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How to conduct an orchestra
Contributed by: Sadler
  • 1. What is the primary role of an orchestra conductor?
A) To unify and lead the orchestra's performance.
B) To tune all the instruments.
C) To play the most difficult instrument.
D) To compose all the music the orchestra plays.
  • 2. What does the baton primarily serve as?
A) A visual aid for indicating tempo and expression.
B) A light source in dimly lit venues.
C) A weapon to maintain order.
D) A decorative accessory.
  • 3. What is 'downbeat' in conducting?
A) The first beat of a measure.
B) The last beat of a measure.
C) The loudest part of the piece.
D) A rest in the music.
  • 4. What does 'cueing' refer to?
A) Choosing the repertoire.
B) Indicating when specific instruments or sections should enter.
C) Cleaning the orchestra's instruments.
D) Tuning the orchestra.
  • 5. What is the 'score'?
A) The concert hall's layout.
B) The full written music for the entire orchestra.
C) A type of orchestral composition.
D) The conductor's salary.
  • 6. Which is a common conducting pattern for 4/4 time?
A) Right, Left, Up, Down
B) Up, Down, Left, Right
C) Down, Left, Right, Up
D) Left, Right, Down, Up
  • 7. What does 'legato' mean in musical terms?
A) Short and detached.
B) Smooth and connected.
C) Fast and energetic.
D) Loud and forceful.
  • 8. What is 'staccato'?
A) Short and detached notes.
B) Long and sustained notes.
C) Loud and vibrant notes.
D) Quiet and subtle notes.
  • 9. What is 'dynamics' in music?
A) The loudness or softness of the music.
B) The rhythm of the music.
C) The key of the music.
D) The speed of the music.
  • 10. What is 'tempo'?
A) The loudness of the music.
B) The timbre of the music.
C) The pitch of the music.
D) The speed of the music.
  • 11. What does 'ritardando' mean?
A) Gradually speeding up.
B) Gradually slowing down.
C) Getting louder.
D) Suddenly stopping.
  • 12. What does 'accelerando' mean?
A) Gradually slowing down.
B) Getting softer.
C) Gradually speeding up.
D) Staying the same speed.
  • 13. What is 'articulation' in music?
A) The key signature of the music.
B) The time signature of the music.
C) How individual notes are played or sung.
D) The overall volume of the music.
  • 14. What is 'phrasing' in music?
A) The way an instrument is tuned.
B) The way the orchestra is seated.
C) The way a musician shapes a sequence of notes in performance.
D) The way a score is organized.
  • 15. What is 'balance' in an orchestra?
A) Distributing the music evenly among the players.
B) Ensuring all instrumental parts are heard in appropriate proportion.
C) Making sure the orchestra members are physically balanced on stage.
D) Ensuring that the orchestra's budget is balanced.
  • 16. What is 'blend' in an orchestra?
A) How well the sounds of different instruments combine.
B) How well the players get along personally.
C) How well the instruments are polished.
D) How similar the instruments are in appearance.
  • 17. What does 'marcato' mean?
A) Very fast.
B) Very slow.
C) Marked, accented.
D) Very quiet.
  • 18. What is a 'rehearsal' in the context of an orchestra?
A) An audition for new orchestra members.
B) A fundraising event for the orchestra.
C) A practice session before a performance.
D) A social gathering for orchestra members.
  • 19. What is the role of the concertmaster (or concertmistress)?
A) The person in charge of tuning the instruments.
B) The leader of the first violin section and second-in-command to the conductor.
C) The librarian of the orchestra.
D) The person who sells tickets to the concerts.
  • 20. What is a 'divisi' marking?
A) A marking indicating a solo passage.
B) A marking indicating a change in tempo.
C) A marking indicating a repeat of a section.
D) A marking instructing a section to divide into two or more parts.
  • 21. What is the purpose of 'conducting patterns'?
A) To give the conductor a physical workout.
B) To visually represent the beat and meter of the music.
C) To decorate the concert hall.
D) To signal secret messages to the musicians.
  • 22. What does 'fermata' mean?
A) To play the note very quietly.
B) To skip to the next section of the music.
C) To hold a note or rest longer than its written value.
D) To repeat the previous measure.
  • 23. What should a conductor consider when selecting repertoire?
A) Only pieces that are easy to conduct.
B) Only their personal favorite pieces.
C) The skill level of the orchestra, the concert theme, and audience appeal.
D) Only pieces that are very long.
  • 24. What is 'intonation'?
A) The speed of the music.
B) The volume of sound.
C) The style of the music.
D) The accuracy of pitch.
  • 25. What is the 'attack' of a note?
A) The middle of a note.
B) The end of a note.
C) The beginning of a note.
D) The sustain of a note.
  • 26. What is the 'release' of a note?
A) The middle of a note.
B) The volume of a note.
C) The ending of a note.
D) The beginning of a note.
  • 27. What is 'tutti'?
A) Only percussion instruments play.
B) Only wind instruments play.
C) Only string instruments play.
D) All instruments play together.
  • 28. What is a common way a conductor communicates their interpretation?
A) Through gestures, facial expressions, and verbal instruction.
B) Through telepathy.
C) By writing extensive notes in each player's part.
D) By playing each instrument themselves.
  • 29. What is the importance of eye contact between the conductor and the orchestra?
A) To establish a connection and communicate nuances of the music.
B) To make sure everyone is wearing the correct attire.
C) To intimidate the musicians.
D) To count the number of musicians present.
  • 30. What is a common term for a pause in the music?
A) Legato
B) Allegro
C) Caesura
D) Staccato
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