Lament as orchestra strikes its final note
THE Rochdale Youth Orchestra, which has performed in the borough and beyond for over 50 years, has announced its closure.
Citing a reduction in the number of players who leave for university as a reason, the small group of organisers said it was now time to “move on”.
The group decided to close as an orchestra in July 2018 and since then have been existing to provide lessons only.
Treasurer Paula Williams said: “Over the last two years we have seen a reduction in player numbers due to students leaving for college and university. We do not receive referrals of pupils from local schools as they are referred directly to Rochdale Music Service.
“As a small independent
charity with teachers who lived out of the area we felt it was unlikely we would be able to increase the player numbers in the future. We were also trying to organise concerts and events, run weekly rehearsals, and maintain the registered charity records with a committee made up of only two members, myself and Amanda Henderson.
“In July 2018 we therefore decided to close as an orchestra and concentrate on providing individual and group instrumental and theory lessons for the remaining players, and we had some parents who took up the offer of learning an instrument.
“We have now with regret decided that it is the time to move on.”
Founder Ken Millington, who passed away in 2014, was appointed music adviser to Rochdale County Borough Council in 1967 with a specific brief to establish a youth orchestra.
By 1974, the organisation serviced free training in instruments through many schools in the area and went on several tours including trips to Vienna and Holland.
Paula extended her thanks to the most recent Musical Director, Jeremy Salter, for his help alongside Oulder Hill Community School for providing rehearsal rooms and storage facilities.
She said: “Jeremy and our strings teacher, Nicola Costello, had taught the students for many years within the orchestra and over the last four years they have given our players the opportunity to play a wide range of modern and classical music. We have performed traditional concerts at both St Mary’s and St Chad’s churches, played film themes for visitors at the Dale-Con event in front of the Town Hall and gave a Halloween performance at Rochdale Cricket Club.
“We would like to thank the local community, Rochdale Childer and the many other local charities and patrons who have kindly supported the orchestra.”