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What's In An Orchestra?
Orchestras are comprised of instruments from four different sections:
Begin by learning about the whole orchestra...
An orchestra is a group of musicians playing different musical instruments under the direction of a conductor. It can be large or small, depending on the pieces that are performed.
The NAC Orchestra
The National Arts Centre Orchestra specializes in
the music of the Classical Period.
There are 50 full-time musicians and 10 regular additional musicians in
the NAC Orchestra.
That is only about one half the number of instruments in the full-sized Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal symphony orchestras. The NAC Orchestra uses additional musicians and instruments (like the piccolo, trombone, tuba, various percussion instruments, etc.) for pieces requiring a larger orchestra.
- The String Section has 10 first violins, nine second violins, six violas, five cellos, and four double basses.
- The woodwind section has two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets and two bassoons.
- The Brass Section has two trumpets and three horns.
- The Percussion Section has one timpanist.
