the orchestra, which is now under the leadership of Brenden Majerech.
The Shuswap String Orchestra was created 12 years ago by local parents of students who played string instruments.
They were joined by string teachers in the Shuswap area. The orchestra quickly developed into a community orchestra as more adult string players joined.
At one time there were 35 to 40 players with ages ranging from 11 to 80 years.
The musicianship improved over time, and the orchestra regularly received a “Gold” standard at the Shuswap Music Festival.
With School District #83 no longer able to support a paid director, many of the members who wanted the orchestra to continue hired a director and formed the Shuswap String Orchestra Society.
But the numbers have dwindled to about 18 members with only five young people, something Brighouse attributes, in part, to the fact there is no longer a school connection – except free rehearsal space, for which the group is grateful.
The orchestra is composed of violin, viola, cello and bass players of all ages who rehearse from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Shuswap Middle School on Wednesdays during the school year.
“The music is as wide a range of styles as you can imagine and playable by anyone who has studied their instrument for a few years,” says Benson. “Stronger players will be challenged with more difficult parts and leadership roles.”
Potential members are invited to take their instruments to a Wednesday rehearsal.
For more information, contact Geoff Benson at 250-804-1040, or email benson.geoff137@gmail.com.