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). Tuning var- ies in different countries, which is why orchestras in Russia or Germany might sound a little different to your ear. ANATOMY OF A BOW ANATOMY

theFSO.org | 2021 Education Guide 7 MEET THE INSTRUMENTS

CLARINET FLUTE FRENCH TIMPANI HORN PERCUSSION

PICCOLO PIANO

HARP

VIOLA SECOND VIOLIN

VIOLIN

Strings Woodwinds Violin I, violin II, viola, Flute (auxiliary: piccolo, alto flute), oboe, cello, double bass, (auxiliary: English horn), clarinet (auxiliary: harp, piano Eb clarinet, bass clarinet, contrabass clarinet), bassoon (auxiliary: contrabassoon)

8 theFSO.org | 2021 Education Guide Did you know?

The price of an orchestral instrument can range from a couple thousand to millions of dollars. Lots of factors go into determining OBOE the price of an instrument. One key factor FRENCH is age – if an instrument has survived the HORN test of time, it's worth more money! TRUMPET

TROMBONE BASSOON

TUBA

DOUBLE BASS

CELLO

Brass Percussion Horn, trumpet (auxiliary: cornet, piccolo Timpani, snare drum, tenor drum, bass drum, trumpet, flugelhorn), tenor trombone (auxiliary: cymbals, triangle, tam-tam, tambourine, alto trombone), bass trombone (auxiliary: wood block, glockenspiel, xylophone, contrabass trombone), tuba, baritone horn/ vibraphone, marimba, cortales, tubular bells, euphonium mark tree, sleigh bell, bell tree

theFSO.org | 2021 Education Guide 9 Reed All About It Saxophone Reeds Several instruments in the woodwind family use a reed to produce their sound. Reeds are made out of a specific type of cane (not unlike bamboo) called Arundo donax. While single reed musicians (clarinet, saxophone) typically purchase reeds from the store, double reed musicians (oboe, bassoon) make their own reeds. Double reeds require a level of detail and accuracy that cannot be duplicated by a machine, which is why professionals scrape their own reeds. Double Reeds

Rehearsals/Preparation The orchestra participates in a number of Auditions rehearsals prior to each concert, similar to the An audition is held for individual way a sports team practices for games. The musicians to earn their place in the number of rehearsals usually depends on the orchestra. When someone leaves the difficulty of the program or if there are special orchestra, an audition is held to find a performers, like soloists. However, many musician to fill that position/instrument. orchestras have a standard number of scheduled Each instrument/musician has specific rehearsals to prepare for a given concert. Each pieces of music to learn for an audition, member of the orchestra has the responsibility of and the musician performs them in front preparing their part of the music before stepping of a panel of judges. Many auditions foot in rehearsal. Rehearsals are for coordinating are “blind,” where the judges don’t see all of the individual musicians’ parts into one the musician – only hear them. Auditions overall cohesive performance. can be very competitive, and musicians Sometimes, only certain sections of the work and practice hard to earn their orchestra are called to be at a rehearsal. If seat in a professional orchestra. it’s only one section, this is called a sectional (ex: string sectional, woodwind sectional). A sectional is used to work on a specific part of the music that isn’t necessarily difficult for other members of the orchestra.

10 theFSO.org | 2021 Education Guide BEFORE YOU GO What should I wear? How long is a symphony concert? We’d love to have you at the Flint Symphony Most symphony concerts are approximately two Orchestra however you are dressed! You will see hours long, including a 20-minute intermission. outfits ranging from casual to fancy. A good rule When do I clap? of thumb is to dress “business casual,” whatever Great question! Some pieces the Symphony plays that means to you – it could be a suit and tie, or have more than one section, called a movement. jeans and a nice top. In consideration of your Traditionally, the audience claps at the very end of fellow patrons, please keep cologne and the piece. How do you know when it's really the perfume to a minimum. end? The conductor will let both hands down by his When should I arrive? sides. But if you feel moved by the music and need It’s a great idea to get to the theatre around 30 to express it, clap away! minutes before the start of the performance. This What do I need to know about the allows you time to deal with parking, picking up music before I come? tickets at will call, and finding your seat. If you still Nothing! The best preparation is to come with an need to purchase tickets, you might want to arrive open mind and heart, ready to enjoy an evening a little earlier. of beautiful music. We offer a fun and informative Parking & Valet Pre-Concert Talk available on thefso.org website The Whiting Auditorium is located at 1241 East the week of the performance, plus in-depth Program Kearsley Street in Flint. There is ample free parking Notes in the evening’s program insert and online. in any surface lot on the Flint Cultural Center Cell Phones campus. This parking can become congested right Out of respect for our musicians and fellow patrons, before a show. Arrive at least 30 minutes prior to please silence or turn off all electronic devices for a performance to allow yourself time to park and the concert. Don’t forget, any recurring alarms get to your seat. The availability of valet services you might have set in your phone can override the will be determined before each concert, and this “silent mode” function. “Airplane mode” is a good information is included in the Know Before You option, too! FSO pre-concert email. If you have any questions, contact Lauren Coney at 810.238.1350 x118. Photography/Videography Please, no photography or videography of any kind. How do I find my seat? The Whiting’s usher staff and volunteers will help you Sit back, relax, and enjoy! find your seat as you enter the theatre. Need to find the restroom, coat check or concessions? Just ask any usher in a black vest – they are happy to help!

theFSO.org | 2021 Education Guide 11 Flint

SymphonyOrchestra ENRIQUE DIEMECKE, MUSIC DIRECTOR & CONDUCTOR 2021 SEASON STRAVINSKY &PROKOFIEV FEBRUARY 6, 2021 | 2PM BRAHMS MARCH 6, 2021 | 7:30PM

BEETHOVEN & DVOŘÁK APRIL 10, 2021 | 7:30PM

TCHAIKOVSKY & BRUCH MAY 8, 2021 | 7:30PM

810.237.7333 | theFSO.org/tickets

Check us out Major funding for the Flint Institute of Music is provided by This program and/or service is funded in whole or in part by the Genesee County on social media! the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. Learn more at Mott.org. Arts Education and Cultural Enrichment Millage funds. Your tax dollars are at work.