Frequently asked questions

How do I join the MFO as a player?

Firstly, please contact us to confirm your interest in attending. We’ll then suggest a date for you to come along to a rehearsal. You can either join in straight away or just sit in and shadow an MFO member to begin with, depending on your level of experience and how confident you feel.

Do I have to be able to read music?

Although it’s not a requirement to join, it is an advantage if you can read music and joining in will help you develop all your musical skills including sight reading. However there are members on hand who can help with tablature and chord symbols to start you on your way. You do need some basic playing ability before you join, as the orchestra will teach you how to play in ensemble but not specifically how to play your instrument.

Do I have to be a minimum standard or grade?

The MFO has an open access policy; we welcome everyone, regardless of level of ability.

Will I have to audition?

No!

Do you have instruments to loan out?

We have a limited amount of instruments which it may be possible to loan, this depends on your circumstances and the instrument in question.

Are you looking for players of any instrument in particular?

Whilst we actively welcome players of all fretted instruments, at present we are particularly looking to encourage players of mandolin family instruments; mandolin, mandola, mando cello and mando bass.. Orchestral string players (violinists and cellists) are very welcome to contact us if they are interested in developing a new skill, as many of our instruments are tuned the same as members of the orchestral strings and this can make swapping over very straight forward.

We are also looking for a cellist to play our cello banjo.

How much does it cost to join ?

Members pay £25.00 per year subs (£12.50 concessions).This helps to cover costs for hall hire, music and rehearsal refreshments. Money we raise from concerts also helps to cover these costs as well as paying for things like new equipment, instruments and commissioning new music. However, we would never turn anyone away through inability to pay the membership fee, this is a voluntary contribution to funds and anyone unable to contribute will still be welcome to join the orchestra.

How do I book MFO for a performance?

Contact us in the first instance, with information about the booking. (Please include as much information as possible such as; type of event, ie concert/fete/festival/charity or fundraising event; possible dates & times; fee/donation; venue)

How much will it cost?

This depends on the type of event and who it will benefit. As the MFO is a not-for-profit group, we exist to further the orchestra and rely on concert fees and fundraising to maintain the ensemble. We can help you fundraise for your charity, we do this regularly by sharing concert proceeds. Contact us with your ideas!

Where do you play?

In concert halls, churches, schools, bandstands, village halls, museums; at festivals, fetes, outdoor events, for dinners, lunches, meetings, parties, weddings etc etc

How many performances a year do you do?

Usually a minimum of four and up to as many as eight, per year.

What kind of music do you play?

We have a broad and diverse repertoire; this includes (examples of pieces, composers or genre in brackets) Gypsy jazz (Reinhardt), arrangements of Classical orchestral music (Tchaikovsky, Corelli, Stamitz, Faure) Blues (Tin Roof, Wolverine and St Louis Blues with our interpretations of Louis Armstrong improvisations), Ragtime (St Louis Tickle, The Stinging Bee, Shake yo’ Dusters), Folk (British, South American and European), Contemporary compositions for Fretted and Plucked Instrument Ensembles (Jezek, Gammie, Shearing) and Music Commissioned by MFO (Garcia, Jezek, Thomas, Gammie, Tong, Shearing, Mallinson).