The interPLAY Orchestra is a community-based musical organization conducting weekly rehearsals, currently held live on Monday evenings at the Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda, Maryland and virtually via ZoomTM on Tuesday evenings. Our Orchestra musicians are free to choose in-person and/or Zoom attendance, and we warmly welcome musicians outside the local Washington, D.C. area to join us through our Zoom rehearsals. The Orchestra usually holds three public concerts/events annually.
Join us as an adult with Intellectual/Developmental or Physical Disabilities
InterPLAY Orchestra is interested in recruiting members who enjoy music, singing and dancing while performing in an educational and social orchestral setting. The opportunity to become an interPLAY Orchestra musician is open to all adults with an intellectual/developmental or physical disability.
The ability to read music is NOT a requirement for joining the Orchestra. Individuals who are part of the interPLAY Orchestra learn to play percussion instruments from around the world. They have the opportunity to interact with, learn from, and perform with both professional and amateur musicians and music educators.
Program Description
Most interPLAY Orchestra musicians have intellectual/developmental or physical disabilities that often make it difficult to learn to read and play music in the conventional way. We give our musicians the opportunity to express themselves in the universally understood language of music.
Many of our players do not have access to therapies that address their continual need for cognitive and physical development. While we are not designed or staffed as a therapeutic program, the interPLAY Orchestra employs adaptive teaching techniques that have been found to enhance cognitive, social and motor skills.
Who Can Join?
Adults aged 18 and over with intellectual/developmental or physical disabilities are eligible to join the Orchestra. Our musicians need to be able to:
- Understand and follow the verbal and physical cues of the conductor.
- Produce sound from a percussion instrument.
- Regulate behavior during rehearsals and concert performances.
- Access reliable transportation to attend weekly rehearsals and scheduled public events when attending in-person.
InterPLAY has a limited number of volunteers who are available to provide in-person support. Musicians may be accompanied by their own support individual at rehearsals and performances if they so choose.
Cost of the Program
New Orchestra musicians are assessed a one-time fee of $200 to cover equipment and administrative costs. There is a quarterly Orchestra Activity Fee of $250 (which may also be made as one annual payment). Limited financial assistance is available to help defray the Activity Fee based on criteria set by the interPLAY Board of Directors and available funding.
