Types of orchestras. What are the types of orchestras according to the composition of instruments?

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

An orchestra is a group of musicians who play various instruments. But it should not be confused with the ensemble. This article will tell you what types of orchestras are. And their compositions of musical instruments will also be consecrated.

Varieties of orchestras

An orchestra differs from an ensemble in that in the first case, the same instruments are combined into groups playing in unison, that is, one common melody. And in the second case, each musician is a soloist - he plays his part. "Orchestra" is a Greek word and translates as "dance floor". It was located between the stage and the audience. The choir was located on this site. Then it became similar to modern orchestra pits. And over time, musicians began to settle down there. And the name "orchestra" went to groups of instrumental performers.

Types of orchestras:

• Symphonic.
• String.
• Wind.
• Jazz.
• Various.
• Orchestra of folk instruments.
• Military.
• School.

The composition of instruments of different types of orchestra is strictly defined. Symphonicconsists of a group of strings, percussion and brass. String and brass bands are made up of instruments corresponding to their names. Jazz can have a different composition. The variety orchestra consists of wind, string, percussion, keyboard and electric musical instruments.

Varieties of choirs

Choir is a large ensemble of singers. There must be at least 12 artists. In most cases, choirs perform accompanied by orchestras. Types of orchestras and choirs are different. There are several classifications. First of all, the choirs are divided into types according to their composition of voices. It can be: women's, men's, mixed, children's, as well as boys' choirs. According to the manner of performance, folk and academic are distinguished.

And also choirs are classified by the number of performers:

• 12-20 people - vocal-choir ensemble.
• 20-50 artists - chamber choir.
• 40-70 singers - medium.
• 70-120 members - big choir.
• Up to 1000 artists - consolidated (from several groups).

According to their status, choirs are divided into: educational, professional, amateur, church.

Symphony Orchestra

Not all types of orchestras include bowed string instruments. This group includes: violins, cellos, violas, double basses. One of the orchestras, which includes a string-bow family, is a symphony one. It consists of several different groups of musical instruments. Today, there are two types of symphony orchestras: small and large. The first of them has a classical composition: 2 flutes, the same number of bassoons, clarinets, oboes, trumpets and horns, no more than 20 strings, occasionally timpani.

A large symphony orchestra can be of any composition. It can include 60 or more string instruments, tubas, up to 5 trombones of different timbres and 5 trumpets, up to 8 horns, up to 5 flutes, as well as oboes, clarinets and bassoons. It may also include such varieties from the wind group as oboe d'amore, piccolo flute, contrabassoon, cor anglais, saxophones of all types. It can include a huge number of percussion instruments. Often a large symphony orchestra includes an organ, piano, harpsichord and harp.

Brass band

Practically all types of orchestras include a family of wind instruments. This group includes two varieties: copper and wood. Some types of bands consist only of brass and percussion instruments, such as brass and military bands. In the first variety, the main role belongs to cornets, bugles of various types, tubas, baritone-euphoniums. Secondary instruments: trombones, trumpets, horns, flutes, saxophones, clarinets, oboes, bassoons. If the brass band is large, then, as a rule, all the instruments in it increase in quantity. Very rarely harps and keyboards may be added.

The repertoire of brass bands includes:

• Marches.
• Ballroom European dancing.
• Opera arias.
• Symphony.
• Concerts.

Brass bands perform most often in open street areas or accompany the procession, as they sound very powerful and bright.

Folk Orchestra

Their repertoire includes mostly folk compositions. What is their instrumental composition? Each nation has its own. For example, an orchestra of Russian folk instruments includes: balalaikas, gusli, domra, zhaleika, whistles, button accordions, rattles and so on.

Military band

The types of orchestras consisting of wind and percussion instruments have already been listed above. There is another variety that includes these two groups. These are military bands. They serve to voice military rituals, solemn ceremonies, as well as to participate in concerts. Military bands are of two types. Some consist of percussion instruments and brass instruments. They are called homogeneous. The second type is mixed military bands, which, among other things, include a woodwind group.