Community Orchestra

Violins, violas, a bassoon and a bass were but a few of the ensemble that comprise an orchestra playing in Pershing Hall on the Montana State University-Northern campus. The Havre Community Orchestra had their first practice Tuesday and have a whole season ahead of them.

The orchestra practices from 7 to 9 p.m. every Tuesday and this past Tuesday marked the first of the season. They were given the sheet music that they will be practicing to perform at their next concert in November. Their theme this year is a nod to classic rock and pop, and at the practice Tuesday, they began ironing out their renditions of memorable songs by artists like the Beatles, the Eagles and Michael Jackson.

Jim Potter, who works at MSU-Northern as the director of university relations, plays percussion on a drum kit for the mixed orchestra, which employs stringed, woodwind, brass and electric instruments. Potter said he has been with the orchestra since its formation, which was officially two years ago, though they have been playing together for longer.

He said the orchestra was formed when the musicians got together and played for the Montana Actors' Theatre production of "Man of La Mancha."

Rhonda Minnick said that is when she joined the orchestra as the conductor.

"We started with doing MAT theater productions," Minnick said. "We decided the orchestra should have an identity of their own."

Potter said the path they took into becoming an orchestra just made sense.

"What happened is a group of musicians came together and did that and then the next year we did 'Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat,'" Potter said.

After that, they decided that they should make the orchestra an organized, yearly production. MSU-Northern got on board and began offering students one credit if they played for the orchestra.

Last year, they had 27 people, and this year they expect a number around the same.

"We're always looking for new people," Potter said. " ... It would be great if we could get more people."

The orchestra is completely volunteer-based, save for the students paying for the credit hour, and so there is not a strict attendance policy. Some people make it one week and not the other, because life gets in the way.

Minnick said people ask the orchestra to join many different kinds of projects and they also perform their own concerts as well. Members of the orchestra will create smaller groups and play for theater performances, special events and other happenings.

"Just here in the spring, we did a show that was movie-themed and we had the Pratt family featured, and they did sone singing along with some of our numbers," Minnick said.

Last year, in the fall, they also had a jazz concert where they had a community-known pianist accompany them. During Festival Days last year, they played at the Old Post Office for an event.

"We're kind of branching out," Minnick said. She said that they often have to turn away people because they just do not have the time to learn the music before the event while practicing their own music for their concert.

Minnick said they are in need of stringed instrument players. Havre public schools do not have any programs specific to stringed orchestras so there are not a lot of younger violinists, violists, cellists and such in town. It is a rare commodity for the orchestra, and Minnick is always on the prowl for anyone who wants to take up their bows for the orchestra.

Kimberly Kohlman has been playing the flute since before the orchestra's formation. She has been playing since sixth grade and is in her early 20s.

"I really missed playing the flute, especially in a group," Kohlman said. "So I decided it would be a lot of fun."

The orchestra accepts anyone who wants to play, as long as they can play and read music. Some people on the orchestra had not picked up their instruments in decades and then decided to try their hand in the orchestra. Others have played only for a short period of time. In all, the orchestra is a learning experience for everyone.

"I think it's good when there's culture in a city," Minnick said. " ... I think it's a great opportunity for people who have played their instruments. We take all levels. It's just a learning experience."

Anyone interested in joining the community orchestra can do so at any time, Minnick said, as long as it is not too close to a concert.

The orchestra season lasts as long as the university school year lasts.

"I encourage anybody who would like to pick up that instrument again to join," Minnick said. "This is the place to do it."