The Really Terrible String Orchestra of SF Bay is dedicated to providing rehearsal and informal performance opportunities to Bay Area amateurs who have some training in classical bowed strings (violin, viola, cello, and double bass). As local string teachers, we (the organizers) noticed that many of our adult students have few opportunities to make music outside of their lessons, and many are searching for an opportunity to play where there would be both a supportive atmosphere and "strength in numbers"!

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There are other organizations of this nature in the US and abroad, but we are the first to start one in the Bay Area. The RTSO was inspired by the Really Terrible Orchestra, founded by Alexander McCall Smith and friends in Edinburgh, Scotland. We are loosely affiliated by affinity and personal contacts but are financially and organizationally independent.

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In a typical gathering—on the 3rd Sunday of every month from 4-6pm—players bring their instruments and music stands to the choir room at St. Clement's Episcopal Church in Berkeley, California. We start with tuning and maybe a warm-up scale and address any questions about orchestra skills as they come up. We do a fair amount of reading totally new pieces, never seen by the group—always an adventure! If we’re working towards a concert, we will spend time on those more familiar pieces, too. The musical genres can cover everything from the baroque era to 19th, 20th and 21st century compositions and arrangements, including pop standards and new works. A highlight is the substantial break with snacks and socializing. The mood of our sessions is upbeat, very supportive, and somewhat irreverent, with lots of laughter.

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During the year we generally have one or two public performances: a Holiday Potluck party for family and friends in December as well as a late-summer Weekend Workshop which begins on a Friday evening, continues with in-depth work on Saturday, and culminates with concerts at two senior residences on Sunday afternoon. Sometimes we manage to include some chamber music, too! We love to collaborate and have been know to play with a community chorus or other local artists for special events. 

RTSO participants are good sports and don’t try to be terrible; we just do what we can and it’s always appreciated. We’re more interested in the rehearsal get-togethers than actually presenting some kind of polished result, but who doesn’t love the occasional excitement of a performance? There are lots of laughs and do-overs, for sure. To paraphrase Alexander McCall Smith, if music is worth playing well, it’s also worth playing badly!

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The bar is low to be a part of this group. Come when and if you’re able, for starters, and there are no auditions. If you want to be there, you’re in! Even if you own an instrument, you wouldn’t have to actually play it until you feel ready. Sometimes just watching your part is encouraged—those beats fly by! Occasionally friends come along to just listen, knit or read books.

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The official RTSO Music Director is David Morris—when he’s available—with backup from Sara Usher, the official RT General Manager. The RTSO has a three-member board with a President, Secretary, and Treasurer and are an official 501(c)(3) California Public Benefit Corporation. Donations are tax deductible.