Valley Symphony Orchestra Education Concert Booklet

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We are looking forward to having you at the VSO’s Education Concerts and cannot wait to share this wonderful
music with you. In this document you will find information and resources relating to the music your students will
be hearing. There are also links to recordings of each piece should you want your class to listen to examples of the
music. Use some or all of these resources to best prepare your class for an exciting Education Concert!
Terms to review
BEFORE PROCEEDING
MAESTRO:
CONCERTMASTER:
SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA:
MOVEMENT:
The conductor of the orchestra.
The first chair violinist and instrumental leader of the orchestra.
A group of instruments traditionally consisting of violin, viola, cello,
bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, french horn, trumpet, trombone,
tuba, and percussion.
A self-contained part of a larger work, similar to a chapter within a
book.
What you will see before the performance begins
• Musicians will be on stage warming up.
• The Concertmaster will walk out, the
orchestra will grow silent, and the
audience (that’s you!) will clap.
• The Concertmaster will direct the oboe
player to play a note for the orchestra
to match. This is called the tuning note.
Multiple tuning notes will be played, one
each for woodwinds, brass, and strings.
• After the tuning note, the concertmaster
will sit down and everyone, including the
audience, will stay quiet.
• The Maestro will walk out on stage, the
orchestra will stand, and the audience
will clap.
• Sometimes the Maestro will speak to the
audience, sometimes the Maestro will
start the music right away. Regardless,
this is when the audience starts listening.
Audience Member Expectations
• Stay seated throughout the performance
• Clap at the end of each piece (it is polite
and shows you enjoyed the music!)
• Save talking for after the performance
• Make sure your cell phone is turned off
How to Stay Engaged with the Music
• See if you can tell which musicians are
playing and which musicians are resting.
• Do you recognize the instruments in the
orchestra?
• How are the conductor’s movements
reflecting the music?
• See if you can tap the steady beat on your
leg with the tip of your finger.