Is orchestra seating better than balcony?

Answer:

The word "balcony" has a certain nose-bleed connotation, and ticket buyers are less spooked by the word "mezzanine." Front mezzanine seats are usually as good as orchestra seats, sometimes better, depending on the show. For a show with a visual sweep or intricate choreography, you might be better off in the mezzanine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all orchestras the same size?

The orchestra, depending on the size, contains almost all of the standard instruments in each group. ... A chamber orchestra is usually a smaller ensemble; a major chamber orchestra might employ as many as fifty musicians, but some are much smaller.

Is the banjo part of the orchestra?

The Banjo-Orchestra is comprised of piano, banjo, snare drum, tambourine, triangle, wood block, castanets, bass drum, and cymbal.

How old is the orchestra?

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 kind of orchestra is Piphat?

Wind and percussion orchestra

Are there piccolos in an orchestra?

At half the size of a standard flute, piccolos play the highest notes of all the woodwinds; in the orchestra one of the flute players will also play piccolo if that instrument is required.

How do you write an orchestral score?

10 Composer Tips for writing Orchestral MusicFirst create a piano reduction. ... Nothing is more important than the musical motif (melody, main idea) and the bass line. ... In the orchestra the strings are often the most iconic part. ... Horns are easier than you think. ... Less is most definitely more. ... Hybrid elements.

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How has the orchestra developed over time?

Pairs of wind instruments became an established part of the orchestra during the Classical period (approx 1750 – 1810). Through the Romantic period (approx 1810 – 1914), the number of wind and brass instruments used was expanded as composers looked to use a wider variety of sounds in their orchestral music.

Do orchestra players get paid?

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.

Does orchestra include guitar?

Guitarists' interest in playing together as a group has also spawned the advent of guitar orchestras, which exist all over the world. Some of the most famous, guitar-only orchestras include The Barcelona Guitar Orchestra, the New York City Guitar Orchestra and the Cambridge Guitar Orchestra.

What do you wear to an orchestra performance?

There is no official dress code, but you'll seeguests wearing everything from jeans to cocktail dresses. Most guests opt for business attire or business casual. Some people enjoy dressing up and making a special night of it, others prefer to dress more laid back. Generally, the only tuxes you'll see are on stage.

Is being an orchestra conductor hard?

But “conducting is more difficult than playing a single instrument,” claims Boulez. “You have to know the culture, to know the score, and to project what you want to hear.” A great conductor might have peerless musical instincts and intuition, but innate musicality will get them only so far.

How do you join a pit orchestra?

Subbing in is a common way for aspiring pit orchestra musicians to get their first experience on a big show. Deep instrumental proficiency. Multi-instrumentalism. Reading music notation. Wide repertoire. Collaboration. Reliability. Flexibility. Networking.

How is an orchestra arranged?

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.

What makes a good orchestral musician?

Excellent work ethics and attention to details Come prepared with music, pencil/eraser, stand (if necessary), tuner, relevant instrument equipment, back-up strings, water bottle, etc. Commit to your private practice. Over-practice difficult passages so you're "safe" if any unexpected tempo changes occur.

What does the leader of an orchestra do?

'The most obvious role of the Leader is liaising with the conductor in rehearsals to help the Orchestra interpret their ideas and make them sound as they imagine. This mainly affects the string section, but may also influence the rest of the Orchestra.

What makes a good orchestration?

Make formal sense: Changes of orchestration must arrive at appropriate places, with appropriate degrees of contrast. Supply sufficient variety and freshness of color to maintain interest. Enhance the phrasing. Ensure clarity of the various musical elements: Every element should be audible.

How does a conductor arrange the musical instruments in an orchestra?

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.