An orchestra is a group of musicians with a variety of instruments, which usually includes the violin family. A symphony orchestra (often just called “a symphony” for short) is an orchestra that has both the number of players and types of instruments required to play a symphony.
: a group of musicians who play usually classical music together and who are led by a conductor. US : a group of seats in a theater that are close to the stage. See the full definition for orchestra in the English Language Learners Dictionary.
Orchestral musicians are seasoned professionals and it is the COMPOSER who decides, and writes down, exactly what s/he wants the players to do. The "maestro" did not write the music. Players play without cues from the conductor. Conductors are not needed for performances.
The typical symphony orchestra consists of four groups of related musical instruments called the woodwinds, brass, percussion, and strings (violin, viola, cello, and double bass).
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Four timpaniMost orchestras have four timpani of different sizes and tuned to different pitches and they are usually played by one musician, who hits the drumheads with felt-tipped mallets or wooden sticks.
Much of its success can be credited to the latest music director, Franz Welser-Möst.” “Cleveland's orchestra is perennially ranked one of the best in the world…
Four The modern symphony orchestra contains four main sections: strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion.
RAFAEL KUBELÍK Kubelík made his American debut with the Chicago Symphony in November 1949, and the success of those appearances led to his appointment as the Orchestra's fifth music director.
These are the extracurriculars that include not only electives like band and theater arts but also after-school clubs that are sponsored by teachers. ... Band, choir, orchestra.
Many orchestras without full time seasons will often times utilize subs for these parts. ... More than that, nearly all the solo pieces for other instruments such as violin, flute, clarinet, or nearly any other instrument have accompanying piano parts; so the piano is an intrinsic part of playing with other instruments.
Music directors are experienced conductors who shape their orchestra's musical identity by selecting the performance repertoire for the season, molding the musical performances in rehearsal, hiring new players, commissioning new pieces from composers, soliciting guest conductors, and organizing ongoing community ...
Chair violinistThe first chair violinist of an orchestra—known as the concertmaster—is a vital musical leader with widely ranging responsibilities, from tuning the orchestra to working closely with the conductor.
Orchestras generally have as many string players as they can afford, space permitting. Big budget orchestras will have much larger string sections than orchestras with smaller budgets. Opera orchestras use a smaller string section due to space limitations in the pit.
It's so hard to find work as a violinist, that usually the less talented people choose the viola, and as viola players they manage to find work playing or teaching the viola. Well, to be in a symphony orchestra, you have to be very good indeed, but to be a soloist, you really have to be absolutely brilliant.
Playing in an orchestra is typically harder than a band. Orchestral music is more complex and the fewer wind and percussion players are more exposed than in a band. Although marching bands may seem physically harder, playing demanding orchestra music is also physically and mentally taxing.