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? Four Five Three Six

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

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

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

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? Haydn's Surprise Symphony (1791) Beethoven's Fifth Symphony (1808) Berlioz' Symphonie Fantastique (1830) Schumann's First Symphony (1841)

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? The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Orchestre National de France The Halle Orchestra The Royal Danish 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 Cellos Clarinets Violas

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? 1,900 6,400 10,200 23,100