Orchestra Exam

Fall Semester 2025

diatonic chord progression

• the first chord in the key is the TONIC

• the strongest “pull” toward the TONIC is the fifth chord (V) also known as DOMINANT

MEMORIZE THIS CHART

Triplet

3 notes in the space of 2

Ostinato

repeated non-melodic material for texture

relative minor

the same minor scale that shares same KEY signature

Enharmonics

notes that are written differently but sound the same

Facts about Bach

• Worked as court musician, Choirmaster and Church Organist

• Had a total of TWENTY children (not all survived to adulthood)

• Composed over 1000 pieces!

• Signed many works “Soli Deo Gloria,” which means “For God’s glory alone.”

Tonicization

when a composer adds accidentals to a piece to temporarily change the key

EARTH, AS SEEN FROM ABOVE (COMPOSER)

• Meredith MONK

EARTH, AS SEEN FROM ABOVE (KEY SIGNATURES)

• Bb Major

• F# Major

• E Major

• F Major

THE VIEW FROM HUBBLE (COMPOSER)

Carold NUNEZ

THE VIEW FROM HUBBLE (KEY SIGNATURES)

• A minor

JUPITER (COMPOSER)

Gustav HOLST

JUPITER (KEY SIGNATURES )

• C major

• Eb major

STAR TREK (COMPOSER)

Jerry GOLDSMITH

STAR TREK (KEY SIGNATURES)

• D major

WICKED (COMPOSER)

Stephen SCHWARTZ

WICKED (KEY SIGNATURES)

• A minor

• G major

• A major

• D major

• E major

MARS (COMPOSER)

Gustav HOLST

MARS (KEY SIGNATURES)

• C Major

BRANDENBURG CONCERTO 3 (COMPOSER)

J.S BACH

BRANDENBURG CONCERTO 3 (KEY SIGNATURES)

• G major

WHITE CHRISTMAS (COMPOSER)

Irving BERLIN

WHITE CHRISTMAS (KEY SIGNATURES)

• D Major

• G Major

LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH (COMPOSER)

Sy MILLER

LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH (KEY SIGNATURES)

• C Major

CHRISTMAS EVE SARAJEVO 12/24 (COMPOSER)

Paul O’NEILL/Robert KINKEL

CHRISTMAS EVE SARAJEVO 12/24 (KEY SIGNATURES)

• E minor

DO use your ears for:

• Balance

• Blend

• Intonation

• Style

DON’T use your ears for:

• when to start and stop

• how fast or slow to play

• rhythms