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 …

orchestra Add to list Share. The word orchestra comes from the actual space in which an orchestra plays; the Greek orkhestra means “a space where a chorus of dancers performs,” from orkheisthai, “to dance.”

The word “orchestra” was used to describe the place where musicians and dancers performed in ancient Greece. The orchestra, or symphony orchestra, is generally defined as an ensemble mainly composing of bowed stringed instruments, percussion, wind and brass instruments.

Among the earliest notable conductors were Louis Spohr, Carl Maria von Weber, Louis-Antoine Jullien and Felix Mendelssohn, all of whom were also composers. Mendelssohn is claimed to have been the first conductor to utilize a wooden baton to keep time, a practice still generally in use in the 2010s.

Orchestra. In an orchestra, the concertmaster is the leader of the first violin section. There is another violin section, the second violins, led by the principal second violin.

Local Orchestras Can Help Celebrate Holidays, Events, and Milestones. Music is an essential part of almost every event. While live bands are often the go-to for entertainment, local orchestras, too, can help celebrate the moment.

orchestra. / (ˈɔːkɪstrə) / noun. a large group of musicians, esp one whose members play a variety of different instrumentsSee also symphony orchestra, string orchestra, chamber orchestra. a group of musicians, each playing the same type of instrumenta balalaika orchestra.

1a : the circular space used by the chorus in front of the proscenium in an ancient Greek theater. b : a corresponding semicircular space in a Roman theater used for seating important persons. 2a : the space in front of the stage in a modern theater that is used by an orchestra.

People have been putting instruments together in various combinations for millennia, but it wasn’t un- til about 400 years ago that musicians started forming combinations that would eventually turn into the modern orchestra. Around 1600 in Italy, the composer Claudio Monteverdi changed that.

Why does the conductor shake hands with the concertmaster at the beginning and end of each concert? When the conductor shakes hands with the concertmaster, it is a gesture of greetings or thanks to the entire orchestra. It is a custom of respect and a symbol of cooperation.

First Chair, First Violinist, Concertmistress. The first chair violinist of an orchestra—known as the concertmaster—is a vital musical leader with widely ranging responsibilities, from tuning the orchestra to working closely with the conductor. Careers in Orchestra, Chorus, and Band. Careers in Performance.

The term orchestra derives from the Greek ὀρχήστρα ( orchestra ), the name for the area in front of a stage in ancient Greek theatre reserved for the Greek chorus. This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (April 2019) In the Baroque era, the size and composition of an orchestra was not standardised.

The 2019/2020 season marks the 140th for the SLSO, which is the second-oldest orchestra in the country, and its first with Stéphane as the Music Director. The decision to come to St. Louis “felt very natural,” he says.

History of the Orchestra. The word orchestra was first used by the ancient Greeks and meant the front part of a stage . During the Middle Ages it also included the musicians on the stage . The first orchestras were organized by kings and queens of France and in Italian churches and places during the late 6th and early 7th centuries .

The percussion section has the largest variety of instruments. The timpani (or “kettle drums”) can be tuned to particular notes. They are the most common percussion instrument. Composers such as Haydn and Mozart nearly always used them, even with their small orchestras.