How terrible can an orchestra be?

Really Terrible Orchestra of the Triangle

The Really Terrible Orchestra of the Triangle: Holiday Concert.

 Sands Hobgood is the founder, conductor, and keyboardist of the Really Terrible Orchestra of the Triangle (RTOOT), a new program to encourage “those who have been prevented from playing music together with others, either through lack of talent or some other factor, to rehearse and perform in an ensemble of similarly afflicted players.” From a humble beginning in May 2008, they have grown into a 50-piece symphony orchestra focusing on developing a premiere cultural gem for Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill NC (USA) region known as the Research Triangle.

On December 9th, 2009, “The Really Terrible Holiday Concert” will be held at Reynolds Theater in Bryan Center at Duke University. The show is designed for all ages and fashions, and black tie is not required. Hobgood said, “It will be a funny show as all our shows are, with the “Duke Fight Song”, some classical music, pop tunes, sing-along, Christmas Carols, and plenty of surprises. We will play Strauss, Tchaikovsky, and Handel to a version of Gershwin of American in Paris, and some original works by RTOOT. Think of it as the ‘Prairie Home Companion’ without Garrison Keillor (a live radio variety show created and hosted by Garrison Keillor).” New, unwrapped toys will be collected for Toys for Tots.

RTOOT Brass Section

About Really Terrible Orchestra of the Triangle
Sands Hobgood is from Durham, went to Hope Valley School, studied piano as a child, and continued his studies in piano and organ in college. He lived in Europe for a while, and then settled back in the Triangle area. He heard about the concept “Really Terrible Orchestra” and also received an article about this topic in the New York Times that was sent by a friend. Inspiration began from simple communications which sparked an idea to start RTOOT for the Triangle community. Hobgood said, “I thought the demographics were similar, and with a relatively well-educated population,” it could be successful in the Triangle. The origin is from the world-famous Really Terrible Orchestra (RTO) of Edinburgh, Scotland, which was founded by the eminent Scottish author Alexander McCall Smith. Similar to the RTO, the primary goal of The Really Terrible Orchestra of the Triangle is to involve competent musicians in the Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill area who are not quite qualified to play with the Durham Symphony, the Raleigh Symphony, or the Chapel Hill Philharmonia. Their passionate mission is to reach out to the entire music community, irrespective of individual expertise. Accessibility is an important facet in their goals to provide a unique opportunity for musicians of all ages, gender, persuasion, political affiliation, and race, who want to play, regardless of their level of competence.

RTOOT Cello Section 

About the Musicians
”All ages, races, genders, and persuasions of instrumentalists are invited to join our ranks” is their invitation statement. Hobgood describes, “Many of our musicians are people who played in high school and let the dust gather on the cases in the back of the closet for years and years. Some have picked up an instrument in later life because they always wanted to play something. One musician was almost ninety and had to give it up for health reason. We also have a seven year old who plays the violin. Several musicians are students who play since they do not have a music program in their school. RTOOT gives them an opportunity to play with an ensemble.”

Based on the name “Terrible” and the correlation to musicians, can a new orchestra of fifty people build an audience if they play terrible music? Hobgood explains, “That is the philosophical question, like, “Why is it bad art” ( “What is good art”) and “Why did William Hung (a contestant that did not win and had a lack of vocal talent) become a superstar after American Idol?” There are musicians of all levels and what we play is not embarrassing music.” When they have a waiting list of musicians wanting to sign up to play, the word “terrible” must be contemplated after watching and listening to their performance. As in the saying, “beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” then “terrible” is in the ear of the listener.

Brian Walker, who helps with managing events and coordinating events, is Sands “right–hand man,” according to Hodbgood. With a laugh, Walker calls himself a “really terrible trombone player.” He said, “We play because you just want to and it’s fun. What really matter is that you just try.”

They are a group with stunts and gags, and they may poke fun, but they do not lose sight of music appreciation. “Even if it is imperfect or slightly out of tune, it’s a wonderful experience and a good feeling,” said Hobgood.

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