Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a Chamber Orchestra?
A chamber orchestra performs orchestral works on an intimate scale, tracing its roots back to the baroque and classical periods where composers wrote for performances in palace chambers and cathedrals. Over the past four centuries – from the era of Bach, Handel, and Mozart to modern times – great composers have written many masterworks especially for chamber orchestra, where the subtleties and nuances in the music can be beautifully revealed.
A modern chamber orchestra, such as ours in Evergreen, is comprised of up to around 45 to 50 musicians, representing all the instruments found in a full symphonic orchestra: violins, violas, cellos, french horns, oboes, clarinets, flutes, bassoons, trumpets, trombones, tympani and percussion. Instrumental and vocal soloists frequently appear with the orchestra. The Evergreen Chamber Orchestra's own harpsichord is also added for certain special performances, as are other instruments such as piano, harp, and even saxophone, accordion and jazz drum sets! It all depends upon the music, which is innovative and varied, ranging from sublimely beautiful to just plain fun.
2. What is the difference between an Evergreen Chamber Orchestra "Concert" and a "Recital."
An Evergreen Chamber Orchestra Concert is a performance by our full orchestra under the baton of our Music Director and Principal Conductor, Dr. William Morse. Our concerts take place at Rockland Community Church near Genesee, at the Evergreen High School (for the Mountain Area Orchestra Festival) and at the Evergreen Lake House (for the Concert for Young Persons). Dr. Morse selects the musical program and conducts the rehearsals and performances. Guest artists and ECO musician soloists, are also selected by Dr. Morse for performances that complement and enhance the orchestral works.
An Evergreen Chamber Orchestra Recital is presented by ensembles of orchestra musicians who rehearse individually and audition for the opportunity to perform. Our recitals take place in private mountain area homes or at the Center for the Arts Evergreen, near Buchanan Park in Evergreen. The musicians select their music and are professionally coached by Gregory Dufford.
3. What should I wear?
People come to Evergreen Chamber Orchestra concerts and recitals in all kinds of attire. Some people like to get "dressed up" for a concert, others come more casually. The truth is - the best way to dress for a concert is the way in which you will enjoy it the most (without being a distraction to others, of course.)
4. What if I arrive late or have to leave early?
If you have to arrive after the performance has begun or leave before it is finished, we understand. However, in order not to distract the audience and the performers, it is preferable to enter or leave at the conclusion of one of the selections (or, if necessary, during a break between movements).
Our concerts should stimulate thoughts and comments. Remember, however, to reserve your conversation for the conclusion of the musical selection so that you don't distract those around you. If you have an infant or young child who insists on “talking” during the performance, please move to the lobby, where they can enjoy the concert in their own way.
5. What happens at a performance?
As you are seated for a concert, you will see the musicians enter onto the stage and begin to warm up individually. This is the time to turn off your cell phone, pager and alarm watch! When the performance is ready to begin, the Concertmaster enters, and leads the tuning of the orchestra. The orchestra quiets, the Conductor enters, and then the music begins.
At a recital, you will be seated and see the stage area in front of the audience set up for a small ensemble. This again is the time to turn off your cell phone, pager and alarm watch! There is no conductor at recitals. The musician ensembles will enter, be seated, and tune their instruments. A member of each group will give a brief introduction that will acquaint the audience with the music to be played, and then the music begins.
Many of the musical selections performed in concerts and recitals have several parts called “movements." Often movements will have titles provided by the composer, such as Nocturne and Finale in Frank Bridge's Suite for String Orchestra. If there are no titles, movements will be given names according to the composer's notation about the tempo or character in which the music is to be played, such as Andante, Scherzo, or Allegro con Brio. The set of movements, taken as a whole, comprises the musical selection. Even though the music may pause, the piece is not over until the final movement is completed. By paying attention to the names of the movements as listed in the program and comparing this to the music you hear, you can get an idea of what unfamiliar terms mean. It can be fun to follow the progress of a piece of music through is various movements. But keep in mind that sometimes one movement will flow into another with a change of character but without a distinct break.
Concerts in Rockland Church and recitals each have an intermission, which lasts about 15 minutes, and is an opportunity to move about the room and relax before the music resumes. You will be called back to your seats by the ringing of a bell. Each of these performances also has a reception after the conclusion of the music. The reception combines delicious refreshments with a chance to talk with the musicians and other audience members in a lovely informal setting.
Remember that performers love to hear your applause. Your expression of appreciation is their greatest reward! But do always wait until the musical selection is finished before you applaud. Usually, at the end of a piece, the conductor or performer will put his or her hands down and visibly relax, indicating “the job is done”. If you don't see this, chances are there is more to come. If you are not sure, the best rule is still to wait for others to start and then join in the applause.
6. How can I best enjoy a live performance?
The wonderful and mysterious thing about live concerts and recitals is that everybody comes to be affected together – musicians and listeners – to share in the experience. Take time before the concert to look over the program notes. The more you learn about the music the richer the experience.
And invite friends and family members to go with you to the next concert. You'll enjoy it all the better.