Membership F.A.Q.


How do I join?

Our Yahoo group is our main mode of communication, including info about rehearsals, concerts, cancellations, group opportunities, etc. In order to be an active and voting member you need to also pay dues (see below). Our calendar is online at Yahoo, as well as important documents, such as our constitution, articles of association, and older messages and files.

By joining the Yahoo group you will begin receiving emails about rehearsals, repertoire, etc. If you wish to be taken off the list, you can unsubscribe at your convenience.

Click here for more information about joining our listserv.



Are there auditions?

Yes, but we do them a little differently--you audition us. We ask musicians to join us for a rehearsal or two and see if they feel comfortable with the level of playing. We do not hold auditions for entry. Seating is generally open with the exception of traditional section leaders such as concertmaster, etc.

What positions are open?

All positions are open. It is our policy to try to find space for all interested musicians. We frequently have the most need for bassoons, first violins, and basses, but as mentioned above, all instruments are welcome. Opportunities for keyboard players are usually quite limited, though, as our repertoire infrequently includes keyboard parts there are opportunities to play missing parts such as bassoon, and sometimes harp. Some of the more popular light classical pieces which we play for outreach concerts have legitimate keyboard parts.

Who can join?

While our affiliation is with the National Institutes of Health, any musician is eligible. Our membership includes people who work for numerous other government agencies, private industry, education, students, retirees; you name it we have it!.

Some musicians have joined the orchestra to sit in on rehearsals only (not concerts) to get the opportunity to perform with an ensemble and sharpen their musical skills. We have been contacted by many musicians who haven't played for a number of years but who are interested in getting back into playing. Those musicians are also welcome.

How much are dues?

To be an active and participating member, we ask all musicians to join the R&W (Recreation and Welfare) Association at NIH (or other HHS organization). And at NOAA. R&W membership is $8 annually. You are entitled to discounts at area stores which could save you more than your annual dues. You may join either at your place of work or at selected orchestra rehearsals. The R&W Association at NIH is our sponsor and provides insurance coverage, gives us our non-profit tax status and other important services.

In addition, the NIHCO has dues of $10 twice a year. We may make this an annual amount based on organizational needs. That amount goes to the purchase of music, rental of rehearsal locations if needed, and other expenses. In order to vote in our annual elections, members are required to be paid up to date for both of those sets of dues.

Musicians who cannot afford these dues should talk to a board member as alternative provisions are available.


Are these dues tax exempt?

The NIHCO is a fully qualified tax-exempt organization (courtesy of the NIH R&W Association). Dues, donations, and legitimate expenses are fully deductible as allowed by law. This includes mileage, subway fares, etc to and from orchestra rehearsals and concert venues.

What is the expectation of attendance at rehearsals?

We ask members to be as responsible and considerate as possible to the organization and its members and attend as many rehearsals as they can, especially those leading up to the concerts. We understand that members have busy schedules that include business trips, etc. and that life sometimes intervenes.

Our experience is that when musicians are given a chance to behave responsibly, they do.


How many concerts are there in a season?

At this writing, we have three large annual concerts: a Messiah Singalong in December, our Spring concert in June, and an outdoor summer concert in conjunction with the city of Gaithersburg. In addition, we have an outreach program that presents smaller, more informal concerts at area schools, nursing homes, and senior centers. Those are scheduled on an ad hoc basis and vary from year to year, usually with one or two in the fall and one or two in the spring/summer.

Some of our associated groups (such as the NIHCO Brass Ensemble and the NIHCO Celtic Ensemble) perform as part of those outreach concerts or as standalone concerts.

How are rehearsal cancellations and changes decided and communicated?

The main mode of communication is the Yahoo Group and its email list. Please check your email regularly, especially the day of rehearsals. We don't cancel or change location often, but contingencies do come up and at the moment there is no phone tree.

Changes are also posted on the website (http://www.nihco.org), but the email list from Yahoo is likely to be more up to date and more quickly responsive to changes.

For weather related cancellations, we follow the Montgomery County Public School system's decisions (that includes snow, thunderstorm, hurricane, and other types of severe weather). Regardless, our rule of thumb is, “If you feel it is a matter of safety, stay home. It's better to miss one rehearsal rather than all of the rest of them.”

How many other smaller ensembles are there?

At the moment the active ensembles include a Brass Ensemble and the Celtic Ensemble. In the past we have also had a string quartet and a flute ensemble. There have also been some actions to establish a jazz group like the NIH big band which was quite active in the 50’s to the early 90’s.

Many of our musicians also volunteer their services on behalf of the orchestra to “pay the rent”. A number of institutions in the area give us rehearsal and performance space in exchange for our musical services. Because of this, we are able to be financially independent and able to devote nearly our full time to making music.

Are there other opportunities besides music?

There are many details necessary to the running of an orchestra and we always welcome help of all kinds. Please contact the NIHCO board to volunteer.

What happens to the money collected at concerts?

One of the NIHCO's main purposes is to raise money for the charities at NIH, which include the Children's Inn, Camp Funshine, the Patient Emergency Fund, etc.

Can you summarize the philosophy and approach of the NIHCO?

We are very serious about music, but we also believe in taking a relaxed, low-stress approach. It is our philosophy that “Music is wonderful therapy—it should never be a reason for having therapy!” The NIHCO believes that music is a wonderful talent that should be shared with others. It brings great joy to many people.

There are many things in the world that pull people apart and turn them against each other. Music is one of the few things that has the power to bring people together. It is a very powerful gift that should never be underestimated.

As Beethoven put it quite succintly, “From the heart; may it go to the heart.”