The Marquette County String Orchestra Society is pictured. (Photo courtesy of Inga Banitt)

MARQUETTE — Marquette County String Orchestra Society formed in 2025, after Janis Peterson, Wendy Larson and Inga Banitt had the idea to start a community orchestra where everyone was welcome to play. Now, almost a year since their first meeting, they lead an orchestra of over 25 people and are looking to start a second.

“We’re not here to judge or make anyone feel bad that they aren’t as strong a player, but we’re all here to learn from each other,” said Banitt. “We’re here to grow together and the emphasis is really on our shared love of music and playing together.”

The intention was to start an orchestra for people who hadn’t played music since high school or college, and to help them re-acquire skills and get back into their instruments.

“We were planning for a lot of rudimentary teaching,” said Larson, “but they just had the best tone, and energy, and a good understanding of intonation from the start.”

The society has continued to maintain an atmosphere of play and acceptance, though.

“There’s this great sense of community, but without the stress of having to be perfect,” said Larson. “We all highly regard each other and help each other out. We’re there for the joy of community and the joy of music-making.”

In addition to giving people an opportunity to get back into playing music, the Marquette County String Orchestra Society also provides opportunities for local high school and college students to come and practice their conducting skills.

In the orchestra’s first year they had three performances: a Christmas performance at the Westwood Mall, a friends-and-family performance in May at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and a gig at the League of Women Voters’ annual meeting.

“It wasn’t perfect, but that wasn’t the point,” said Banitt. “I think people’s love of the music really shone through … I think people’s hearts were in it, and that really made a difference.”

After the success of that first year, and in recognition of that original orchestra’s skill, the Marquette County String Orchestra is starting a new group for beginners.

This beginners’ group will start practicing in August, and no musical experience is necessary to join.

“There are lots of studies that say that learning a new skill and socialization are really important as you age,” said Larson. “And so we feel that Marquette County String Orchestra Society ticks both of those boxes. People really love the music, but they really also enjoy being together.”

All three women have a background in music – Peterson was the orchestra teacher at MSHS for many years and served as the concert master for the Marquette Symphony, and Larson has taught private violin and viola lessons for decades. Banitt, similar to many of the orchestra’s participants, played cello in high school, but she got busy with other things and her instrument got packed away. In 2009, she got back into playing.

“I really like this opportunity to be with adults who are getting back into (playing), because I see myself in them, and I see their excitement, and I share that excitement,” said Banitt. “It’s just fun to watch people love something that has been so important in my life.”

As the orchestra expands, they are looking to achieve 501c3 status, in order to qualify for grants. There are also plans for a “Black and White Sale/Swap” fundraiser in November, where people can exchange or purchase gently used concert clothes, music, books and instruments. More news will be incoming on the society’s Facebook page, at Marquette County String Orchestra Society.

Those interested in more information, or who would like to join, can contact mqtcountysos@gmail.com. The group meets once a month.

Annie Lippert can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. Her email address is alippert@miningjournal.net.