Playing for Pleasure

Many young musicians learn an instrument but don’t feel confident about joining an orchestra. Some learn an instrument at school and then give up a few years later due to lack of time or opportunity.

Playing for Pleasure is an informal group of musicians that provides a relaxed and enjoyable environment for learning how to play with others, or allowing people to get back into playing.

They rehearsed at the Ulster College of Music until lockdown, but then moved – initially because of social distancing, and latterly because it became a larger group. However, they have only moved round the corner to the Majestic on the Lisburn Road, and remain keen to retain links with the Ulster College of Music.

Their ethos is about getting people back into playing music or making the jump from solo practicing to playing with other people, and they offer instrumentalists and singers an opportunity to try out solos or concertos with a sympathetic band before playing something more ambitious.

They have a wide range of ages and abilities and provide a welcoming environment for anyone making the big step into playing with others. Its members range from young musicians who want to experience the excitement of playing in a group to experienced musicians who may be trying out a different instrument from their usual one.

They have discovered that there is no such thing as a wrong note amongst friends, only a note that didn’t land in the right place this time, but is sure to be better next time.

New players are always welcome, but please contact them to ensure they will have music for your instrument. Most parts are downloadable from the internet, but sometimes parts have to be arranged to instruments other than strings.

Further information is available from Marcus Patton at playingforpleasureorchestra@gmail.com.