The JSO’s season begins July 1 and ends June 30th. On average our concerts consists of approximately 60 musicians. The JSO is a symphony orchestra due to the number of musicians we employ. In a professional orchestra, the musicians are working musicians who are paid for performing. The difference between a community and professional orchestra is that in a community orchestra the musicians are amateurs and not paid. Jackson has been privileged for the last 68 years to have a professional symphony orchestra. It is interesting to note that the French horn, while technically a brass instrument, often acts in the role of both woodwind and brass. 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. The violins are divided into two groups, first violin and second violin, and therefore have two principals. Every instrumental group (or section) has a principal who is responsible for leading the group and playing solos. Among the instrument families and within each group of instruments, there is an accepted hierarchy. Conductors stand and still do, on a podium in the middle of the orchestra so they can be seen by all the musicians. As orchestras grew, musicians could no longer see the concertmaster and conductors were introduced. During this period, the concertmaster or first chair violinist would lead the performance from their chair. Composers, for the first time, began writing for specific combinations of instruments. During Mozart’s time, around 1770, orchestras underwent a dramatic change. However, only during the last 400 years have musicians begun to form groups that are known today as orchestras. The origins of orchestras date back to Ancient Egypt. People have been assembling different combinations of instruments for thousands and thousands of years. The term orchestra derives from the Greek name for the semi-circular area in front of the ancient Greek stage reserved for the chorus in theatrical presentations. A large orchestra (more than forty players), is referred to as a symphony orchestra. Orchestras which use fewer performers (forty players or less) are commonly known as chamber orchestras. Brass instruments are made up of French horn, trumpet, trombone and tuba. Percussion instruments include timpani, snare drum, bass drum, cymbals, triangle, celesta and piano. String instruments include harp, violin, viola, cello, and double bass. Wind instruments include flute, oboe, clarinet and bassoons. A Symphony Orchestra is defined as a large ensemble composed of wind, string, brass and percussion instruments and organized to perform classical music.
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