The flutist and the violinist adjust in their seats, shuffling sheet music. The cellist got caught up with work and couldn’t make it. In the rehearsal room, air conditioning rattles and the overhead lights hum, creating their own ambient music.
The Coronado Terrible Orchestra is not your elite symphonic ensemble. Instead, it is made for people who are, admittedly, not very good at their instrument. Started by Cassie O’Hanlon and inspired by the Fort Wayne Terrible Orchestra, Coronado’s edition has launched its inaugural session.
O’Hanlon started the Coronado Terrible Orchestra to create a safe space for adult beginners and those who stopped playing their instruments.
She says the goal is to provide a less severe atmosphere, and to avoid burnout. “Here in San Diego, I’ve played with the Coronado and Hillcrest community bands,” O’Hanlon says. “They are incredible. I understand how somebody could be intimated by that.”
As she opens a practice session in the Coronado Club Room, O’Hanlon adjusts her music stand and provides the bar to start on, her arms at an angle, hands ready to conduct. Everyone braces in preparation for her count.
One and a two and a three and go…
The first few notes of “Ode to Joy” roll out. O’Hanlon stops to make minor alterations, then begins again. Her quick and periodic inhales signal a shift, establishing a melodic pattern in the chamber music. With each correction, the song gets stronger and more recognizable.
While it wasn’t a professional orchestra by any means, the music was far from terrible.
O’Hanlon has been a musician her whole life, playing various instruments since childhood and receiving a music degree from University of North Carolina Greensboro. However, after college O’Hanlon became burnt out, and while she was still working in the music industry, she wasn’t playing her instruments.
While living in Fort Wayne, Indiana, she joined the Fort Wayne Terrible Orchestra and was able to build that love back. Now she works as a flute and clarinet teacher.
“I wanted to break the classical music mold,” O’Hanlon says. “Historically, it has been unkind to people who are weird or different.”
O’Hanlon’s hair, highlighted with bright yellow streaks, is pulled into a tight bun and her tattooed arms guide the orchestra nimbly.
Every mistake is met with joy as O’Hanlon’s corrections are pointed and lighthearted. Successes are celebrated with high fives and laughter.
“No matter how bad we are, she’s very good,” laughs Debbie Quigley, the violinist.
The option to perform is up to the participants, and until then O’Hanlon provides instruction.
Jacqui Hardt, a Coronado resident, played the flute in high school and college, but until last month hadn’t touched the instrument in 27 years. She joined the Terrible Orchestra to play with her son, who takes lessons from O’Hanlon. Hardt says in the month she’s been playing she already notices a difference.
“It’s still in there somewhere,” she adds.
O’Hanlon says that you can’t be over or under qualified to join the orchestra, but she recommends at least one year on the instrument.
“Progress over perfection, it’s what we do,” notes O’Hanlon.
Coronado Terrible Orchestra sessions last six weeks, costing $80 for Coronado residents and $105 for nonresidents. While the session is designed for traditional orchestra instruments, everyone is welcome to join. To register visit the Coronado Recreation website.
Elaine Alfaro contributed to this report.
