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Waveney Strings
Jaki Netta John
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About us. Waveney Strings - Born in Beccles Following my departure from London and alas, Ellso (East London Late Starters Orchestra) activities in 2007, I needed to find an orchestra to join in Suffolk, preferably one which encouraged late starters. As none were to be found, I set to and before long, Waveney Strings was born in Beccles in a pub called The Kings Head. Finding a conductor was not easy, but eventually members of a local String Quartet came to the rescue with Debbie Whomes, the cellist with the quartet our most regular conductor. Since 2008, over 70 people have joined but we usually have a core group of about 20 people attending. Although we would like to include beginners, this is not easy. In a rural area, players come from far and wide and are not always easy to track down although we did get good publicity when we started in the local press. However, with the knowledge of what works musically, after being at Ellso for eight years, we managed to choose music which is inclusive and interesting and also now have a musical arranger who does a brilliant job on converting music to easier parts. As well as our scheduled rehearsals, we have done garden parties, played in libraries, held informal concerts and open events. Members and ex members of Ellso have also visited Beccles and played with us. In June, 3 members of Waveney Strings travelled to London to play with Ellso and see for themselves how it is structured and watch as beginners class. Waveney Strings has a constitution and is managed by a team of 7 people with an AGM every year. It is really thanks to Ellso that Waveney Strings got off the ground - a truly inspirational organisation. Netta Swallow, Chair, Waveney Strings |
Netta Swallow, founder of Waveney Strings, learnt to play the cello at Leiston Grammar School where music was very much encouraged. Since leaving school, she did not take up the cello again until many years later when she discovered the East London Late Starters Orchestra - she said "I had forgotten almost everything and had to start from scratch in the beginners class! I can't believe we now have our own late starters orchestra in Beccles".
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