The orchestra, or symphony orchestra, is generally defined as an ensemble mainly composing of bowed stringed instruments, percussion, wind and brass instruments. Often, the orchestra is composed of 100 musicians and may be accompanied by a chorus or be purely instrumental.
When we think of the 'traditional' layout of an orchestra, we think of the violins directly to the left of the conductor and the violas in the centre, with the woodwind and then the percussion behind them. ... In fact, the second violins used to be seated opposite the first violins, where the cellos normally are.
The most common percussion instruments in the orchestra include the timpani, xylophone, cymbals, triangle, snare drum, bass drum, tambourine, maracas, gongs, chimes, celesta, and piano.
The typical symphony orchestra consists of four groups of related musical instruments called the woodwinds, brass, percussion, and strings (violin, viola, cello, and double bass).
Concerto. noun. a piece of music for a musical instrument and an orchestra.
Orchestra Chairs The most skilled musician sits in the first chair of each section and plays any solo parts for that instrument. The next most skilled player would sit in the second chair and the least skilled musician would sit in the last chair of his or her section.
Violin
Generally, orchestras with fewer than 50 members are called “chamber orchestras," while full-size orchestras of 50 to 100 musicians are called “symphony orchestras" or “philharmonic orchestras."
People have been putting instruments together in various combinations for millennia, but it wasn't un- til about 400 years ago that musicians started forming combinations that would eventually turn into the modern orchestra. Around 1600 in Italy, the composer Claudio Monteverdi changed that.
What important role does the orchestra play in the first scene of The Valkyrie? By carrying the leitmotivs, it conveys the psychological depth of the characters and their feelings.
The guy with the stick is called a conducter and he is very important. He keeps time acting as a sort of metronome for everyone and he also indicates dynamics and such to different sections of the orchestra.
Second chair means that you're still very good at your instrument. You don't have the same leadership responsibility as first chair. Sure you might be called upon when they are sick once or twice a year. Instead, you have to follow first chair's lead, even if you don't fully agree.
The viola is also called bratsch – a loved one has many names. It is an instrument that often is heard in the middle of the orchestra's sound: below the melody, but above the base. As the most delicious filling in a cake!
Five
Gamelan, the term for a traditional musical ensemble in Indonesia, typically refers to a percussion orchestra composed predominantly of tunedgongs of various types and metal-keyed instruments. The ensemble is conducted by a drummer, and often includes voice, bamboo flute, xylophone, and stringed instruments.
String section
Orchestras are usually led by a conductor who directs the performance by way of visible gestures. The conductor unifies the orchestra, sets the tempo and shapes the sound of the ensemble.