August 2014 – Fringe Concert

August 2014 – Edinburgh Fringe

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This year we had a rather special concert as we were joined by guest players from across the ocean. There were 17 players from 5 American terrible orchestras, led by Sara Usher from the Really Terrible String Orchestra of San Franscisco Bay. Many of our guests stayed with RTO players and they joined us for the rehearsals before the performance where they demonstrated that they had indeed been preparing all year for the concert.

The concert took the RTO back to its roots by performing in Canongate Kirk, venue for the first performance 19 years before, to a capacity crowd. There was a strong American flavour to what was a truly international programme, with Sousa and Gershwin alongside the very British Knightsbridge March and The Scottish Suite. The finale was Ashokan Farewell, a tune written as a tribute to the carnage of the American Civil War and Sir Richard handed the baton over to Sara to conduct it. The programme can be seen here.

(Have we any photographs of the actual concert? I have located some, US1-6)

On the following day, we hosted our American guests at a reception and lunch in the New Club providing the players from RTOOT, TACO, RTO-PA, RTSO and RTO Westchester with the impressive view of the Edinburgh skyline.

We have been invited to join them in the U.S. at some point in the future, however such an endeavour would require much planning before we could consider this option.

Our Emerging Composers

Edwin at desk
Edwin Sun Winner of the Emerging Composers Competition 2016 A Wee bit of Irish Scottish Jig
 FeyiNew
 Feyi Adebiyi Sinfonia No 1
 Jack
 Jack McKenzie A Tale of Old
 CarolinePennCropped
 Caroline Penn The Witches
 Ryan
 Ryan Yard River Travels Onwards

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EMERGING COMPOSER

Emerging Composer Announced!

Edwin and Sandy cropped fuzzy

The £1,000 winner was Edwin Sung, with the Celtic A Wee Big Irish Scottish Jig. Choosing a runner-up from some fantastic compositions was impossible, so we had 4. See here for details.
We have 5 terrific pieces of music to rehearse and play in a special concert next Spring. Watch the website for details.

Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2015

The Really Terrible Orchestra will be returning to play at the Fringe Festival on Saturday 15th August 2015. Tickets will be available from an orchestra member or edinburgh fringe box office shortly.

Programme will include newly commissioned music, Challenging pieces by Greig, Beethoven, and Rossini.

OUR GLASGOW DEBUT

Alexander McCall Smith in conversation during our debut concert at Glasgow's City Hall on 13 October 2012.

You can find more images about this unique event here
Photography: ©Alex Hewitt.

Five Star RTO

Five-star the RTO continues to lead the revolution for the musically disadvantaged with its unique musical interpretations. A triumph that proves bad is good. With its blend of humour, musicality and lack of technical prowess, the players surge through a lively programme taking the audience with them, creating a wave of excitement and hope that nothing will go wrong. The RTO never disappoints. 'These musicians who are dreadful are always a hot ticket. How can that be?' (ABC News) MORE

Fanfare for Glasgow

13 October 2012 at CIty Hall, Glasgow.

Click on the image to view the Glasgow Gallery.

Photographs: © Alex Hewitt.