Maricopa Music Circle to audition new musicians this month

Maricopa Music Circle chamber orchestra invites city musicians to grab their instruments and stands and sit in starting in mid-July as the orchestra resumes preparations for fall and winter performances.

The ensemble’s rehearsals on July 17, 24, 31 and Aug. 7 will serve as “open auditions” for interested players, as it begins preparations for the upcoming season. Its planned performances over the 2017-2018 concert season include the Winter Serenade event also featuring Maricopa Chorus as guest artists.

Now in the midst of its eighth season, Maricopa Music Circle is considered the city’s premier performing ensemble. It has partnered with every other hometown performing-arts organization in dance, theatre and music and has also performed at a number of City special events, for Art on the Veranda, and for special Star Wars and Oscars events at UltraStar Multi-tainment Center. The orchestra is well-known for its joy in performance and its commitment to presenting music in many styles from cultures all around the world, composed over the span of four centuries.

MMC players range from professional musicians to enthusiastic amateurs, and often include high-school musicians in the mix. Musicians are expected to be able sight-readers and be comfortable playing standard orchestral parts at the level of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite.

Rehearsals are 7-9:45 p.m. on Monday evenings at private homes around the city and are always lively experiences. There is no fee to join. Interested musicians should e-mail MMC by Thursday of the preceding week to indicate their instrument and playing level to get details of the upcoming rehearsal site and for music to be rehearsed. [email protected]