All About A Symphony

1. All About A Symphony Video Links Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjHxNwCPcmY&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mU8cWb9PR1I&feature=related

2. Some Basics • What is an orchestra? • An orchestra is a largo group of musicians who play music together. • What is a symphony? • A symphony is a long composition for orchestra, usually with three or four movements (sections). Each movement varies in mood, tempo, or style.

3. Some Basics • Where do the words “orchestra” and “symphony” come from? • They are both ancient Greek words. The word “orchestra” originally referred to the section of the theater between the stage where the musicians performed and the audience. “Symphony” means “sounding together”.

4. Some Basics • What is a symphony orchestra? • A large orchestra that plays classical music is usually called a “symphony orchestra”, even though it may play other forms of music in addition to symphonies.

5. Some Basics • Are all orchestras the same size? • The size of an orchestra is usually determined by the type of music it is performing. The number of musicians in an orchestra may change from one piece to the next. While orchestras of the 1700s only used about 30 players, some orchestral compositions written today can use over 100 musicians.

6. Some Basics • What is a concertmaster? • A concertmaster is the best violinist in the orchestra. He or she usually gets to play the solo parts and leads the final tuning of the orchestra. • Is a piano ever used in the orchestra? • Yes. In a piano concerto (a piece written for orchestra and piano soloist), a grand piano will appear on stage. Pianos are also sometimes used with other symphonic repertoire to add color and texture to the music.

7. Some Basics • Are other types of keyboard instruments ever used in an orchestra? • A harpsichord can be used for music that was composed before 1750 (Baroque era). Electric keyboards are sometimes used in modern music. Another keyboard instrument called a celesta is used in the famous Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairyfrom The Nutcracker. The organ has been used in some orchestral music too.

8. Seating Arrangement Musicians are seated in four sections – string, woodwind, brass, and percussion.

9. Meet the Conductor • What is the history of conducting? • In ancient Greek theater, dancers were coordinated by somebody stomping on the ground. In medieval churches, hand signals were used for the melodic line. Early orchestras were led by a musician who played while standing so directions could be seen by all.

10. Meet the Conductor • Why does a conductor move his arms? • In general, the right arm conducts the tempo and meter. The left arm gives the signals to make the music more expressive, and to remind musicians when to enter. • Does the conductor use only his arms? • No. The musicians will also be watching the conductor’s face and the movements of his body.

11. Meet the Conductor • What does a conductor need to know? • The conductor needs to be a very skilled musician with a good knowledge of how every instrument works. He must have the ability to sight-read in all clefs, to practically memorize the entire composition he’ll be conducting, and to familiarize himself with every instrumental part. The conductor must also know how to communicate ideas not only verbally, but also through body movement.

12. Meet the Conductor • What are some of the conductor’s additional responsibilities? • It is his job to choose the music and decide how it will be played. He leads rehearsals and chooses guest soloists, helps auditions, and helps section leaders with problems. • What is the name of the stick that a conductor uses? • A baton. It was first used in the very early 1800s.