Encouraged by Marin Alsop, members of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra allowed some amateurs to play alongside them in two recent concerts, as reported in this article by Anne Midgette in the Washington Post. The event/concerts was called “Rusty Musicians with the BSO,” and it sounds like it went very well. I like this idea, because it engages the community in a new and vital way with orchestra members, who sometimes seem too remote (sitting on the stage in front of a vast audience).
Also, professional orchestras might be able to find a financial incentive, as per the following quote (from the same article):
To capitalize on the desire to play along, the BSO is following up on its Rusty Musicians experiment in June with an orchestral academy for adult amateurs. For $1,650 — another revenue stream for an orchestra that needs it — participants will have an intense week of master classes, lectures and public performances with BSO members led by Alsop.
Lori Bond on 
Robert P.M. Hart on 
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