"So in one leap we had gone from being a friendly society to something almost professional"

Neville Marriner encapsulates a moment of profound transformation within an organization. The transition he describes is not purely administrative but can be felt as a shift in spirit and identity. To have been a “friendly society” evokes the early times of camaraderie, informality, and perhaps even amateur passion, a gathering of like-minded people bound as much by their affinity for music as by the music itself. Social bonds and friendships underpin the group’s activities, and the operative atmosphere is relaxed, cooperative, and perhaps occasionally improvisational.

However, with a single significant development, a “leap”, everything changes. The word “leap” implies suddenness and consequence, an event or achievement that is both bold and transformative. Suddenly, the organization finds itself functioning “almost professional.” This suggests that standards have elevated rapidly; expectations for discipline, rigor, and excellence surpass earlier, more casual norms. With “almost professional,” there is a clear sense that the group has adopted the trappings and attitudes of professionalism: perhaps regular rehearsals, external recognition, public performances, and a more focused pursuit of excellence.

Yet, Marriner’s phrasing, “almost professional”, betrays both humility and a sense of ongoing transition. The group may still be adjusting, still holding onto remnants of its earlier, friendlier culture, but unmistakably it has left the amateur stage behind. The phrase acknowledges a kind of liminal status, straddling the boundary between the informal pleasures of friendship and the rigorous demands of professional artistry.

What is particularly evocative in Marriner’s reflection is the recognition of how external achievements and internal psychology intertwine. As ambition grows and outside validation accumulates, an ensemble begins to see itself differently. The change is not only in how it is perceived, but how the members feel about themselves and one another. Marriner’s words capture that moment when aspiration is met with sudden progress, and an idea transforms into an institution.