CHAPTER 11 Musical Ensembles
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. A fairly large group of singers who perform together is called a(n)
a. orchestra. c. chorus.
b. chamber ensemble. d. band.
2. The term a cappella refers to choral music performed ________ accompaniment.
a. with organ c. with piano
b. with orchestral d. without any
3. What distinguishes chamber music from orchestral music?
a. the forms of the movements
b. the number of players on each part
c. the room in which the music is being performed
d. the number of movements in the music being performed
4. What is the name for a Balinese or Javanese orchestra made up largely of gongs, drums, and xylophone-like instruments?
a. gagaku c. sitar
b. koto d. gamelan
5. Approximately two-thirds of a symphony orchestra consists of
a. woodwinds. c. brass.
b. strings. d. percussion.
6. Which instruments are traditionally placed in the front of the orchestra?
a. strings c. brass
b. woodwinds d. percussion
7. The term band refers to a
a. rock group. c. marching ensemble.
b. jazz group. d. all of the answers shown here.
8. John Philip Sousa was famous as a composer of
a. symphonies. c. piano trios.
b. string quartets. d. marches.
9. A jazz band is normally made up of ________ instruments.
a. woodwind c. percussion
b. brass d. all of the answers shown here.
10. Which meter would be conducted in a down-right-up pattern?
a. duple c. quadruple
b. triple d. sextuple
11. Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra exemplifies the forms of
a. concerto and sonata. c. variations and fugue.
b. prelude and fugue. d. variations and madrigal.
12. A choir is
a. traditionally a smaller group than a chorus.
b. often connected with a church.
c. often connected with the performance of sacred music.
d. All of the answers shown here.
13. The instrumentation for a string quartet includes
a. violin, viola, and cello. c. viola, cello, and bass.
b. violin, cello, and bass. d. violin, viola, and guitar.
14. Many conductors beat time using a thin stick known as a
a. baton. c. wand.
b. bow. d. plectrum.
15. Who composed Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra?
a. Benjamin Britten c. Johann Sebastian Bach
b. Henry Purcell d. Aaron Copland
16. The first-chair violinist is known as the
a. concertmaster. c. headmaster.
b. lead violin. d. master musician.
17. An ensemble of strings coupled with an assortment of woodwinds, brass, and percussion instruments is known as a
a. big band. c. chorus.
b. symphony orchestra. d. gamelan.
TRUE/FALSE
1. Specialized choirs that perform with organs are called a cappella ensembles.
2. Chamber music is intended for a small group of performers, with one player to a part.
3. The standard instrumentation of a string quartet is two violins, one viola, and one cello.
4. A piano trio is an ensemble of three pianos.
5. The term orchestra may be applied to various musical ensembles around the world.
6. The modern symphony orchestra is typically made up of twenty to thirty players.
7. The earliest wind and percussion groups were created for military purposes.
8. Most large musical ensembles need a conductor in order to perform together.
9. Beat 2 is the strongest in any meter.
10. Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra is based on a dance tune by Beethoven.
11. One role of the concertmaster is to standardize bowing strokes.
12. The conductor has very little to do with interpreting the music for an ensemble.
13. Band is a generic name applied to a variety of ensembles, most of which rely on winds and percussion.
14. Music performed without accompaniment is called a choir.
15. A chorus is a large body of only female singers who perform together.
ESSAY
1. Describe the principal types of musical ensembles (vocal and instrumental) and state how they differ from one another.
2. Describe the role of conductors, mentioning the elements of music for which they are responsible.
3. What is the difference between a chamber ensemble, wind band, and symphony orchestra?