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THE ORCHESTRA
The Symphony Orchestra
A large symphony orchestra may have over a hundred players. There are different sections in such an orchestra.
The string section has violins, violas and double basses. Have you ever seen the Soweto String Quartet playing on television? They play our national anthem, Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika , very beautifully. Their instruments are stringed instruments.
Then there is the woodwind section, with instruments like clarinets and flutes. The smallest instrument in this section is the piccolo. Piccolo is an Italian word meaning small.
The brass section has all the shiny instruments like trumpets and trombones. The huge tuba is also in this section.
Lastly, there is the percussion section where the loudest noises are made on instruments such as the drums, the gong, cymbals and so on. This is an interesting part of the orchestra, because there are many kinds of small instruments that make unusual noises.
The conductor usually uses a baton to conduct the orchestra. He keeps the beat and controls how the musicians play the music.
Look carefully at the diagram on the next page. It is a diagram of a typical symphony orchestra.
1. Now answer the questions, which follow.
a) How many sections are there in the orchestra?
There are ………………………………….. sections in an orchestra.
b) Which section is the biggest?
The …………………………………………. section is the biggest.
It has ……………………………………… players.
c) Name the different kinds of instruments found in the brass section?
……………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………….
……………………………………………………………………………….
d) To which section does the piccolo belong?
The piccolo belongs to the …………………………………….. section.
e) In which section will you find the glockenspiel?
The glockenspiel is in the ……………………………………… section.
2. Study any poster that advertises a music concert and see if you can find all the information you would need if you wanted to go to the concert advertised on it.
It will be played on ……………………… at …………………………..
The …………………………………………………… will be performing.
It will be held at …………………………………………………….
The tickets cost …………………….. for ……………………………..
and ………………………………. for ……………………………….
I can book at ……………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………
I know because ……………………………………………………………..
The learner will be able to read and view for information and enjoyment, and to respond critically to the aesthetic, cultural and emotional values in texts.
We know this when the learner:
3.4 reads media texts:
3.4.1 understands the layout and design of a poster or public notice.
Activity 1
1. a) Four
b) strings; 54
c) French horn; trumpet; trombone; tuba
e) Percussion
2. a) 26 September 2002; 19:30
b) Soweto String Quartet
d) R15 Adults; R5 scholars / Students
e) Computicket
f) No I do not.
g) They will be sold at the door.
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