Chapter 11: Musical Ensembles

Question 1

A cappella

Answer 1

Choral music performed without instrumental accompaniment; “in the chapel”

Question 2

Chamber music

Answer 2

Ensemble music for up to about 10 players, with one player to a part

Question 3

What do standard chamber ensembles include?

Answer 3

String quartets, piano trios, and brass quintets

Question 4

String quartets

Answer 4

Chamber music ensemble consisting of two violins, a viola, and a cello; also a multimovement composition for this ensemble

Question 5

Piano trio

Answer 5

Standard chamber ensemble of a piano with a violin and cello

Question 6

Brass quintet

Answer 6

Standard chamber ensemble made up of two trumpets, horn, trombone, and tuba

Question 7

Orchestra

Answer 7

Performing group of diverse instruments in various cultures; in Western art music, an ensemble of multiple strings with various woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments; in the west, synonymous with more specific symphony orchestra

Question 8

How many players can a modern orchestra feature?

Answer 8

Over 100 players

Question 9

Wind band

Answer 9

Instrumental ensemble ranging from 40 to 80 members or more, consisting of wind and percussion instruments; also concert band

Question 10

Marching band

Answer 10

Instrumental ensemble for entertainment at sports events and parades, consisting of wind and percussion instruments, drum majors/majorettes, flag bearers, and baton twirlers

Question 11

Jazz band

Answer 11

Instrumental ensemble made up of reed (saxophones and clarinets), brass (trumpets and trombones), and rhythm sections (percussion, piano, double bass, and sometimes guitar)

Question 12

Most bands feature a core of what instruments?

Answer 12

Wind and percussion

Question 13

Conductor

Answer 13

Person who, by means of gestures, leads performances of music ensembles, especially orchestras, bands, or choruses

Question 14

Chorus

Answer 14

Fairly large group of singers who perform together, usually with several on each part; also a choral movement of a large-scale work; in jazz, a single statement of the melodic-harmonic pattern

Question 15

Choir

Answer 15

A group of singers who perform together, usually in parts, with several on each part; often associated with a church

Question 16

SATB

Answer 16

Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass; the standard voices in a chorus or choir, but may also refer to instrumental ranges

Question 17

What is the essential trait of chamber music?

Answer 17

Intimacy

Question 18

Duo sonata

Answer 18

A chamber group comprised of a soloist with a piano; in the Baroque period, a sonata for a melody instrument and basso continuo

Question 19

Piano quartet

Answer 19

Standard chamber ensemble of piano with violin, viola, and cello

Question 20

Piano quintet

Answer 20

Standard chamber ensemble of piano with string quartet (two violins, viola, cello)

Question 21

Sextet

Answer 21

Chamber music for six voices or instruments

Question 22

Septet

Answer 22

Chamber music for six voices or instruments

Question 23

Octet

Answer 23

Chamber music for eight voices or instruments

Question 24

Woodwind quintet

Answer 24

Standard chamber ensemble consisting of flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, and horn

Question 25

Gamelan

Answer 25

Musical ensemble of Java or Bali, made up of gongs, chimes, metallophones, and drums, among other instruments

Question 26

Baton

Answer 26

A thin stick, usually painted white, used by a conductor to keep time

Question 27

Fugue

Answer 27

Polyphonic form popular in the Baroque era, in which one or more themes (especially the subject) are developed by imitative counterpoint

Question 28

Which non-woodwind instrument plays in a woodwind quartet?

Answer 28

French horn

Question 29

String players depend on the conductor, or sometimes the __________, to make their ______ strokes uniform.

Answer 29

concertmaster; bowing

Question 30

Which of the following types of music are usually performed by a band?
Marches
Rock
Symphony
Jazz
Gamelan

Answer 30

Marches
Rock
Jazz

Question 31

True or False: Conductors can only beat duple, triple, and quadruple patterns.

Answer 31

False

Question 32

True or False: The strings section makes up less than half of a symphony orchestra.

Answer 32

False

Question 33

True or False: In an orchestra, brass instruments are placed near the back because they are louder.

Answer 33

True

Question 34

True or False: The conductor’s role includes interpreting the music for the group.

Answer 34

True

Question 35

Which of the following are chamber ensembles?
Orchestra
Brass quintet
Marching band
Duo sonata
Piano quintet

Answer 35

Brass quintet
Duo sonata
Piano quintet

Question 36

In “The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra,” the composer _______________ introduces the different instrument families of the modern ________.

Answer 36

Benjamin Britten; orchestra

Question 37

Which of the following instruments is not typically found in a symphony orchestra? 
Cellos
Clarinets
Timpani
Synthesizer

Answer 37

Synthesizer