An orchestra is a musical ensemble used most often in classical music. A small orchestra (about forty players) is called a chamber orchestra.

A full size orchestra (about 104 players) may sometimes be called a "symphony orchestra" or "philharmonic orchestra"; these prefixes do not necessarily indicate any strict difference in either the instrumental constitution or role of the orchestra, but can be useful to distinguish different ensembles based in the same city (for instance, the London Symphony Orchestra and the London Philharmonic Orchestra). A symphony orchestra will usually have over eighty musicians on its roster, in some cases over a hundred, but the actual number of musicians employed in a particular performance may vary according to the work being played, and the size of the venue. A leading chamber orchestra might employ as many as fifty members; some are much smaller than that.

Instrumentation and proportions

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The typical symphony orchestra consists of four proportionate groups of similar musical instruments, generally appearing in the musical score in the following order (with proportions indicated):

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@sassclops @horngirl Hehe, not sure about that. I know adoption of valved horns was slow, so maybe orchestras only had 2 hornists w/ valves?
hornsolo (Jim Riesen) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:34:02 -0000
@sassclops @horngirl Hehe, not sure about that. I know adoption of valved horns was slow, so maybe orchestras only had 2 hornists w/ valves?
Who says symphony orchestras can't survive? Not without adapting. Columbus Symphony CEO Rolland Valliere http://cli.gs/y526V
dtclarinet (David H Thomas) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:27:33 -0000
Who says symphony orchestras can't survive? Not without adapting. Columbus Symphony CEO Rolland Valliere http://cli.gs/y526V
@MaggiZ Hehe, without appreciators orchestras would be infinitely less popular! I am in an orchestra which rehearses a few times a year :)
MusicalLottie (Charlotte Edmonds) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:08:53 -0000
@MaggiZ Hehe, without appreciators orchestras would be infinitely less popular! I am in an orchestra which rehearses a few times a year :)
Vintage Dance Orchestras Nº 68 - EPs Collectors "The Door, Señor" の Edmundo Ros and His Orchestra http://bit.ly/n9cos
JSmach_feeds (k_k_RSS) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:37:24 -0000
Vintage Dance Orchestras Nº 68 - EPs Collectors "The Door, Señor" の Edmundo Ros and His Orchestra http://bit.ly/n9cos
FIU music professor nominated for a Latin Grammy: Several distinguished soloists, ensembles and orchestras have.. http://bit.ly/3WmqCW
EnterSuccess (Candice Nicholson) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:23:42 -0000
FIU music professor nominated for a Latin Grammy: Several distinguished soloists, ensembles and orchestras have.. http://bit.ly/3WmqCW
New world album (release): "Legendary Orchestras Of Cuba" by Various Artists - http://moozone.com/album/MNID33004221
moozone (moozone) Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:28:10 -0000
New world album (release): "Legendary Orchestras Of Cuba" by Various Artists - http://moozone.com/album/MNID33004221

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