How hard is it to get into the orchestra?

Answer:

The path to obtaining a job in an orchestra is somewhat straightforward. First, you nearly always have to attend a great music school, at least at the Master's degree level. It is true that some undergraduates can go straight into an orchestral position, but it is rare.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are orchestra conductors really necessary?

Most importantly a conductor serves as a messenger for the composer. It is their responsibility to understand the music and convey it through gesture so transparently that the musicians in the orchestra understand it perfectly. Those musicians can then transmit a unified vision of the music out to the audience.

What is the best orchestra in the United States?

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Does orchestra include piano?

The piano is an entire orchestra in itself – but sometimes its sound is a part of the big symphony orchestra. ... With its many possibilities the piano is like an orchestra within the orchestra. Inside the shell the piano strings are strung on an iron frame that looks almost like a harp.

What happened to Glenn Miller and his Orchestra?

Popular big band leader Glenn Miller lost his life in a plane crash during the Second World War. To this day, the exact cause of the fatal crash and the death of those on the plane with him remains a mystery. Some even believed the story of a plane crash was a cover story for a more sordid end.

Who performs in the orchestra pit?

Conductor

How many woodwinds are in an orchestra?

The woodwind members of the orchestra are the flute, oboe, clarinet, and bassoon. There can be two, three, or four, of any of these woodwinds in an orchestra, depending on the size of the orchestra and the piece being played.

16 Related Question Answers Found:

Who is better band or orchestra?

Orchestra Takes More Effort Than Band. That doesn't mean that playing a band instrument isn't difficult, of course it is. However, playing a stringed instrument takes a lot more to get it just right. ... Band people might say that because band is easier, it is better.

Do all orchestras have the same instruments?

The orchestra, depending on the size, contains almost all of the standard instruments in each group. In the history of the orchestra, its instrumentation has been expanded over time, often agreed to have been standardized by the classical period and Ludwig van Beethoven's influence on the classical model.

What are the characteristics of orchestra?

The orchestra is a large instrumental ensemble and really one of the traditional forms of Western music. The traditional orchestra has five sections of instruments: the woodwinds, brass, percussion, strings, and keyboards. The strings section is usually the largest and generally carries the melody.

How much do Orchestra soloists make?

Stellar conductors can earn a fortune, soloists can charge between $30,000-$70,000 in the States, while the average wage for an average player in the grandest bands in the US is just over $100,000.

What is orchestral arrangement?

Arranging is the adaptation of an existing composition for performance on an instrument or voice or combination of instruments for which it was not originally composed. ... Orchestration is the art and craft of arranging a musical composition for performance by an orchestra or other ensemble.

Is Garritan Personal Orchestra good?

“Garritan Personal Orchestra 5 is a compact and budget-friendly orchestral library, but a lot more complete and flexible than many much larger and more expensive libraries. It's an excellent orchestra for the bedroom producer who doesn't want to spend a lot of money and disk space on orchestra samples.

Why do orchestras wear black?

Here lies the crucial argument: orchestra players wear black, because the audience wants to pay attention to the music – not them. Many classical music lovers believe that there should be absolutely nothing to distract from the music, not even the performers themselves. Playing in an orchestra is a group effort.

What instrument plays the highest pitch in the orchestra?

The flute is the highest sounding of the standard orchestra woodwind instruments (although the piccolo is higher). It's played played by blowing air across a hole in the mouthpiece. Because it's higher in pitch, like the violin, it will often play the melody of a piece.

Is Front Mezzanine better than orchestra?

Closer up on the sides, close to the aisle, can be better than center orchestra farther back. ... The mezzanine is different than the balcony-it is lower and closer to the stage (and front mezzanine seats are generally the same price as orchestra seats, while balcony seats are usually the least expensive).

What makes a good orchestra leader?

A school conductor should have integrity, competence and passion, be committed to the job, be a good communicator, be respectful, be able to make good decisions, and be knowledgeable and confident. A conductor should be dynamic.

Does an orchestra have a flute?

The flute used in an orchestra is usually made of silver metal, and with at least 13 tone holes controlled by valves. The flute family includes the C-flute and the piccolo as well as the more unusual alto flute and bass flute. But flutes have existed in all times and in all cultures and there are many, many variants.

Who wrote orchestral songs?

10 Classical Music Composers to KnowLudwig van Beethoven (1770–1827) ... Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) ... Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–91) ... Johannes Brahms (1833–97) ... Richard Wagner (1813–83) ... Claude Debussy (1862–1918) ... Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840–93) ... Frédéric Chopin (1810–49)More items...