Musicians and Performance

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Word Menu > Arts and Leisure > Performing Arts > Classical Music > Musicians and Performance

absolute pitch - ability to sing or name a single isolated note out of context
accompanist - single instrumentalist, usu. pianist, who plays for dancer or singer
baton - conductor’s light rod, used to keep time
beat - tempo indicated by conductor to musicians and singers
bowing - act or art of playing notes on stringed instrument with down or up motion of bow
chamber orchestra - small ensemble for performing chamber music
choirmaster - director of choral group
collegium musicum - group of usu. amateur musicians who meet to perform old or obscure music, often at a university
coloration - subtle variation in intensity or tone by performers
composer - person who creates and writes down musical compositions
concert - live performance of music before audience
concertmaster - assistant to orchestra conductor; first violinist of orchestra
conductor - leader of orchestra
consort - ensemble of singers and instrumentalists
ensemble - several musicians who perform together
improvisation - composition of music while performing
instrumentalist - performer on specific instrument
maestro - respected conductor, orchestra leader, or composer
musicality - sensitivity to and aptitude for music
music director - creative director of a group of performers
musician - composer, conductor, or instrumental performer
orchestra - large group of musicians performing on many instruments of all sorts, usu. over 100 members
philharmonic - symphony orchestra
pit - sunken area in front of stage in which orchestra sits during opera or ballet performance
pitch pipe - small reed pipe used to tune instruments or establish pitch for singer
player - instrumental performer
program - printed information about compositions and performers, handed out to audience; sequence of compositions to be performed
quartet - ensemble of four instruments or singers, esp. string quartet
recital - concert given by individual performer
score - written copy of composition with all parts arranged on staves, used during performance
sheet music - printed copy of composition
sight-read - (vb) play or sing written music on sight without rehearsal
sinfonietta - small orchestra, often composed solely of stringed instruments
string quartet - ensemble of two violins, viola, and cello
symphony - full orchestra
touch - musician’s innate feel for instrument
tuning - adjusting pitch of instrument
virtuoso - performer with great technical skill and artistry