Musical no-hopers strike chord
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.There is something seductive about a musical instrument. Even the player with no talent will persevere, happy to be lost in the world it opens up and occasionally surprised when the note rings true.
The trouble is finding people to play with, which is why author Alexander McCall Smith founded the Really Terrible Orchestra as a "refuge for the musically challenged".
Last night the Edinburgh-based orchestra performed before a sell-out crowd at the Cadogan Hall in London, even though those paying punters would have done better to go to see their children's school bands.
But Mr McCall Smith's idea has struck a nerve. The Really Terrible Orchestra has become really successful. "We both play, me bassoon and my wife Elizabeth flute – she hesitantly, me extremely incompetently – but we soon found other equally weak players who wanted to join," he said.
These players may be weak, but many have found success in other fields, which is perhaps why they are willing to display their musical incompetence with such pride. They are Edinburgh's politicians, bankers, judges, surgeons and academics.
The inherent danger of performing regularly is that the orchestra might actually become good.
Mr McCall Smith is dubious. "We do have some truly dire players," he said. "One of our cellists has to have the names of the strings written in pencil on his bridge in order to remember them.
"Another clarinettist can't go above middle B flat and I can't manage a C sharp at all, it must be design fault in the bassoon."
He went on to explain that if by chance any player did improve too much the orchestra compensated by admitting someone of considerably less talent.
By listening carefully, I was able to recognise last night's first piece, "The Dambusters March".
The atmosphere in the hall rose to a pitch of excitement seldom experienced at an orchestral concert as we all sang along to The Sound of Music.
Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)
Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music
Sign up now for a 4 month free trial (3 months for non-Prime members)
The orchestra concluded with the final 60 bars of Beethoven's 8th Symphony. It was a magnificent finale – received, as is usual for the Really Terrible Orchestra, with a standing ovation.
It really was a terribly good evening.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments