YOUNG people with a love of music and string instruments are invited to be a part of Ipswich’s newest string orchestra.
Ipswich Music and Drama Academy director Brenna Lee-Cooney said young folk who loved to play a string instrument were encouraged to join the group she coached every Sunday evening.
“The string orchestra is for youth, so for people under the age of 18,” she said.
“The invitation to join is open to everyone in Ipswich and the surrounding areas.
“We have people join us from Gatton and even Laidley.”                                                                                                                                                                        Instruments in the string family include viola, violin, cello and double bass.
“Unfortunately, we don’t have any double bass players but we would love to have some,” she said.
At more than six feet long, the double bass is the biggest member of the string family. It’s the kind of instrument that dwarfs child players, making it one of the more challenging ones to play. She said many schools lent double basses to students studying the instrument and players of other string instruments would need to have their own in order to participate.
“Our youngest member is seven and our eldest, 17,” she said.
“They all have musical backgrounds of a grade two AMEB to a grade seven AMEB [Australian Music Examinations Board], so that’s the level of their playing.
“We take anyone who can read music, has some experience or is learning to play.
“Ultimately what I’d like is a senior and a junior group, so there is a younger or more beginner group and a group that is experienced it can feed into.”
The orchestra currently has 21 members. The Ipswich String Orchestra meets for two hours every Sunday afternoon at the Ipswich Masonic Hall