Orchestra Midterm 2026

Tonic

1st step of the scale

Mediant

3rd step of the scale (makes the key sound major or minor)

Dominant

5th step of the scale

Leading Tone

7th step of the scale

arpeggio

Comprises the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 8th steps of the scale

time signature

top note in beats per measure; bottom note is type of note that gets the beat

enharmonic

notes that sound the same but are written differently

Diminuendo e rallentando

get softer and slow down

Ritardando

gradually slow down

a tempo

return to original tempo, often after rit. Or rall.

Cesura

pause

Subito

suddenly, usually with a dynamic (ex: subito p)

Divisi

play a single note of a printed cord

D.C.

return to the start

D.S.

Return to the sign

Picardy third

a major chord at the end of a minor piece, made by raising the mediant

tremolo

the rapid repetition of a note, created with a bow

trill

a rapid alternation between two notes, created with your fingers

con sordino

with a mute

Hanerot Halalu

Hebrew phrase meaning “these candles” referring to the Hanukkah menorah lights

Christmas Lullaby

english composer John Rutter

1989

Celebration for friend David Willcocks’ 70th birthday

Sleigh Ride

Leroy Anderson

During heat wave

July 1946

Woodbury, CT

Premiere May 4, 1948 w/ Arthur Fiedler by Boston Pops Orchestra at Symphony Hall in Boston

Hallelujah Chorus

1741

George Fredrick Handel

Part of oratorio Messiah

first performed in Dublin, Ireland 1700s

Oratorio

large musical composition for orchestra, choir, and soloists

Order of sharps

F C G D A E B

Order of Flats

B E A D G C F