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Your Guide Welcome! Welcome to the Flint Symphony Orchestra! We’Ve Been Around for Over 100 Years and Are Excited to Share Our Music with You

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Your Guide Welcome! Welcome to the Flint Symphony Orchestra! We’Ve Been Around for Over 100 Years and Are Excited to Share Our Music with You Flint SymphonyOrchestra ENRIQUE DIEMECKE, MUSIC DIRECTOR & CONDUCTOR Your Guide Welcome! Welcome to the Flint Symphony Orchestra! We’ve been around for over 100 years and are excited to share our music with you. If you’ve never been to an orchestral concert before, you probably have some questions. We’re here to help! In this guide you’ll find frequently asked questions, from “What do I wear?” to “When do I clap?” and everything in-between, including a handy diagram of orchestral instruments. The symphony orchestra is made up of lots of different elements coming together, so there’s plenty to learn. Don’t let that intimidate you! It’s also an amazing and unique musical experience unlike any other. A little bit of background information will help enhance that experience, so let’s get started. MEET THE FSO The Flint Symphony Orchestra (FSO) is one of the finest orchestras of its size in the nation. As a long standing program of the Flint Institute of Music, the FSO’s rich 104-year history as a cultural icon in the community is a testament to the dedication to world-class performances from the musicians and Flint and Genesee County audiences alike. The history of the Flint Institute of Music began in 1917 with the founding of the Flint Com- munity Music Association (FCMA) through the vision and generosity of automotive pioneer and philanthropist J. Dallas Dort. The orchestra began performing alongside The Community Chorus in seasonal festivals and the annual production of the Messiah. The first stand- alone concert performed by the Flint Sym- phony Orchestra was conducted by George Oscar Bowen on March 3, 1918 with Karl Heinrich as the Concertmaster. The repertoire included Grieg, Handel, Pierne, and Verdi. 2 theFSO.org | 2021 Education Guide In the coming years, FCMA deepened its continues on as the Education Department community engagement with the formation of within Flint Repertory Theatre, founded in the Flint Youth Symphony Orchestra in 1946. 2018. The FSO professionalized in 1965 forming the The Flint Symphony Orchestra has been Musical Performing Arts Association (MPAA). performing under the direction of Maestro Both the FCMA and MPAA merged in 1971 Enrique Diemecke since 1989. Under Maestro to form The Flint Institute of Music. A period Diemecke's unwavering musical integrity and of significant programmatic growth followed commitment to the community, the FSO has with the addition of the FIM Community Music connected with audiences throughout south- School, later renamed the Flint School of east Michigan, delivering outstanding artistry Performing Arts, and the Flint Youth Theatre and excellence. joining FIM in 2009. Flint Youth Theatre What is an Orchestra? Let’s start with the basics. An orchestra is a large instrumental ensemble which combines instruments from different families – strings, winds, brass and percussion. The specific instruments played in an orchestra depend on the music. For example, the instruments used in an orchestra performing Bach (from the Baroque period) are different from an orchestra playing Mozart (from the Classical period). The modern orchestra can range from 70 to over 100 musicians, depending on the music and the size of the concert hall. Standard personnel for the Flint Symphony Orchestra consists of 76 musicians. theFSO.org | 2021 Education Guide 3 What is Classical Music? Did you know? Classical music is largely rooted in European tradition. It was written for both religious It's a pretty laborious task to copy out entire (liturgical) and non-religious (secular) contexts. symphonies note by note, part by part. Classical music has evolved in both style and So the invention of the printing press complexity over the years, and most of what you enabled composers to share their music hear was written starting in the year 1600 all the with more people than ever before. way through present day. Although there are many variations of classical music, its definition characteristic is complexity. So, what does that mean? Well, most classical music has lots of moving parts, all happening at the same time. Musical elements like rhythm, phrasing, texture, and harmony can be completely different, but all work together to make up the music you hear. What is a Symphony? A symphony is a classical music composition written by a composer for an orchestra. It is made up of separate distinct sections (usually four) called movements. When you’re listening to a symphony, you will hear a brief pause in-between movements. This signifies that one musical idea is finished, and the music is moving on to something new. Even though they’re different, all movements in a symphony are written to be presented as one piece of music. You will often hear melodies or musical themes repeated across movements. 4 theFSO.org | 2021 Education Guide MEET THE CONDUCTOR What is a Conductor? A conductor is the leader of the orchestra. On orchestra will perform it. Most conductors read stage, the conductor stands with their back closest off a full score, which is the musical notation for to the audience on a platform, called a podium. all instruments in the orchestra. Maestro Diemecke They move their arms in different patterns and does not read off a full score… “insert quote here.” hold a baton (which looks like a wand or stick). Conductors usually start their careers as musicians, The FSO’s Conductor, Enrique Diemecke, does and work hard to gain an advanced understand- not conduct with a baton. “Insert quote here.” The ing of instruments and music in order to lead the arm movements help guide the orchestra through orchestra. Musicians in the orchestra often refer to the music by keeping time (tempo) and signifying their conductor as Maestro from the Italian word dynamics (loud, soft, etc). The conductor spends meaning master or teacher. lots of time studying the music to decide how their theFSO.org | 2021 Education Guide 5 Maestro Enrique Diemecke The Flint Symphony Orchestra’s conductor is Maestro Enrique Diemecke. He has been with the FSO since 1989, one of the longest tenures for a Music Director in the country. In addition to his work at the Flint Symphony Orchestra, he is also the Artistic General Director of the world renowned Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Teatro Colón is considered one of the ten best opera houses in the world. Maestro Diemecke enjoys an international recording, operatic, and concert career. Has has conducted orchestras around the world, from the BBC Symphony (England) to the Russian National Orchestra and many places in between. The New York Times referred to Diemecke as a conductor of “fierceness and authority.” Born in Mexico City, Enrique Diemecke comes from a large family of classical musicians. He plays violin, French horn, piano, and percussion. He attended Catholic University in Washington, D.C. and studied with Charles Bruck at the Pierre Monteux School for Advanced Conductors. According to Maestro Diemecke, “The baton is an extension of your fingers, and is often used for dark orchestra pits so the musicians can see, as well as the singers from the stage. In a concert format, the baton is not so necessary since the conductor is more visible and the lighting is better.” MEET THE ORCHESTRA About the Musicians & Instruments The Flint Symphony Orchestra has between 76 only required for certain pieces. Some examples and 100 musicians, depending on the music being of auxiliary instruments are the piccolo (a smaller performed. It is made up of four different instrument version of the flute) or an alto trombone (a smaller families: strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. version of the trombone). Some pieces also use Each musical piece is written for a specific instru- additional keyboard instruments, like piano or mentation, or number of instruments to perform pipe organ. Refer to the diagram on page 8 that music. Certain instrument families have extra to see where FSO musicians sit on-stage. instruments, called auxiliary instruments, that are 6 theFSO.org | 2021 Education Guide What is a Concertmaster? The concertmaster is the leader of the first violin section in an orchestra. After the conductor, the concertmaster is the second-most important leader. The concertmaster plays the primary violin solos and is usually the most skilled musician in the section. They also make decisions about bowing (which direction the violins move their bows and when) and other technical details. The concertmaster can lead rehearsals and perform other leadership duties in the conductor’s absence. A key concertmaster responsibility is leading the orchestra in tuning before rehearsals and concerts. Tuning is where the concertmaster stands up and cues the first oboe player to play the tuning note, which is an “A.” The concertmaster tunes his own instrument, then signals for the rest of the strings to tune their instruments, followed by the woodwinds and brass. Once the orchestra tunes, you know the concert will start soon! Did you know? Tuning Violin bows are traditionally made with wood (for the stick, or the part that is held by the Tuning is when the concertmaster walks violinists hand) and horsehair (for the hair, on stage before the concert and cues or the part that gets pulled over the violin the first oboe player to play the tuning strings)? Although some bows use synthetic note, which is an “A.” The concertmaster string, horsehair is the preferred material. tunes his own instrument, then signals for the rest of the strings to tune their instruments, followed by the wood- winds and brass. When the concertmaster sits down, the tuning process is complete and the conductor will soon appear. It’s almost showtime! Most American orchestras tune to an “A” note at 440Hz (hertz = sound waves per second).
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