Chapter 11: Musical Ensembles

Chorus

A fairly large body of singers who perform together

Chior

Traditionally a smaller group often connected with a church or with the performance of sacred music

A cappella

Choral music performed solely with the voice and no accompaniment

Chamber Music

Ensemble music for a group of two to about a dozen players, with only one person per part

String Quartet

Made up of two violins, a viola and cello

Duo Sonata

Solo string, wind or percussion instrument with piano

Piano Trio/Quartet/Quintet

Made up of a piano and combination of string instruments

String Quintet

Two violins, viola, cello, and bass

Sextet

A group of six instruments

Septet

A group of seven instruments

Octet

A group of eight instruments

Orchestra

The term may be applied to any performing body of diverse instruments

Symphony Orchestra

An ensemble of strings coupled with an assortment of woodwinds, brass, and percussion instruments

Band

A generic name applied to a variety of ensembles (wind and percussion)

Wind/Concert Band

A relatively large group of brass, woodwind, and percussion players that performs in a concert hall, as distinguished from a marching band

Marching Band

Consists of the instruments from a Wind Ensemble but are used to entertain at sports events or parades

Jazz Bands

Usually includes a reed section (saxophones and occasional clarinet) a brass section (trumpets and trombones), and a rhythm section (percussion, piano, double bass, and electric guitar)

Rock Bands

Supplement amplified guitars and percussion with synthesizers and may also feature winds and brass

Baton

The stick that a conductor uses to lead the orchestra

Concertmaster

First-chair violinist