What is the origin of the word orchestra?

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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

When did the London Symphony Orchestra start?

1904

What is the plural for orchestra?

Orchestras

How long are Trans-Siberian Orchestra concerts?

A typical Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert usually runs at least 2.5 hours, but this is subject to change.

What is the difference between orchestra and symphony?

A symphony is a large-scale musical composition, usually with three or four movements. An orchestra is a group of musicians with a variety of instruments, which usually includes the violin family.

Does an opera have an orchestra?

The performance is typically given in an opera house, accompanied by an orchestra or smaller musical ensemble, which since the early 19th century has been led by a conductor. Opera is a key part of the Western classical music tradition.

24 Related Question Answers Found:

What is the difference between a big 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.

Is the saxophone often used in a symphony orchestra?

The most commonly given reason for why saxophones are rarely used in orchestral pieces is because they were invented much later than the standard orchestra. This argument doesn't hold up though, because tuba was invented around the same time and is now a staple instrument of the brass section.

Which are the four families in a symphony orchestra?

Each instrument has unique characteristics, such as the different ways they produce a sound, the materials used to create them, and their overall appearance. These characteristics ultimately divide instruments into four families: woodwinds, brass, percussion, and strings.

Is orchestra only string instruments?

The typical symphony orchestra consists of four groups of related musical instruments called the woodwinds, brass, percussion, and strings. ... The orchestra, depending on the size, contains almost all of the standard instruments in each group.

Where does orchestra conductor work?

Conductors act as guides to the orchestras or choirs they conduct. They choose the works to be performed and study their scores, to which they may make certain adjustments (such as in tempo, articulation, phrasing, repetitions of sections), work out their interpretation, and relay their vision to the performers.

How does one become an orchestra conductor?

Conductors need, at the minimum, a bachelor's degree in arts (BA), although many professional positions require a master's (MA). Fortunately, there are a variety of music majors and minors to choose from, including conducting, in a number of universities.

How does playing in an orchestra benefit you?

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.

How many orchestral instruments are there?

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 strings are in a classical orchestra?

String orchestras can be of chamber orchestra size ranging from between 12 (4 first violins, 3 second violins, 2 violas, 2 cellos and 1 bass = 12) and 21 musicians (6 first violins, 5 second violins, 4 violas, 4 cellos and 2 double basses= 21) sometimes performing without a conductor.

Are bass clarinets in orchestra?

Bass clarinets regularly perform in orchestras, wind ensembles/concert bands, occasionally in marching bands, and play an occasional solo role in contemporary music and jazz in particular. Someone who plays a bass clarinet is called a bass clarinetist.

What is a synonym for orchestra?

In this page you can discover 24 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for orchestra, like: band, instruments, musical ensemble, symphony, Kapelle (German), chamber, ensemble,gamelan, group, maestro and philharmonic.

What is the first chair in an orchestra?

The first chair is basically the best player of the section. That means that the person in that chair has an opportunity to teach the rest of the section how to do certain things. For example, an orchestra: the first chair would be the example of the bowing and fingering.

How many instruments are in a chamber orchestra?

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 ...