News & Observer
Published: Monday, September 08, 2008
The Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill triangle in North Carolina

RTOOT has a really terrible history and a terrific mission
New blood

The shape of the Triangle's cultural life constantly shifts. Remembering that brings us to RTOOT, formally known as the Really Terrible Orchestra of the Triangle, which makes its concert debut in November.

Inspired by Scotland's Really Terrible Orchestra, the group has pursued players who aren't quite competent enough for the area's established ensembles. Among its ranks are a professional roller derby player (Carolina Rollergirl Holly Wanna Crackya), a Taekwondo blue belt (Douglass Little) and an expert in auto emissions (Ted Ehrhard). Founder and director W. Sands Hobgood is a professional musician whose duties include working on the Web page (rtoot.org) and dumbing down the music's hard parts.

RTOOT may never win a Grammy or a local battle of the bands. But clearly these questionably skilled musicians serve to remind all of us that everyone can find a place in the arts.

News & Observer
© Copyright 2008, The News & Observer Publishing Company