Join Us
Play with Orchestra Nova LA
Our membership encompasses professional as well as amateur musicians from diverse backgrounds including the legal profession, aerospace, and education.
We pursue innovative and ambitious programming and embrace new music as well, including original compositions composed by our own members. Rehearsals are conducted with an emphasis on performance and education in a collegial setting. Auditions may be requested on occasion. A level of competence compatible with the needs of the orchestra will take priority in determining seating.
Musicians from all instrument categories may be needed at different times. Currently, we are recruiting double bassists, trumpet players, and a keyboardist.
Rehearsals take place on Tuesday evenings from 7:30-10:00 PM from early September through mid-June, with breaks during the winter holidays. Rehearsals are held at the Village Church, 343 South Church Lane, Los Angeles, CA 90049. Parking is on-site. As we do not have a librarian, you will be directed to our online library in the “Members Only” section of the website. You will be expected to download and print your own parts. We do not maintain hard copies of any music.
CONTACT: Ivan Shulman, Music Director, at maestro@orchnovala.org AND Sophie Barnard, Orchestra Manager, at manager@orchnovala.org.
Please include details of your musical background, experience, and level of performance.
FAQs
What kind of repertoire do we work on?
We do not have a set formula for programming, other than the music must be, in the end, satisfying to the musicians of the orchestra. That means that we cast a wide net to perform works which may not necessarily be well known to either the orchestra or the audience, but are both challenging and rewarding. We perform the classics as well as new works, and are always interested in discovering works by composers who have been neglected over time. Simply put, we strive to play good music. As Duke Ellington said “There are simply two kinds of music, good music and the other kind ... the only yardstick by which the result should be judged is simply that of how it sounds.”
What do we look for in our musicians?
While we are a community orchestra, because of the varied repertoire that we do, and with limited rehearsal time, players who have not had considerable recent orchestral experience generally find our rehearsals to be a challenge, as we are not an orchestra for beginners. We would ask for a cooperative and flexible spirit, to be willing to work hard, to practice at home before rehearsals together and to have fun. We understand that people have other lives, and that sometimes life takes precedent over other activities, but once you are on board with us, we would hope that you would consider our concert schedule in your planning.
What is the time requirement?
We rehearse on most Tuesday evenings from 7:30-10PM. Rehearsals are a weekly 2.5 hour commitment. We put on concerts about five times a year, and they typically land on Saturdays and last 4 hours from the sound check to the end of the concert. We put on various social events and happy hours throughout the season, all of which are optional.
What can I do if there isn’t space in the orchestra at the moment?
If you are interested in joining ONLA but we don’t have any spots available for your instrument, we can add you to our call list for when a spot opens up in the future. In the meantime, we encourage you to take lessons on your instrument, download music parts from IMSLP and work on orchestral repertoire, play along to recordings, and find other ways to develop as a musician. By spending this time focusing on your development, you will be a strong addition to the orchestra when we do have space for you!
Why should I join ONLA?
Playing with Orchestra Nova LA provides an opportunity for you to challenge yourself and grow as an artist while being a part of a friendly and welcoming community that shares your passion for music. Many of our members have been with our orchestra for 5, 10, or 20+ years, and have stayed because of the people they have met and the enjoyment they have gotten out of preparing and performing some of the greatest and most innovative works in the orchestral repertoire. Whether it’s a rehearsal, concert, or social event, coming to ONLA each week allows our members to be rejuvenated by musical exploration and a sense of community.