Fabulous Facts on the Orchestra

Going out to the Orchestra, Opera, MusicalString Instruments take up about two thirds or
Theatre or Mass is a past time which manythree quarters of the entire orchestra. They
people enjoy. Music plays a great part in manyconsist of around 32 violins ( first and second ),
peoples lives, whether it is to listen to or take12 violas, 10 cellos and 8 double basses plus one
part in. These groups mentioned earlier all consistor two harps.
of an orchestra. So, what is an orchestra?Woodwind Instruments consist of flutes, clarinets,
The word Orchestra comes from ancient Greek.oboes and bassoons. There are usually around 2
It originally meant the semi-circular space in frontto 4 players of each of these instruments. One
of the stage in a theatre where the chorus in aplayer from each instrument type may double up
Greek play danced or sang. Later, at the beginningon a higher or lower version of that instrument
of the seventeenth century when the first Italianeg flute players double up with a piccolo which is a
Operas were performed, a small group ofshorter, higher flute.
musicians accompanied the singers and wereBrass Instruments consist of trumpets, horns,
seated in a similar space in front of the stage.trombones, tuba(s) and sometimes a cornet. The
And so the word Orchestra came to mean anumbers vary depending on the work performed.
body of musicians.Some modern works can use 6 trumpets, 8
There are various types of orchestras. The grouphorns, 4 trombones and 2or 3 tubas.
size may be large or small and a conductor usuallyPercussion Instruments consist of 4 to 5 players.
directs them.The instruments are varied and are shaken,
Large orchestras of around one hundredrubbed or struck Examples used in a symphony
musicians, are seen in most large cities andorchestra are the timpani, tam-tam, cymbals,
perform in a variety of settings. They are oftentriangle, tambourines and various kinds of drums.
called:Where do these instrumentalists sit?
1. Symphony Orchestra because of theA typical symphony orchestra has a seating plan
symphonies they play which require a largein the shape of a semi-circle ( from the original
number of musicians. They also play a wide rangemeaning of Orchestra ) with a conductor in the
of other music.middle front on a raised stand. The layout can
2. Philharmonic Orchestra which means 'lovingvary according to conductor used.
harmony of music"The violins sit to the left of the conductor in
Smaller Orchestras come in varying types andorder of first violins near stage edge and second
styles and include the following:violins next to the firsts. the cellos (stage edge )
1. Chamber Orchestra: This orchestra usuallyand violas sit to the right of the conductor, with
consists of about twenty players who canthe double basses behind. The woodwinds sit in
comfortably perform in a large room of athe middle with the flutes ( front ) and clarinets (
mansion, hence the name. music performedback ) to the left and oboes ( front ) and
consists of works from the eighteenth centurybassoons ( back ) to the right. The brass sit
eg from Bach and Mozart, and also more modernbehind the woodwinds. And the percussion sit at
works.the back of the orchestra
2. Small Orchestra: This orchestra is slightly largerWhat does the Conductor do?
than the chamber orchestra and plays moreThe conductor directs the orchestra with use of
modern works.a baton and their arms. They indicate to the
3. Theatre Orchestras: These orchestrasmusicians all sorts of things like music speed,
accompany musical theatre, opera, ballets and canrhythm, expression like loud and soft playing and
consist of up to sixty players.bringing in the instrumentalists at the correct place.
4. String Orchestra: This orchestra consists ofIn rehearsal they correct musicians on these
around twenty string instrumentalists only. Musicaspects. The principal violin, who is the leader of
played is classical and modern.the orchestra, is responsible for the discipline of
5. Jazz and Concert Orchestras which play andmusicians during rehearsal.
record light music.As you can see, there are a variety of
It is interesting to note that a group of windorchestras which have varying numbers of people
instrumentalists playing together are usually calledand instruments. A symphony orchestra is just
a Band eg Symphonic Bandone type of orchestra and consists of a large
So what are the instruments of a typicalnumber of string, woodwind, brass and percussion
Symphony Orchestra?players. Orchestras usually have a conductor who
There are four main groups of instruments whichdirects the musicians and give the music spark.
play in a symphony orchestra.