Finding Ensemble Opportunities for Amateur Musicians

Stepping Out of the Practice Room

While time spent in the practice room working on solo repertoire is incredibly rewarding, playing music with others is really at the heart of what it means to be an amateur musician. Before the advent of television and recorded music, I’ve heard that sight reading parties were a common social activity, rooting musicians in their community and in the joyful practice of playing music together.

As a musician, you don’t have to be a professional to play with others and find enjoyment in the ensemble experience. Even if you are in early stages in your music journey you might be surprised by the opportunities available to you to play with others, whether through coached ensemble classes, beginner-intermediate orchestras, or simply finding another musician at your level to play duets with.

This guide will help you as an amateur musician or adult learner understand what kinds of ensemble opportunities are out there, and which ones might be a good fit for you no matter your level.

Why Ensemble Playing Matters for Amateur Musicians

Playing with a friend, an orchestra, or with a small group of other musicians, can be a joyful social experience as much is it is a way to grow musically. Whether it’s rehearsing with an orchestra then sharing the music with your broader community, or spending time with a friend, playing duets, and talking about your favorite music, it is a way to find a sense of community.

Working on music with others can also provide some much-needed structure to an amateur musician’s life, guiding practice and sometimes performance goals. Playing in an ensemble also opens the door to playing repertoire that is not strictly possible (at least in the same way) to play on your own. Just having the experience of joining the texture of an orchestra or adding to the harmonies in a quartet can be eye opening, especially if you haven’t had the opportunity to play in an ensemble before.

The Main Ways Amateur Musicians Play Together

Community Orchestras

Joining a community orchestra is a structured way to participate in ensemble playing as an amateur musician. Not all community orchestras play the same kind of repertoire or have the same instrumentation. While some orchestras play high level orchestral repertoire, others cater more to intermediate players, or even specialize in a particular era or style of repertoire. Some community orchestras are made up primarily of semi-professional musicians such as local music teachers and people who studied music at a collegiate level prior to pursuing other careers. Others are welcoming spaces for beginner to intermediate musicians who are looking for a fun, social, music-making experience.

Who this works well for:

Returning players
Those who enjoy structure
People looking for built-in community

Chamber Music & Small Ensembles

Chamber music is the perfect medium for the amateur musician. Compositions are available for a wide range of ensemble sizes and instrumentation and, true to its name, is perfectly at home played in a living room. Over the centuries, amateur (and professional) musicians have gathered to play music in casual settings, in many cases, just for fun. For advanced amateurs, organizations like ACMP offer ways to connect with other musicians. And for beginning and intermediate (and even advanced) players, adult chamber music camps and workshops are frequently offered at community music schools. Getting into chamber music might feel intimidating if you haven’t played it before, but it doesn’t have to be. Starting out with a coached workshop can be a great entry point into playing in smaller groups.

Who this works well for:

Players who enjoy working in small groups
Those interested in deeper ensemble skills
Players looking to form musical friendships

Playing With One Other Person (Informal Duets)

While finding a chamber group, or even a workshop, to play with can be challenging, it’s often far easier to find one other musician to play with. If you are a student, start by playing duets with your teacher to learn ensemble skills, improve your sight reading, and enjoy playing in harmony with another musician. If your teacher has other adult students, or a colleage who does, they might help you connect with another musician at a similar level to play duets with for fun. If you don’t take lessons, but play in an orchestra, you might ask your stand partner if they are interested in playing some duets.

Who this works well for:

First-time ensemble players
Those rebuilding confidence
Anyone who wants to build or solidify musical friendships

Style-Based and Specialty Ensembles

When I first returned to playing as an adult, I often attended folk jam sessions. They were a fun, low-pressure way to get back into playing and learn some great music. Folk groups are often welcoming and can be relatively beginner friendly. For those looking for some instruction in a folk genre, it’s possible to learn about local workshops through attending these jams. Often, folk musicians are passionate about their style and enthusiastic to share it with newcomers.

Another type of specialty ensemble is the string orchestra, early music, or baroque ensemble. String and baroque orchestra repertoire is often less challenging than standard orchestral repertoire so may be more accessible to intermediate players. I have a fondness for both baroque and string orchestra repertoire and have had many positive experiences learning about historically informed performance and baroque style while playing in a baroque orchestra.

Who this works well for:

Musicians interested in learning a specialized style of music
Recent returners to playing
Those looking for a tight-knit musical community

Where to Find Ensemble Opportunities

Depending on where you are located, there may be plentiful music opportunities for amateurs, or they may be slightly more challenging to find. If you are looking to find ensembles or duet partners to play with, here are few ideas and resources to start with:

In Your Local Area

Community music schools — Often these offer a variety of programs for both children and adults. Some are more oriented toward folk music, while others focus on classical music education. Community music schools with adult programs may offer coached chamber music workshops or classes or even introductory ensemble classes for beginning to intermediate players.
Local string shops — People who work at string shops often play in chamber groups or community orchestras and are familiar with the local music scene so may be able to suggest an orchestra or a workshop that might be a good fit for you.
Community orchestras — Not only are orchestras structured places to play ensemble music, but they are often community hubs with chamber music offshoots and offer plentiful networking opportunities with other musicians who may become future chamber music partners.
Adult workshops and camps — These are fantastic places to meet other musicians, get expert coaching, and develop ensemble skills. There area many types of camps and workshops ranging from beginner friendly, to advanced level, and some workshops that cater to a wide variety of levels.

Online & Hybrid Spaces

ACMP — A resource for amateur musicians to find chamber music opportunities, from other players in their area to coached camps and workshops.
Facebook and Meetup groups — Look for chamber music clubs and societies, folk music groups and jams.
Local arts calendars — Groups sometimes post local jam sessions or performances by chamber music clubs or societies.

Getting Ready to Join

Even if you don’t feel like you are ready to join an ensemble, give it some thought, because the only way to gain ensemble playing skills is to play in an ensemble. Some community orchestras and workshops cater to adult learners, while other ensembles are a place where music teachers and high level amateurs can play music together and bring it to their communities. Talk to the organizer so you know what to expect, and if it sounds right for you, give it a try. Many community music ensembles are welcoming places filled with other people like yourself who are enthusiastic about playing music.

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