How many clarinets in a symphony orchestra

The orchestra grew throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, but then changed very little in composition during the course of the 20th century. A smaller-sized orchestra forty to fifty musicians or fewer is called a chamber orchestra. A full-size orchestra eighty to one hundred musicians or more may be called a symphony orchestra. A philharmonic orchestra does not indicate any difference from a symphony 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.

The instrumentation requirements of orchestras became somewhat standardized in the Classical Period — , based on the compositional habits of the most prominent composers of the period Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven , which were in turn largely influenced by the possibilities of the instruments available to them.

A modern full-scale symphony orchestra consists of approximately one hundred permanent musicians, most often distributed as follows: 16—18 1st violins, 16 2nd violins, 12 violas, 12 cellos, 8 double basses, 4 flutes one with piccolo as a specialty , 4 oboes one with English horn as a specialty , 4 clarinets one with bass clarinet as a specialty, another specializing in high clarinets , 4 bassoons one with double bassoon as a specialty.

In theory, all woodwind players are expected to be able to play all auxiliary instruments in addition to their main instrument. Furthermore 5—8 horns, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones one with bass trombone as a specialty , 1 tuba, 1 kettledrum player, 3—4 percussionists of whom at least one must also play kettledrum , 1—2 harps and a keyboard player piano, celesta, harpsichord, etc.

Musicians mastering instruments such as saxophone, guitar, bass oboe heckelphone , ondes martenot, synthesizer, etc. Similarly, extra players are engaged when a score calls for extended brass, percussion, etc. Every instrumental section in the orchestra has a leader often referred to as a principal who leads the group and plays solo when this is required, for example flute solo, horn solo, cello solo or trumpet solo.

The leader of the 1st violins is called concertmaster and is in charge of the overall leadership of the entire string section. Musicians are recruited based on competitive auditions today usually behind a screen for specific positions, e.

The principal conductor takes part in the final selection. Permanent employment will normally require a test period, usually from six months to one year, after which a player with a permanent position can be dismissed only according to strict union agreements and internal rules[1]. In the next row here, as in the following, from left to right horns, clarinets, bassoons and trumpets, and in front of this flutes and oboes. The two groups of violins are placed to the left of the conductor in a triangle divided by a degree line, so that some 1st violins sit along the edge of the stage, facing the audience.

Violas are placed in front of the conductor, sometimes a bit to the right. Piano, celesta and harp are placed to the left, behind the violins, frequently in line with flutes and oboes. When stage conditions or other circumstances allow, the layout may have the shape of a fan.

Percussion occupies the whole back row, still with kettledrums in the middle, followed by horns, trombones and trumpets in the next row, then clarinets and bassoons, and in front just behind the violas flutes and oboes. If the stage has the shape of a half circle, certain modifications may be required.

The violins are divided into two groups, first violin and second violin, and therefore have two principals. The principal first violin is called the concertmaster or leader and is considered the leader of not only the string section but of the entire orchestra, subordinate only to the conductor.

It is interesting to note that the French horn, while technically a brass instrument, often acts in the role of both woodwind and brass. Jackson has been privileged for the last 68 years to have a professional symphony orchestra. The difference between a community and professional orchestra is that in a community orchestra the musicians are amateurs and not paid.

In a professional orchestra, the musicians are working musicians who are paid for performing. The JSO is a symphony orchestra due to the number of musicians we employ. Leave a Comment Cancel Comment All fields are required. Your email address will not be published. Newsletter Subscription. Contact Us.