[photo: Harry Fisher/The Morning Call / January 25, 2009]

My mom decided a couple years ago to take up playing the violin. She really loves playing, she practices all the time. Thing is, she doesn’t think she’s very good. I’m not sure of the veracity of that statement because she always plays when no one’s around and hasn’t played a recital or anything for us. But all that is about to change.

Over the past year, my mom has been working on organizing the Really Terrible Orchestra in Pennsylvania. The concept is pretty basic. RTO “exists to encourage those who have been prevented from playing music, either through lack of talent or some other factor, to play music in the company of similarly afflicted players.” I guess they’re being a bit tongue-in-cheek, but no, they insist. They’re really terrible.

I’m proud of her regardless. Not only because of her dedication to the project, but she even made a website for RTO-PA all by herself! And then in today’s Sunday Morning Call, she’s got a nice long feature about the group which has grown rather quickly.

She’s been most excited about the original ensemble from Scotland making their United States debut. I’ll be there. Maybe you’d like to as well.

REALLY TERRIBLE ORCHESTRA CONCERT

What: The original RTO, from Scotland, makes its New York City debut
When: 8 p.m. April 1
Where: The Town Hall, 123 W. 43rd St.
Tickets: $25 and $35
Info: http://www.ticketmaster.com or 212-307-4100

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