(Very) Junior County Orchestra - are children always much more advanced than entry requirements?

[sunyousaw]

DD has decided to join the most junior of our county orchestras, which is aimed at G3-5. She passed G3 in the summer term. She is a bit concerned that "everyone will be miles better than that" . And also slightly surprised that the concert dress-code is ankle length black skirt for girls/bow tie etc for boys. I have said not to read too much into the clothing, and that as I understand it often the interpretation can be quite liberal (although whether it is in this specific case I don't know). And that yes, clearly some people will be more advanced, but that with two G5+ orchestras and the actual county youth orchestra in existence it seems unlikely hers will be stuffed with players at much, much higher levels. Am I likely to be right? She has seen 'her' orchestra rehearse a few times and is not relishing the shouty conductor. Still wants to do it though!

Dd2 is in a local band that takes it seriously.

I would say that she will be fine at grade 3. It will be minimum standard at grade 3 but unless they make them audition on top, they can't possibly refuse them so there's likely to be a number of new starters like her. If the other orchestras ae grade 5+ then I'd guess a certain number of the grade 5s will have moved up.

The skirts though I'd say you are wrong. Ime orchestras are often very strict on such things.

Thanks, no auditions at this level. The girls can also wear black trousers. Other orchestras I have seen with a similar code have allowed tight/shiny trousers and skirts were not ankle length, more like clearly over the knee. I think I meant that it's just the done thing and DD shouldn't equate wearing a long skirt with needing to be of professional standard. But she should attempt to be professional in attitude.

The music itself will be easy enough but she'll learn loads about playing together.

The strictness of the uniform will depend very much on the band leadership.

Yes indeed. She has been playing in an open to all beginners ensemble for 18 months and has learnt some skills from that.

DS has just got into the county youth orchestra here, as their youngest member.
Requirement was stated as grade 6+ , which I took to mean grade 6 and above ( rather than above grade 6) - he took grade 5 earlier this year and is working towards grade 7, for after he's passed the theory exam, so I reckoned he was broadly within the standard. He had to audition with everyone else and the panel's only concern was his age and whether he'd find the social side tricky.
I know the repertoire will stretch him (he'll have gone from doing "lollipop" pieces in a grade 2+ ensemble, to Mahler symphonies in a full size symphony orchestra) but it will be so good for his playing (especially sightreading!)
The orchestra requires him to wear full dinner suit (at 12!!) and he'll be going to Italy with them next summer - fantastic!