What is an Orchestra?

Question: What is an Orchestra?

Answer: 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. Often the orchestra is composed of 100 musicians and may be accompanied by a chorus or be purely instrumental. In today's setting, the word "orchestra" not only pertains to a group of musicians but also to the main floor of a theater.

An example of early music pieces for modern day symphony orchestras is evident in the works of Claudio Monteverdi, specifically his opera Orfeo.

The Mannhein School, composed of musicians in Mannheim, Germany, was founded by Johann Stamitz during the 18th century. Stamitz, along with other composers, cited that there are four sections of the modern day orchestra:

Musical Instruments of the Orchestra

• strings (cellos, double bass, violas, first and second violins)
  
• brass (trumpets, horns)
  
• woodwinds (bassoons, clarinets, oboes, flutes)
  
• percussion (timpani)

During the 19th century more instruments were added to the orchestra including the trombone and tuba. Some composers created music pieces which needed orchestras that were very large in size. However, in the late 20th century composers opted for smaller sized orchestras such as chamber orchestras.

The Conductor

Composers play many different roles, they can be performers, songwriters, educators or conductors. Conducting is more than just waving a baton with a flourish. A conductor's job may look easy, but in reality it's one of the most-demanding and highly competitive fields in music. Here are several resources that explores the role of conductors as well as profiles of well-respected conductors in history.

• Music Career Profile - The Conductor
  
• Well-Known Conductors of the Past

Notable Composers for the Orchestra

• Hector Berlioz
  
• Richard Strauss
  
• Igor Stravinsky
  
• Richard Wagner
  
• Gustav Mahler

Orchestras on the Web

• Boston Symphony Orchestra
  
• Chicago Symphony Orchestra
  
• London Symphony Orchestra
  
• Los Angeles Philharmonic Association
  
• Montreal Symphony Orchestra
  
• New York Philharmonic
  
• Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
  
• Singapore Symphony Orchestra

Know of other orchestras that should be on this list? Email it to musiced.guide@about.com.