Windsor community orchestra returns after 3 silent years

After more than three quiet years, a Windsor community orchestra was making music again at a rehearsal this week. 

Thanks to Windsor Symphony Orchestra's assistant conductor Daniel Wiley, a community orchestra is back in action — the last community orchestra stopped performing in April 2015.

Wiley has only been in Windsor since July, but one of his first questions was: "Where's the community orchestra?"

"In my past, it was something that had meant so much to me," said Wiley. He has worked in Texas and Idaho and now conducts the Windsor Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Junior Youth Orchestra. 

"I actually got my start as the assistant conductor for a community orchestra," said Wiley. "I could see the impact that it had on the community, not only for the people playing but also for the people they were playing for."

Wiley said it wasn't a difficult sell to restart a community orchestra, because there was "ecstatic interest" from the community. 

"It falls in line with WSO's vision statement," added Wiley. "It provides an opportunity for community members and university students, an opportunity to play and learn in an ensemble."

When the orchestra closed in 2015, Robert Kiborn, orchestra board member at the time, said it would cost $12,000 a year to keep the orchestra going. The orchestra had run for 32 seasons before having to close.

In addition to amateur adult musicians, the community orchestra includes students from the University of Windsor. Previously, students could receive academic credit for playing.

The new community orchestra's first rehearsal was Jan. 8. 

"It's a super fun group of people to work with and they're really excited," said Wiley. "It's a really electric environment."

Unique about the community orchestra is that it falls under the umbrella of a professional group. 

"You need a home — a place to rehearse and a place to perform," said Wiley. Thanks to the WSO's home in the Capitol Theatre in downtown Windsor, the community orchestra has a rehearsal and performance space at hand. 

According to Wiley, the orchestra could use a few more string and horn players, but the other sections are full. 

The first community orchestra concert is scheduled for May 14.