So, What is The Really Terrible Orchestra of Westchester?

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What’s in a name?  The Really Terrible Orchestra of Westchester – an orchestra with a funny name and a serious mission.

The Really Terrible Orchestra of Westchester (RTOW) is a 501 (c) 3  not-for profit amateur community orchestra that was established over 3 years ago by Westchester resident and amateur violinist Barbara Rosenthal.  Why would anyone name their orchestra The Really Terrible Orchestra of Westchester? 

The original RTO was started in Edinburgh, Scotland by a well-known author, Alexander McCall Smith.

He explains it this way:  “It began with our envying the pleasure our children gained from music. And as nobody else would have us, we formed our own orchestra.  It won’t be a good orchestra, in fact it will be a really terrible one” and that is how the name came to be.

The name is so important that it was trade-marked by the Scotland orchestra which has now grown to 65 members and has given several international concerts including one in New York City’s Town Hall.

Our founder, Barbara, realized that there was a need in Westchester for an amateur orchestra that could provide a musical experience that was not otherwise available to Westchester residents - the chance to play in a local amateur classical orchestra.  She contacted “Sandy” McCall Smith and obtained permission to use that special name. 

The RTO of Westchester is one of only 4 other musical groups in the USA that has permission to use that name.  The special feature of this name is that it encourages players of all skill levels to join the RTO without intimidation.  The RTOW is the original no-audition orchestra in Westchester and has grown to over 40 members in a relatively short time.  In January 2012, the orchestra recruited a professional musician/conductor, Nathaniel Chase, an award-winning bassist with music degrees from the New England Conservatory of Music and the Yale University School of Music to be the music director and conductor of the RTO Westchester. 

Nate has produced 2 very successful concerts in Westchester so far this year.  The first was at the corporate headquarters performance space of the Eileen Fisher Corporation in Irvington and the most recent concert was at the Chappaqua Library in August.

This dynamic Orchestra has grown from 6 musicians to over 40 and is still looking for new members.  All instruments are welcome to play in this non-judgmental group of amiable Westchester residents who all have the same goal of having serious musical fun. The RTO is a member of ArtsWestchester and rehearses in White Plains every other Monday evening.  The Orchestra performs 4 concerts each year in Westchester.

Another unique feature of the RTOW is an offshoot group called The Really Terrible Dixieland Jazz Band (aka The Dixieland Express Jazz Band) formed by Scarsdale psychiatrist, Norm Weiss 3 years ago. 

This popular 13 member band entertains Westchester residents several times a year at public and private venues with its 12 musicians and a vocalist.

For more information, including how to join the orchestra, see photos and videos, visit the RTO’s website:  www.rtowestchester.org