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All About Orchestras Trivia Quiz

A quiz about all things related to an orchestra including how it is laid out in a concert hall. Note that the questions are based on the view of the person directing the orchestra, who will be facing the musicians.

A multiple-choice quiz by JJMcGiver. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
JJMcGiver

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
396,656

Updated
Oct 17 24

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Easy

Avg Score
8 / 10

Plays
460

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What is the name given to the person who directs the orchestra? Hint

commander

the head honcho

controller

conductor

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Question 2 of 10

2. After bowing to the audience, as the orchestra's director, you turn around and face the orchestra.

You are about to get start the music....what do you do to get your orchestra's attention? Hint

you tap your baton on the music stand

you say "OK, lets go!"

you shout "Oi, are you ready?"

you cough politely

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. What would you most likely be wearing as the director of an orchestra? Hint

in your birthday suit

grunge gear

formal attire

shorts and t-shirt

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Question 4 of 10

4. Who would you be looking at if, as the orchestra's director, you looked at the 'front row' of the orchestra in front of you? Hint

woodwind section

strings section

percussion

brass section

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Question 5 of 10

5. Looking at the orchestra as its director, which musicians would you find behind the viola section your left hand side? Hint

Flutes and clarinets

French horns and trumpets

Pianoforte

Percussion

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Question 6 of 10

6. If you were looking at the orchestra as its director, what instruments would the musicians behind the woodwind section be playing? Hint

harp

drums and cymbals

brass instruments

pianoforte

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Question 7 of 10

7. Which of these instruments would not be found in the percussion section of an orchestra? Hint

cornet

tubular bells

xylophone

drum

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Question 8 of 10

8. The pianoforte, or grand piano, would normally be found on the left hand side at the back of the orchestra. In what section of the orchestra would the piano normally be found? Hint

brass

stringed

percussion

woodwind

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Question 9 of 10

9. What is the angelic instrument that can sometimes found on the left hand side of the orchestra? Hint

church organ

lyre

harp

accordian

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Question 10 of 10

10. I am generally in awe of people who direct an orchestra. Do they need to be able to read music?

Yes

Most Recent Scores

Oct 17 2024 : Guest 76: 3/10
Sep 25 2024 : BayRoan: 9/10

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What is the name given to the person who directs the orchestra?

Answer: conductor

An orchestra is managed by the conductor, who is responsible for the way in which the piece of music is interpreted and played.

2. After bowing to the audience, as the orchestra's director, you turn around and face the orchestra. You are about to get start the music....what do you do to get your orchestra's attention?

Answer: you tap your baton on the music stand

You get the orchestra's attention by tapping your baton a number of times on the lectern or music stand. The musicians will know that this means that the music is about to start and they will ready their instruments in preparation to play.

3. What would you most likely be wearing as the director of an orchestra?

Answer: formal attire

Conductors can be men or women. Normally, top conductors wear their best bib and tucker which is based on a formal suit which for men would be a white tie and tails or for a woman might be a formal gown or dress.

4. Who would you be looking at if, as the orchestra's director, you looked at the 'front row' of the orchestra in front of you?

Answer: strings section

From left to right, you would have the string section in front of you. Starting with 1st violins, 2nd violins, violas right in front of you, and then on your right hand side cellos with the double basses behind them.

5. Looking at the orchestra as its director, which musicians would you find behind the viola section your left hand side?

Answer: Flutes and clarinets

The flutes and clarinets are part of the woodwind section. On their right hand side you would find the bassoons and oboes which complete the woodwind section.

6. If you were looking at the orchestra as its director, what instruments would the musicians behind the woodwind section be playing?

Answer: brass instruments

You would find the brass section just in front of the percussion section. The brass section is made up of musicians playing French horns, trumpets, trombones and the tuba.

7. Which of these instruments would not be found in the percussion section of an orchestra?

Answer: cornet

The cornet is actually a brass instrument similar to the trumpet but distinguished from it by its conical bore, more compact shape, and mellower tone quality.

All of the other instruments can be found in the percussion section.

8. The pianoforte, or grand piano, would normally be found on the left hand side at the back of the orchestra. In what section of the orchestra would the piano normally be found?

Answer: percussion

Whilst the piano is a stringed instrument, because the strings are hit with hammers, it is actually a percussion instrument. Indeed, the piano has more strings than any other string instrument, which produce its distinctive sound.

9. What is the angelic instrument that can sometimes found on the left hand side of the orchestra?

Answer: harp

When a harp is required to be part of the orchestra, it is positioned on the left hand side just behind the violins and violas.

10. I am generally in awe of people who direct an orchestra. Do they need to be able to read music?

Answer: Yes

The conductor does indeed need to be able to read music so that they can make sure that the orchestra is doing what it should doing at the right time.

If you get the chance, go and see a live orchestra... it's a truly amazing thing to see in action and an experience you are unlikely to forget.

Source: Author JJMcGiver

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor NatalieW before going online.
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