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