What does the word orchestra originally mean?

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Answer:

The word orchestra comes from the actual space in which an orchestra plays; the Greek orkhestra means "a space where a chorus of dancers performs," from orkheisthai, "to dance."

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the four families that make up a classical orchestra?

Here you can learn more about the 4 families of the orchestra: string, woodwind, brass, and percussion!

How much does an orchestral recording cost?

Recording a 60-90 minute orchestral film score can cost anything from $30,000 up to $1,000,000 and beyond. In London or LA, a reasonable average for musicians and studio is around $100,000. Yes you can record much cheaper in Europe and it can sound great.

Why are there no saxophones in orchestras?

Why didn't the saxophone find its way into the orchestra? ... Adolphe Sax's saxophones were constructed differently from instruments made by his contemporaries. At the time, manufacturers constructed musical instruments by buying pre-made parts from part shops, which they would then fasten together to make an instrument.

Which brass instruments are in the orchestra?

The brass family members that are most commonly used in the orchestra include the trumpet, French horn, trombone, and the tuba.

What is the difference between a band and an orchestra?

An orchestra is a large group of musicians which can include even 100 or more members. A band is a small group of musicians which generally includes a lesser number of members than orchestras. Orchestras use four main families of instruments – strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion.

What orchestra did Toscanini conduct?

New York Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra

What is a solo with full orchestral accompaniment called?

A song for solo voice with orchestral accompaniment is called an aria. Arias began as simple melodies and then evolved into more structured pieces in...

19 Related Question Answers Found:

Is a cello in an orchestra?

The cello is most closely associated with European classical music. The instrument is a part of the standard orchestra, as part of the string section, and is the bass voice of the string quartet (although many composers give it a melodic role as well), as well as being part of many other chambergroups.

How many orchestras are in London?

That city has five full-time symphony orchestras. One is the BBC, which is predominantly a studio orchestra. The other four are concert-giving; one, the Royal Philharmonic, is visiting Carnegie Hall this weekend with its conductor laureate, Yehudi Menuhin.

Why is playing in an orchestra hard?

When you are playing in an orchestra, because everyone is playing a different part, everyone has a different internal sense of the tempo. Even the best professional players will sometimes tend to rush or slow down and need to keep an eye on the conductor to maintain their rhythmic discipline.

What do professional orchestra players make?

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.

What is Trans Siberian Orchestra's most famous song?

Trans-Siberian Orchestra's Best SongsChristmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24 Trans-Siberian Orchestra. ... Wizards in Winter Trans-Siberian Orchestra. ... Carol of the Bells Trans-Siberian Orchestra. ... A Mad Russian's Christmas Trans Siberian Orchestra. ... Christmas Canon Trans-Siberian Orchestra. ... Christmas Eve in Sarajevo Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

How long does an orchestra rehearse?

Some professional orchestras rehearse as little as two times before performing. Community orchestras usually have about 1-2 months of rehearsals prior to a concert. Still, that is not enough time to memorize 3 or 4 pieces which can span 3-6+ pages each.

How many clarinets does an orchestra have?

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 ...

How many pieces are in a symphony orchestra?

Symphonies are almost always scored for an orchestra consisting of a string section (violin, viola, cello, and double bass), brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments which altogether number about 30 to 100 musicians. Symphonies are notated in a musical score, which contains all the instrument parts.

Is band or orchestra better?

Orchestra Takes More Effort Than Band. “You have to put a lot of effort into what your playing,” said Rochelle Flores, “The strings on all of the stringed instruments that you play in an orchestra are very difficult.” ... Band people might say that because band is easier, it is better.

What does orchestrate mean in business?

According to Webster's Dictionary, "to orchestrate" means "to arrange, organize, or build up for special or maximum effect." What does it take to be the "conductor" in your business, the one who orchestrates many functions (e.g. sales, marketing, operations, finance) toward a common goal?

What are the strings in an orchestra?

The strings are the largest family of instruments in the orchestra and they come in four sizes: the violin, which is the smallest, viola, cello, and the biggest, the double bass, sometimes called the contrabass.

What skills do orchestras teach?

Orchestra members have to work together to make music. Children learn to wait to play their instrument at the proper time, learn to adjust to fit their movements and sounds with those of others. They are learning how to cooperate and collaborate, they are learning sympathy and empathy.

Are there euphoniums in orchestras?

The orchestra has traditionally excluded two "band" instruments from its ranks: the saxophone and the euphonium. ... Additionally, composers needed actually to write the instruments into their scores, and the trend just didn't catch on. As a result, relatively few orchestral works include saxophone or euphonium.

What is meant by orchestrator?

Noun. 1. orchestrator - an arranger who writes for orchestras. adapter, arranger, transcriber - a musician who adapts a composition for particular voices or instruments or for another style of performance.

How much does an orchestra musician earn?

How much you can make as a classical musician varies wildly. According to the American Federation of Musicians or AFM, Toronto branch, hourly rates for orchestral musicians start at $106 for the leader and $53 per hour for what they call side players, with a three-hour minimum. That's scale for a freelance gig.

How do you become a good orchestra player?

Improve Your Orchestral Playing, Even from the Back of the...Learn to Multitask. Sitting at or near the back of the strings requires an intense concentration that has to be focused in many different directions. ... Follow the Conductor. ... Bowing Tips. ... Follow the Leader. ... Leading from the Back.