Fort Wayne Terrible Orchestra
Founded in 2018, the group was modeled after The Really Terrible Orchestra of Scotland, a group of adults who had some training in instruments but just wanted to play together as an orchestra for fun. The group took off in popularity and many other “terrible groups” were formed all over the world for those who wanted to play their instrument again with others.
Our aim: to give as close to an orchestra experience as possible, to make friends, to grow, to enjoy playing, to have a concert experience. The benefits to playing in a group are too many to count! We love how music creates community.
We are grateful to First Missionary Church, 701 West Rudisill, Fort Wayne, IN 46807 for adopting this group under their Community Connections. We meet Monday nights at 7, for 10-week sessions. See Calendar for our rehearsal schedule.
Playing Star Wars
Don’t be afraid to make a mistake 
Concert at First Missionary in Fall
About Debra Graham, founder and director
Debra Graham founded the Terrible Orchestra in Fort Wayne to provide a special group for those who perhaps did not have extensive training or were very rusty in their skills. She had a vision for those who wanted to connect and make music with others and become friends! Debra graduated from Wheaton College and Indiana University in performance, and has conducted school orchestral groups in Tennessee and Indiana both in public and private settings. She has had conducting classes with Paul Bouvier and Donald Schleicher and has been a full time member of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic for over 30 years. She also is an adjunct professor of strings at Indiana Wesleyan University and has a private studio of students and a professional quartet, Graham Quartets, that does weddings and events. She is married to Bruce, who is also a violist with the Philharmonic, and a daughter, Catherine.
Fort Wayne Terrible Orchestra 