A modern full-scale symphony orchestra consists of approximately one hundred permanent musicians, most often distributed as follows: 16–18 1st violins, 16 2nd violins, 12 violas, 12 cellos, 8 double basses, 4 flutes (one with piccolo as a specialty), 4 oboes (one with English horn as a specialty), 4 clarinets (one with ...
Major orchestra salaries range by the orchestra from a little over $100,000 to a little over $150,000. Principals, the ranking member of each orchestra section, can make a great deal more, in some instances more than $400,000. And most major orchestras play for a season lasting only about nine- months a year.
Orchestras always tune to concert pitch (usually A=440 Hertz, 440 vibrations per second). Conveniently, every string instrument has an A string.
How long is a typical concert? Concert lengths can vary somewhat, depending on what is being performed and how long each piece is, but are generally in the 2 hour range, including intermission.
Most orchestra musicians start their professional careers soon after earning a bachelor's or master's degree, usually from a conservatory music performance program.
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The double bass provides a unique sound in classical music. The instrument can play much lower than anyone can sing, and it provides the foundation for the orchestra's sound. ... In an orchestra, basses are almost always way over on the right side of the stage.
The Classical era, which covers roughly the second half of the 18th century, is one of the most significant periods in the development of orchestration. The most talented composers of this period were Mozart and Haydn. Many important developments took place during this time. The orchestra became standardized.
In the 18th century in Germany, Johann Stamitz and other composers in what is known as the Mannheim school established the basic composition of the modern symphony orchestra: four sections, consisting of woodwinds (flutes, oboes, and bassoons), brass (horns and trumpets), percussion (two timpani), and strings (first ...
You may be surprised that the saxophone is not here. This is the one instrument that is always found in bands and wind ensembles, but only very rarely plays in the orchestra. Although flutes may be made of wood, the orchestral flute is usually made of metal. It also does not have a reed.
Orchestras Typically Boast Five Different Types of String InstrumentsViolins are the sopranos. There's no doubt that the soprano is "the star" of the orchestra. ... Violas are the altos. ... Cellos form the tenor section. ... The Double Bass lives up to its name. ... The Harp is a celestial addition.
Of course classical music is not dying – it's being performed and recorded everywhere. Of course classical music is dying – even the Met can't sell tickets.
The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra was conceived by Britten as a score for a 1946 documentary film, Instruments of the Orchestra, and it was presented in that medium in London. Soon it was appropriated for the concert hall by symphony orchestras for performance, often with spoken commentary.
Because most of the orchestras in the world can play together without any conductor. You are there to help them play better musically, and help them make a sound that is more coherent, that makes more sense from the composer's point of view.”
An orchestra is a large instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string (violin, viola, cello, and double bass), brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments.
Sir Thomas Beecham
1999
The modern orchestra's woodwind section typically includes: flutes, oboes, clarinets, and bassoons. The piccolo, cor anglais, bass clarinet, E-flat clarinet, and contrabassoon are commonly used supplementary woodwind instruments.
There are a lot of variables, which is why no respectable contractor will list a fee on a website, but, in most larger cities in the US, for a reasonable, professional, "pickup" orchestra, figure $200ish per person for a 2-3 hour window.