Milton Sandyka

XI TKJ 1 / 21
Orchestra

An orchestra is a large instrumental ensemble, often used in classical music, that contains
sections of string (violin, viola, cello and doublebass), brass, woodwind, and percussion
instruments. Other instruments such as the piano and celesta may sometimes be grouped into a fifth
section such as a keyboard section or may stand alone. The orchestra grew by accretion throughout
the 18th and 19th centuries, but changed very little in composition during the course of the 20th
century.
A smaller-sized orchestra for this time period (of about fifty musicians or fewer) is called a
chamber orchestra. A full-size orchestra (about 70-100 musicians) may sometimes be called a
symphony orchestra or philharmonic orchestra these modifiers do not necessarily indicate any strict
difference in either the instrumental constitution or role of the orchestra, but can be useful to
distinguish different ensembles based in the same city (for instance, the London Symphony
Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Orchestra). A symphony orchestra will usually have over
eighty musicians on its roster, in some cases over a hundred, but the actual number of musicians
employed in a particular performance may vary according to the work being played and the size of
the venue. A leading chamber orchestra might employ as many as fifty musicians; some are much
smaller than that.
Among the instrument groups and within each group of instruments, there is a generally
accepted hierarchy. Every instrumental group (or section) has a principal who is generally
responsible for leading the group and playing orchestral solos. The violins are divided into two
groups, first violin and second violin, with the second violins playing with lower registers than the
first violins. The principal first violin is called the concertmaster (or "leader" in the UK) and is not
only considered the leader of the string section, but the second-in-command of the entire orchestra,
behind only the conductor. The principal trombone is considered the leader of the low brass section,
while the principal trumpet is generally considered the leader of the entire brass section.
Orchestras are usually led by a conductor who directs the performance by way of visible
gestures. The conductor unifies the orchestra, sets the tempo and shapes the sound of the ensemble.
Orchestras play a wide range of repertoire, including symphonies, overtures, concertos, and music
for operas and ballets.
 Milton Sandyka
XI TKJ 1 / 21
Orchestra
General Structure Identification
Paragraph General Structure Text

An orchestra is a large instrumental ensemble, often used in

classical music, that contains sections of string (violin, viola, cello
and doublebass), brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments.
General Other instruments such as the piano and celesta may sometimes be
I
Classification grouped into a fifth section such as a keyboard section or may
stand alone. The orchestra grew by accretion throughout the 18th
and 19th centuries, but changed very little in composition during
the course of the 20th century.

A smaller-sized orchestra for this time period (of about fifty

musicians or fewer) is called a chamber orchestra. A full-size
orchestra (about 70-100 musicians) may sometimes be called a
symphony orchestra or philharmonic orchestra these modifiers do
not necessarily indicate any strict difference in either the
instrumental constitution or role of the orchestra, but can be useful
Parts and to distinguish different ensembles based in the same city (for
II
Functions instance, the London Symphony Orchestra and the London
Philharmonic Orchestra). A symphony orchestra will usually have
over eighty musicians on its roster, in some cases over a hundred,
but the actual number of musicians employed in a particular
performance may vary according to the work being played and the
size of the venue. A leading chamber orchestra might employ as
many as fifty musicians; some are much smaller than that.

Among the instrument groups and within each group of

instruments, there is a generally accepted hierarchy. Every
instrumental group (or section) has a principal who is generally
responsible for leading the group and playing orchestral solos. The
violins are divided into two groups, first violin and second violin,
Parts and with the second violins playing with lower registers than the first
III
Functions violins. The principal first violin is called the concertmaster (or
"leader" in the UK) and is not only considered the leader of the
string section, but the second-in-command of the entire orchestra,
behind only the conductor. The principal trombone is considered
the leader of the low brass section, while the principal trumpet is
generally considered the leader of the entire brass section.

Orchestras are usually led by a conductor who directs the

performance by way of visible gestures. The conductor unifies the
Parts and
IV orchestra, sets the tempo and shapes the sound of the ensemble.
Functions
Orchestras play a wide range of repertoire, including symphonies,
overtures, concertos, and music for operas and ballets.