An orchestra tunes itself to a very particular frequency, usually 440 hertz, a note known as A 440. The note is played by the oboist, and the rest of the orchestra tunes their instruments to match it. The oboe leads the tuning because of all the instruments, it is least affected by humidity or other weather conditions.
Orchestras are made up of four main sections: strings, woodwind, brass and percussion. Of these four, the string family is typically the largest section, often comprising half the orchestra performers. The string section itself is divided further into four – or five – sections, depending on how you break it down.
The Count Basie Orchestra Young gave Holiday the nickname "Lady Day" in 1937 — the same year she joined Basie's band. In return, she called him "Prez," which was her way of saying that she thought it was the greatest. Holiday toured with the Count Basie Orchestra in 1937.
Concert pitch is the pitch reference to which a group of musical instruments are tuned for a performance. ... The most common modern tuning standard uses 440 Hz for A above middle C as a reference note, with other notes being set relative to it. In the literature this is also called international standard pitch.
A classical piece has greater variety and more rapid changes of tone colour. Each section of the classical orchestra had a special role. ... Horns and trumpets brought power to loud passages and filled out with the harmony, though they do not usually play the main melody. Timpani were used for rhythmic bite and emphasis.
The strings sit at the front of the stage in a fan-shape in front of the conductor. The first violins are on the conductor's left, then come the second violins, then the violas and then the cellos. The double basses are behind the cellos.
Conductor
In the 17th century, violins became the primary string instrument of the orchestra. More woodwind instruments were added in, and by the 18th century, French horns, trombones, and trumpets became regular additions.
Two trumpets The orchestra became standardized. The Classical orchestra came to consist of strings (first and second violins, violas, violoncellos, and double basses), two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, two or four horns, two trumpets, and two timpani.
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.
The weekly wage for a Broadway musician is $1,885.77. If a musician performs (or “doubles”) on multiple instruments, each additional instrument increases their base salary. The first addition earns the player $235.72extra a week, with $117.86 more for each additional instrument played.
In the 18th century in Germany, Johann Stamitz and other composers in what is known as the Mannheim school established the basic composition of the modern symphony orchestra: four sections, consisting of woodwinds (flutes, oboes, and bassoons), brass (horns and trumpets), percussion (two timpani), and strings (first ...
The 18 greatest conductors of all time
Sometimes the front of the stage extends past the proscenium into the auditorium. This is known as an apron or forestage. Theatres containing proscenium stages are known as proscenium arch theatres and often include an orchestra pit for live music and a fly tower for the movement of scenery and lighting.
To arrange or score music for performance by an orchestra. To compose or arrange orchestral music for a dramatic performance.
The pit orchestra takes its name from the lowered area in front of a stage—the orchestra pit—where the musicians and conductor are situated during a theatrical performance.
The harp combines well with all orchestra groups. It has the function of fleshing out the sound and is often treated as a filling-in instrument.
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.
Orchestra instruments are grouped into four main families: the string family, the woodwind family, the brass family, and the percussion family. Today, we will learn about the string and woodwind families.
Bassoon It's a bassoon. This instrument is often called the clown of the orchestra.
English horn, French cor anglais, German Englischhorn, orchestral woodwind instrument, a large oboe pitched a fifth below the ordinary oboe, with a bulbous bell and, at the top end, a bent metal crook on which the double reed is placed.
The piano is an entire orchestra in itself – but sometimes its sound is a part of the big symphony orchestra.
The piano is an entire orchestra in itself – but sometimes its sound is a part of the big symphony orchestra.