How to conduct an orchestra
  • 1. What is the primary role of an orchestra conductor?
A) To compose all the music the orchestra plays.
B) To tune all the instruments.
C) To unify and lead the orchestra's performance.
D) To play the most difficult instrument.
  • 2. What does the baton primarily serve as?
A) A weapon to maintain order.
B) A decorative accessory.
C) A light source in dimly lit venues.
D) A visual aid for indicating tempo and expression.
  • 3. What is 'downbeat' in conducting?
A) The first beat of a measure.
B) The last beat of a measure.
C) A rest in the music.
D) The loudest part of the piece.
  • 4. What does 'cueing' refer to?
A) Indicating when specific instruments or sections should enter.
B) Cleaning the orchestra's instruments.
C) Choosing the repertoire.
D) Tuning the orchestra.
  • 5. What is the 'score'?
A) The full written music for the entire orchestra.
B) A type of orchestral composition.
C) The concert hall's layout.
D) The conductor's salary.
  • 6. Which is a common conducting pattern for 4/4 time?
A) Right, Left, Up, Down
B) Left, Right, Down, Up
C) Down, Left, Right, Up
D) Up, Down, Left, Right
  • 7. What does 'legato' mean in musical terms?
A) Smooth and connected.
B) Loud and forceful.
C) Short and detached.
D) Fast and energetic.
  • 8. What is 'staccato'?
A) Quiet and subtle notes.
B) Loud and vibrant notes.
C) Long and sustained notes.
D) Short and detached notes.
  • 9. What is 'dynamics' in music?
A) The speed of the music.
B) The key of the music.
C) The loudness or softness of the music.
D) The rhythm of the music.
  • 10. What is 'tempo'?
A) The timbre of the music.
B) The loudness of the music.
C) The pitch of the music.
D) The speed of the music.
  • 11. What does 'ritardando' mean?
A) Suddenly stopping.
B) Gradually slowing down.
C) Gradually speeding up.
D) Getting louder.
  • 12. What does 'accelerando' mean?
A) Staying the same speed.
B) Gradually slowing down.
C) Getting softer.
D) Gradually speeding up.
  • 13. What is 'articulation' in music?
A) The key signature of the music.
B) The time signature of the music.
C) How individual notes are played or sung.
D) The overall volume of the music.
  • 14. What is 'phrasing' in music?
A) The way the orchestra is seated.
B) The way an instrument is tuned.
C) The way a musician shapes a sequence of notes in performance.
D) The way a score is organized.
  • 15. What is 'balance' in an orchestra?
A) Ensuring all instrumental parts are heard in appropriate proportion.
B) Making sure the orchestra members are physically balanced on stage.
C) Distributing the music evenly among the players.
D) Ensuring that the orchestra's budget is balanced.
  • 16. What is 'blend' in an orchestra?
A) How similar the instruments are in appearance.
B) How well the instruments are polished.
C) How well the players get along personally.
D) How well the sounds of different instruments combine.
  • 17. What does 'marcato' mean?
A) Marked, accented.
B) Very fast.
C) Very slow.
D) Very quiet.
  • 18. What is a 'rehearsal' in the context of an orchestra?
A) A social gathering for orchestra members.
B) A fundraising event for the orchestra.
C) A practice session before a performance.
D) An audition for new orchestra members.
  • 19. What is the role of the concertmaster (or concertmistress)?
A) The person in charge of tuning the instruments.
B) The librarian of the orchestra.
C) The person who sells tickets to the concerts.
D) The leader of the first violin section and second-in-command to the conductor.
  • 20. What is a 'divisi' marking?
A) A marking instructing a section to divide into two or more parts.
B) A marking indicating a change in tempo.
C) A marking indicating a repeat of a section.
D) A marking indicating a solo passage.
  • 21. What is the purpose of 'conducting patterns'?
A) To visually represent the beat and meter of the music.
B) To decorate the concert hall.
C) To give the conductor a physical workout.
D) To signal secret messages to the musicians.
  • 22. What does 'fermata' mean?
A) To hold a note or rest longer than its written value.
B) To repeat the previous measure.
C) To skip to the next section of the music.
D) To play the note very quietly.
  • 23. What should a conductor consider when selecting repertoire?
A) The skill level of the orchestra, the concert theme, and audience appeal.
B) Only pieces that are easy to conduct.
C) Only pieces that are very long.
D) Only their personal favorite pieces.
  • 24. What is 'intonation'?
A) The volume of sound.
B) The style of the music.
C) The accuracy of pitch.
D) The speed of the music.
  • 25. What is the 'attack' of a note?
A) The end of a note.
B) The beginning of a note.
C) The sustain of a note.
D) The middle of a note.
  • 26. What is the 'release' of a note?
A) The middle of a note.
B) The volume of a note.
C) The ending of a note.
D) The beginning of a note.
  • 27. What is 'tutti'?
A) All instruments play together.
B) Only wind instruments play.
C) Only string instruments play.
D) Only percussion instruments play.
  • 28. What is a common way a conductor communicates their interpretation?
A) By writing extensive notes in each player's part.
B) Through gestures, facial expressions, and verbal instruction.
C) By playing each instrument themselves.
D) Through telepathy.
  • 29. What is the importance of eye contact between the conductor and the orchestra?
A) To establish a connection and communicate nuances of the music.
B) To make sure everyone is wearing the correct attire.
C) To count the number of musicians present.
D) To intimidate the musicians.
  • 30. What is a common term for a pause in the music?
A) Caesura
B) Allegro
C) Legato
D) Staccato
Created with That Quiz — the math test generation site with resources for other subject areas.