Ulster Orchestra

Come and Play 2008

One hundred amateur musicians from across Northern Ireland experienced a day in the life of a professional musician when they take to the stage with the Ulster Orchestra on Sunday 13 April 2008.

Come and Play, a fun open day organised by the Ulster Orchestra’s Education and Outreach department, gives players aged from 10 to 70 a rare opportunity to rehearse and perform as part of an orchestra with an international reputation.

The huge band of musicians were involved in a tight rehearsal schedule in the Whitla Hall, Belfast, with guidance from conductor, Christopher Bell – always a charismatic personality. Then, in front of an audience, the expanded orchestra played a selection of well-known music which included Badelet’s Pirates of the Caribbean.

“Come and Play is one of the popular highlights of the Orchestra’s education activities,” said David Byers, Chief Executive of the Ulster Orchestra. “It’s wonderful to see so many people – of all ages – throwing themselves with such enthusiasm into making music. Creativity rules!”  

In July 2005, the Ulster Orchestra took its successful Come and Play outside Northern Ireland for the first time. Aspiring musicians in Cork had the opportunity to play with the Ulster Orchestra as part of the Cork 2005 City of Culture celebrations.

Each year, the Orchestra's Education and Outreach Department is inundated with requests for places at the event.  Unfortunately there were no spaces left for this year’s Come & Play for some time, but anyone interested can book for next year by completing the online booking form which will become available in September 2008. 

Thank you for coming along on Sunday 13 April to play with the Ulster Orchestra in the Whitla Hall. We hope you had a fun and interesting day, and that you will have taken away from it many happy memories as well as some useful performance tips. I also hope that your friends and relatives enjoyed the final performance.

Your views and reviews are coming soon!