The Lenexa Arts Council is excited to announce the eighth season of the Lenexa Community Orchestra, under the direction of Richard Ryan. We are looking for community volunteers to play in the orchestra and serve in other volunteer positions.

The 2024 season is expected to include three concerts on June 29, July 20 and August 10. Volunteer musicians will participate in four evening rehearsals prior to each concert. Rehearsals are held generally from 7-9:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday evenings prior to each concert. Rehearsal dates are June 18, 20, 25, 27, July 9, 11, 16, 18 and July 30, August 1, 6, 8.

We are looking to build a community of artists who want to create music together. While we strive to be inclusive and our philosophy is for a no-audition policy, we recognize that some decisions will be necessary to ensure the ensemble is well-balanced and musicians are at an appropriate skill level. Musicians should be able to play advanced symphony orchestra repertoire. 

The conductor will consider musicians’ experience when making assignments. Volunteers are invited to include resumes, links to recordings of their past performances and any other detail that would inform the conductor about their experience and ability. High school students are welcome to volunteer but should be at the all-state level. Volunteer opportunities in the orchestra are subject to space and instrumentation. The orchestra conductor will make the final decisions regarding personnel in the orchestra. Musicians are required to bring their own instruments, and percussionists must bring their own sticks/mallets. The application deadline is May 1. Anyone who applies after the deadline will be considered only if a position is available.

New volunteers are asked to sign up on this site to indicate their interest in participating. The Lenexa Arts Council Liaison will follow up with a google form for new and returning volunteers to collect additional information including the musician’s availability and instrument(s) played. The conductor also may follow up with the musician regarding experience to help with assignment decisions.