LARISSA BROOKS
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Private Lessons
    • Studio Resources
    • Practice Tips
  • Booking
  • Contact
  • Performances
  • Store

Defined: Orchestra

1/23/2017

0 Comments

 
The origin and definition of words can change over time and have differing meanings. The word orchestra is an example of this. Orchestra as I typically use the word refers to a group of musicians playing together. Below is Merriam-Webster's definition of the word and a bit of its history.

Orchestra: Noun
Origin and Etymology:
Latin, from Greek orchēstra, , from orcheisthai to dance; perhaps akin to Sanskrit ṛghāyati he trembles, he rages.
First Known Use: 1606

Picture
Definition:

1a :  the circular space used by the chorus in front of the proscenium in an ancient Greek theater
b :  a corresponding semicircular space in a Roman theater used for seating important persons


2a :  the space in front of the stage in a modern theater that is used by an orchestra
b :  the forward section of seats on the main floor of a theaterc :  the main floor of a theater

3 :  a group of musicians including especially string players organized to perform ensemble music — compare band.

History of Orchestra

"In ancient Greek plays the chorus danced and sang in a space in front of the stage. The Greek name for this space was orchēstra, which came from the verb orcheisthai, “to dance.” The English word orchestra came from the Greek word for the space in front of a stage. At first the English word was used to refer to such a space but is now used to mean “the front part of the main floor.” In today's theaters a group of musicians often sits in the space in front of the stage. Such a group, too, came to be called an orchestra."



Source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orchestra
0 Comments

    Author

    Larissa Brooks

    Follow my studio blog for tips, tricks, & performance updates.
    Picture

    Blog Categories

    All
    Defined
    Group Class
    Instrument Selection
    Larissa's Adventures
    Lessons
    Music In Society Discussions
    Note Reading
    Performances
    Practice
    Recitals
    Rhythm
    Scales
    String Selection
    Student Shoutout
    Studio Sense
    Survey
    Theory Thursday
    Top 10
    Vibrato
    Violin Care

    Archives

    November 2022
    July 2022
    April 2022
    December 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014

    RSS Feed

    Picture

Contact me Here Or visit my linkedin profile below.


Larissa Brooks © 2022

Homepage Photograph & Headshot: Ruth Vanden Bos - Ruth.H.Photography
Blog Photography: Larissa Fall

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Private Lessons
    • Studio Resources
    • Practice Tips
  • Booking
  • Contact
  • Performances
  • Store