This is a "pet project" of sorts for Joshua Rodgers, and is something he's currently in the process of trying to get going. This is not related to the campaign, but is something that he's trying to get going for the community because he'd like to see it happen.

While the final plan, if it can get off the ground, may vary drastically from this overall plan, below is the general idea for a "community orchestra" that he has. While this isn't directly related to the mayoral campaign -- it's indirectly related as it shows the types of things he'd like to do.

Anyone with questions/comments/etc about this, please use the form below to contact him direct.

Community Orchestra overall plan is to have two or three chamber orchestras (10-20 people each). One will have experienced people; those that are teachers, know how to play an instrument, and might have to audition to be in. Another will have students in it, those that are just learning a new instrument and such -- ones not at the same caliber as the others. A potential third orchestra would be the in-between. Those who know what they're doing, but might not be good enough for the upper one.

In addition to the orchestra, the plan is to have a vocal component as well -- so a small choir for different things. Some vocal classes or just existing groups to join the orchestra for some events (like a Christmas concert).

Or to think of it like a school system -- the bottom orchestra would have elementary school people, the middle high-school, the top college or college graduates. Of course that's just to help explain it a bit for those trying to picture what's meant -- in reality there could be adults in the bottom orchestra, or middle school students in the top one, it's all ability-based.

For the experienced top orchestra:

• People may have to pay up to $20/person/month (it's just for rental space, free rental space, no charge)
• 4 meetings a month, every month
• There'd be 5 performances a year (with tickets sold to generate funds to grow, advertise, and possibly pay the members)
• Small quartets and such would be encouraged to form to play at weddings or other events

For the student bottom orchestra:

• People would have to pay around $30/month (4 meetings a month - same day as orchestra -- $10 would go for instruction)
• There'd be a few performances a year (holiday like things -- but would overlap the main orchestra's events)
• People would be in small 1-10 people per teacher groups -- so there's more personal attention than potentially exists in schools, but less than private lessons

For the Intermediate orchestra:

• Cost depends on whether they're a student, or just coming to play with no instruction ($30 student / $20 otherwise)
• People have to know how to play an instrument at least somewhat well
• There'd be performances similar to the experienced orchestra - about 4 per year

The top two orchestras are also planned to be used for any non-school sporting event where the schools don't have a band available (and if they want - such as baseball games at the park), any fundraisers, etc.

For the most part, the entire thing is meant to be break-even, with teachers instructing on how to play instruments being paid; the conductors being paid; and the possibility of the top chamber orchestra being paid, and any rental fees being refunded for all people ---- all of which with rental of a space taking up the majority of the funds.

Got any questions/comments/etc? Great! Of course right now we don't have anything like a sign-up as this is only a "tentative plan" not a "definitely will exist" thing. We're talking this is in such an early stage of development the entire plan above might be scrapped.

For now please just use our contact page form and mention "orchestra" so we know.