The OrchestraThe Orchestra

What is an Orchestra?What is an Orchestra?- A large group of musicians that includes string, A large group of musicians that includes string,

woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. Also called a Also called a symphony orchestra symphony orchestra or or philharmonic orchestra.philharmonic orchestra.

- OrchestraOrchestra (means “a dancing place in (means “a dancing place in Greek)comes from the area in front of the stage Greek)comes from the area in front of the stage in ancient Greek drama reserved for the chorus. in ancient Greek drama reserved for the chorus.

Components of the OrchestraComponents of the Orchestra

- An orchestra generally has 80 to 100 musicians.An orchestra generally has 80 to 100 musicians.

- A A chamber orchestrachamber orchestra is smaller, with about 40 is smaller, with about 40

or fewer musicians.or fewer musicians.

- The The conductorconductor directs the musical performance directs the musical performance with visible gestures, e.g. hands and facial with visible gestures, e.g. hands and facial expressions. The conductor is also called expressions. The conductor is also called the musical director.the musical director.

- The - The concertmasterconcertmaster is the 1 is the 1stst principle violin player. principle violin player. This person is second in command to the conductor.This person is second in command to the conductor.

- Each instrumental section has a leader known as the Each instrumental section has a leader known as the principle.principle.

Instrument FamiliesInstrument FamiliesStrings: Strings:

Produce sound (pitch) by plucking strings with fingers Produce sound (pitch) by plucking strings with fingers or using a bowor using a bow

Woodwinds:Woodwinds:

Produce sound when air is blown through a reed or Produce sound when air is blown through a reed or across an opening; pitch is modified by finger holes or across an opening; pitch is modified by finger holes or keyskeys

Brass: Brass:

Produce sound when the lips are buzzed and air is Produce sound when the lips are buzzed and air is forced into tubes or coils; pitch is modified by forced into tubes or coils; pitch is modified by lengthening or shortening air flow with valves or a slidelengthening or shortening air flow with valves or a slide

Percussion: Percussion:

Produce sound by shaking, hitting or scraping. Produce sound by shaking, hitting or scraping.

Instruments of the Orchestra - Instruments of the Orchestra - StringsStrings

Violin, viola, cello, double bass,Violin, viola, cello, double bass,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueJcRmfweSM

Instruments of the Orchestra - Instruments of the Orchestra - WoodwindsWoodwinds

piccolo, flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, piccolo, flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, contrabassoon.bassoon, contrabassoon.

Instruments of the Orchestra - Instruments of the Orchestra - BrassBrass

Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba

Instruments of the Orchestra - Instruments of the Orchestra - PercussionPercussion

Timpani, snare drum, bass drum, cymbals, triangleTimpani, snare drum, bass drum, cymbals, triangle

What do they play?What do they play?

- The repertoire (collection of musical The repertoire (collection of musical pieces) of a symphony orchestra is usually pieces) of a symphony orchestra is usually classical music or opera.classical music or opera.

- Orchestras sometimes play popular musicOrchestras sometimes play popular music

- Symphony orchestras also commonly used Symphony orchestras also commonly used to perform film to perform film scoresscores- Score: the sheet music for a composition. It includes all Score: the sheet music for a composition. It includes all

parts written for each instrumentparts written for each instrument

Orchestra SeatingOrchestra Seating

Musical CompositionsMusical Compositions

Symphony: Symphony: composition for composition for orchestra in 4 movementsorchestra in 4 movements1. fast, dramatic1. fast, dramatic2. lyrical, slow2. lyrical, slow3. dance – minuet or scherzo3. dance – minuet or scherzo4. brilliant/heroic, fast4. brilliant/heroic, fast

Concerto: Concerto: musical work for solo instrument or musical work for solo instrument or small group & orchestrasmall group & orchestra

Musical CompositionsMusical Compositions

Concerto grosso:Concerto grosso:composition that alternates between a composition that alternates between a soloist and the orchestrasoloist and the orchestra

Theme & VariationTheme & Variation::composition where one theme is composition where one theme is stated then altered in successive stated then altered in successive statementsstatements

Sonata:Sonata:composition in several movements for composition in several movements for soloist or small ensemblesoloist or small ensemble

Musical CompositionsMusical CompositionsRondo:Rondo:

musical form with a recurring thememusical form with a recurring theme

Cantata:Cantata:Vocal genre for solo singers, chorus and Vocal genre for solo singers, chorus and instrumentalists based on a lyric or dramatic poetic instrumentalists based on a lyric or dramatic poetic narrativenarrative

Oratorio:Oratorio:Large-scale dramatic piece, based on a text of Large-scale dramatic piece, based on a text of religious or serious character, performed by religious or serious character, performed by solo voices, chorus and orchestra; similar to solo voices, chorus and orchestra; similar to opera but without scenery, costumes or actionopera but without scenery, costumes or action..

Fugue:Fugue:composition where the theme is imitated and composition where the theme is imitated and overlapsoverlaps