Utah Symphony Concert

1. Utah Symphony Concert The Composer’s Toolbox

2. The Utah Symphony

3. Utah symphony Musicians • The Utah Symphony musicians love their work playing in an orchestra. They look forward to playing for you. • Onstage, they will be dressed all in black and white. They appear quite serious and they are! They concentrate because they always want to give the best performance possible.

4. Utah symphony musicians • This is their full time job so they spend a lot of time each day practicing, rehearsing and performing music. • Their lives off the stage are much like everyone else’s. • They garden, read, do sports, drive kids to soccer practice and ballet, help out at school, and enjoy life on the Wasatch Front.

5. Utah symphony musicians

6. A symphony concert • When you come to the concert, you will see the musicians on stage warming up. • Each of them will be playing different music and it will sound like a bit of a jumble. • You may notice our stage crew making some last minute adjustments to chairs or stands. • The audience and musicians will get quiet and still when introductions are made.

7. A symphony concert • The musicians need to make sure their instruments are in tune with each other. • The oboe plays a certain note (an “A”) and the sections take their turn tuning their instruments. • Next, the conductor comes on stage and the concert begins!

8. The composer’s Toolbox • Our concert is titled “The Composer’s Toolbox.” • The elements of music are the tools composers use to write music. • Terms that the conductor will explain include Melody: the tune Harmony: two or more pitches sounding together Rhythm: the patterns of time and beats in music Tempo: how fast or slow the music is Dynamics: how loud or soft the music is Tonality: the key – major or minor Timbre: the particular sound each instrument makes

9. Sections of the orchestra • As you listen, see if you can hear instruments from the different sections playing. WoodwindsBrassPercussionStringsOther Flute French horn Timpani Violin Harp Oboe Trumpet Bass drum Viola Piano Clarinet Trombone Cymbals Cello Bassoon Tuba Triangle Bass Tambourine Snare drum Many more

10. Orchestra diagram Here’s a chart showing where the instruments and sections sit on stage.

11. Concert etiquette • Our concert program will feature eight pieces of music. You might recognize some, and others will be new to you. • Applause at the end of each piece of music lets the musicians know you enjoyed the music and their performance. • When the conductor drops his arms and turns to the audience, the piece is ended. • It isn’t necessary to applaud after the shorter demonstrations.

12. Concert etiquette • Sitting still and quiet while the orchestra is playing lets everyone hear and enjoy the performance. • If you need to leave your seat, please try to do it during the applause. This is the same for returning to your seat. • Please do not take pictures during the concert. And remember, recording of any kind is not allowed. • Food and drink are not allowed in the concert hall.

13. Concert enjoyment • If you hear something you really like or are curious about, wait until the applause or after the concert to mention it to your neighbor. People stay quiet during a concert so everyone can hear everything. • And of course, you’ll be able to talk about everything after the concert.

14. Concert enjoyment A symphony concert is a great place to use your imagination while listening to the music. How does the music make you feel? Can you imagine a story to go with the music? Can you imagine a movie scene that it might accompany?

15. Utah symphony concert • We’re pleased to be able to perform for you soon. Your teacher has the music for some of the pieces that can be played before the concert and after. • If you haven’t been to a symphony concert before, you’re in for a big treat. Professional musicians playing live music is pretty exciting. • We would love to get letters from you letting us know what you think of the concert. ENJOY!