What is a second chair in an orchestra?

Answer:

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the saxophone not considered an orchestral instrument?

It was rapidly assimilated into military bands and by the turn of the century could be found in vaudeville acts and other similar genres as a novelty instrument. All of these factors combined suggest why the saxophone never became part of the orchestra.

Why are the string section seated at the front of the orchestra?

Also, the string section usually has the most notes and highest percentage of melody, so it would make sense to put them in front, where they are visible–both to the audience and to each other–and have the best chance of being heard. ... Absil, so for the most precise ensemble playing, the strings need to be in the front.

How much does a member of an orchestra 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.

Is orchestra level seating good?

Views from the Orchestra are largely good, although the depth of the auditorium means seats behind row T are more likely to feel distant. There is also some obstruction to the top of the stage from the Mezzanine overhang, which starts at row J and is more evident further back.

What is the most expensive instrument in an orchestra?

Hammer Violin

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What are the two most popular gamelan orchestra of Indonesia?

They have three leading Gamelan styles that consist of Gamelan Salendro, Gamelan Degung, and Tembang Sunda. Sundanese gamelan tends to have a distinctive style and is different from gamelan in Java and Bali. Dominated by Central Javanese rulers in 19th century, Gamelan music owns an intricate orchestral construction.

Why are orchestras seated that way?

“The board was outraged, arguing that the winds 'weren't busy enough to put on a good show. ' “But in the 1920s he made one change that stuck: he arranged the strings from high to low, left to right, arguing that placing all the violins together helped the musicians to hear one another better.

Are there oboes in an orchestra?

Oboes have been used in orchestras for about 400 years and are among the most established instruments of the orchestra. The oboe is slightly lower in pitch than the flute and so occupies the alto register in the woodwind section.

What is the role of the conductor of the symphony orchestra?

“The role of a Conductor is to unify a large group of musicians into a core sound instead of a wild bunch of different sounds surging out; the role of a Concertmaster is to decode the conductor's information, and transmit it to the orchestra, plus to his section; the role of Principals is to use all this information ...

How do you conduct an orchestra?

Conducting a Symphony Orchestra. Stand straight with your feet shoulder-width apart while conducting. When you first get up on the conductor's podium, find your place in front of the stand, spread your feet so they're shoulder-width apart, and then relax your shoulders and body.

Is a double bass in an orchestra?

The double bass is the largest string instrument in the orchestra and with its warm, deep tones it is often thought of as the supporting the rest of the orchestra.

What is the easiest instrument to play in an orchestra?

The flute is a great instrument for beginners and is one of the most popular, especially for school age learners. The flute is small and compact, easy to learn, and is one of the more affordable instruments in the orchestra.

What is the Chicago Symphony Orchestra known for?

Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO), American symphony orchestra based in Chicago, Ill., renowned for its distinctive tone and its recordings under such conductors as Fritz Reiner and Sir Georg Solti.

Where are the cellos located in the orchestra?

Cellos are part of the standard symphony orchestra, which usually includes eight to twelve cellists. The cello section, in standard orchestral seating, is located on stage left (the audience's right) in the front, opposite the first violin section.

How many brass instruments are in an orchestra?

Eleven to fourteen brass instruments will be found in the orchestra. The brass family usually sits across the back of the orchestra. The HORN is in the back row of the orchestra, behind the bassoons and clarinets.

What is orchestral score?

An orchestral score or full score shows exactly what all the instruments of the orchestra play. ... A vocal score or piano score is the music for a piece for choir and singers (e.g. an opera) in which all the instrumental parts are printed on two staves so that it can be played on a piano.

What does the conductor of an orchestra do?

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 are orchestral colors?

Timbre is commonly referred to as orchestral or vocal colour. The formalists just mentioned characterize musical works as pure (that is, colourless) patterns of notes or sound sequences.