A NEWLY-formed orchestra is seeking to build on the success of one which meets on a Wednesday morning. St Albans Rehearsal Orchestra (SARO) wants to offer the same opportunity during the evening for players who cannot manage a midweek morning because of w

A NEWLY-formed orchestra is seeking to build on the success of one which meets on a Wednesday morning.

St Albans Rehearsal Orchestra (SARO) wants to offer the same opportunity during the evening for players who cannot manage a midweek morning because of work or family commitments.

The aim of the orchestra is to play a wide range of music for enjoyment but not to give concerts which not only enables more challenging works to be attempted but also accommodates players whose attendance may be unavoidably erratic at times.

The plan is to meet about 35 times during the year in three sessions roughly aligned to school terms.

The orchestra is self-financing and will have to charge a subscription which is currently set at £5 per evening. Membership is by application and thereafter essentially by self-selection.

There are no auditions and no formal minimum standards although an ability to sight-read would be helpful. Current membership stands at around 26, about equally divided between strings and woodwind.

SARO meets on Monday because that does not clash with the current rehearsal dates of existing local orchestras and sessions are held from 8pm to 9.30pm at Homewood Road United Reformed Church in St Albans.

Young Bulgarian Martin Georgiev has recently taken over from Robert Tuohy as conductor and the summer term runs from Monday, April 7, until Monday, July 7, excluding the two bank holidays.

Anyone who wants to attend is asked to bring a music stand if possible.