The Orchestra

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. The instruments in a modern orchestra are divided up into sections - for instance the violins and cellos are part of the "string" section. How many sections are there in total? Three Six Five Four

2. Occasionally a piano is added to the orchestra. In which section would it be placed? Percussion It forms it's own "keyboard" section Strings None, as it is not an official orchestral instrument

3. Which of the following is not a valid member of the percussion section? Wind chimes Tom Tom Sand drum Crotales

4. During the Baroque period (up to around the time of J.S. Bach), how would an orchestra normally be controlled? A pendulum would be used to indicate the correct speed A drum was used to beat a constant speed There was no conductor - the group would be self-regulating There was a keyboard player who would also beat time

5. Over the centuries, not only has the orchestra grown in size, but also the number of different instruments used in an orchestra has increased. When was the trombone first used for a symphony? Schumann's First Symphony (1841) Haydn's Surprise Symphony (1791) Beethoven's Fifth Symphony (1808) Berlioz' Symphonie Fantastique (1830)

6. In 1946 a young British composer wrote a piece of music called "A Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra" which introduced the various instruments of the orchestra. Who was the composer? Ralph Vaughan Williams William Walton Benjamin Britten Eric Coates

7. Which orchestra claims to be the world's oldest? Orchestre National de France The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra The Royal Danish Orchestra The Halle Orchestra

8. From what language is the word "orchestra" derived, and what does it mean? Latin: "musical theatre" Greek: "dancing place" Hebrew: "sacred music" Norman French: "golden harp"

9. Referring to the normal layout of a modern symphony orchestra: which group of players sits immediately in front of the conductor? First Violins Violas Clarinets Cellos

10. On 15th May 2000 the world's largest orchestra (at that time) was assembled in B.C. Place, Vancouver. How many instrumentalists joined the Vancouver Symphony orchestra for the event? 23,100 1,900 6,400 10,200