Music
Band vs. Orchestra - Which is Better?
by Leila Litkouhi
ou play an instrument, you probably have a preference between these two types of music. Although these are both great forms of music, they both have their own advantages and drawbacks. Understanding what sets band and orchestra apart helps musicians appreciate the features of both.
During the 1500s through the 1800s, wind ensembles played with instruments like the sackbuts (basically trombones) and flutes. They played most on special occasions. 100 years later, brass bands began to pop up with newly created brass instruments. In the 1900s, bands continued to diverse until we finally have bands like we do today. During the Renaissance, people would play in groups of instrumentalists, and composers would write music that any kind of instrument could play. Later on during the 1600s this began to form into something like the modern orchestra we see today. There were different parts for people to play and more string instruments like violas. Orchestras only continued to advance as time went by and composers like Beethoven and Mozart began to compose music. Eventually, the orchestra evolves into what it is today. Clearly, band and orchestra both have an important history.
One of the most important details to consider when choosing between band and orchestra is the difficulty. If participating in a marching band, you may have to carry and play a heavy instrument while moving around. On the other hand, the tunes played in an orchestra are much more complex. Additionally, a concert band is less exposed than an orchestra because more people play the same part.
The last most important thing to consider before choosing between band and orchestra is which is more entertaining or fun. A band has much more freedom in the kinds of music it plays. It can range from formal and full of feeling to light-hearted and bouncy, or from classical music to jazz. Though an orchestra has less choices for the kinds of music to play, it has many more instruments, sometimes making it more beautiful than band music. Both of these ensembles are fun to participate in, but in their own ways.
Band and orchestra both have their own different experiences. When trying to decide between them, it’s important to consider the key factors and consider the strengths and challenges of each option. Both are wonderful methods of playing music and would be wonderful additions to your life.
The Epic Saga of John Williams
by Leila Litkouhi
What do you think is the greatest movie of all time? One of the best parts of a movie is the sound. John Williams composed the music for some of the most iconic movies, including Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Jurassic Park.
This beloved composer has had a talent for music even throughout his childhood, and it has always been a very important aspect of his life. Williams’s father was a percussionist, so he began learning to play instruments at a young age. He started playing piano at six, then learned other instruments like the trumpet and clarinet. Eventually, in his early teens, he began to compose music. He continued to do this even when he joined the U.S. Air Force in 1952, when he was 19.
Later on, Williams progressed in his musical career, creating some of the most famous music from movies today. One of the most popular tunes is the Main Theme from Star Wars. He also has a connection with the Boston Pops Orchestra. The Boston Pops Orchestra is known as “America’s Orchestra,” and is well known around the country. John Williams was the lead conductor for a while when he was younger, and eventually passed the job to Keith Lockhart in 1995, but continues to help out the orchestra today.
Throughout his life, Williams has earned over 200 awards and 390 nominations, the most important one being the AFI Life Time Achievement Award, in honor of creating such extraordinary music for classic films. He was the first composer to receive this award in history.
In conclusion, Williams started his composition in his early life and is still going strong today, even at age 93. Throughout life, he’s rightfully earned many medals for his works. Even though now he may have slowed his pace writing music, John Williams is still known as one of the world’s greatest musicians in history - arguably as good as Mozart.
John Williams | Biography
https://www.britannica.com/biography/John-Williams
https://www.kennedy-center.org/artists/w/wa-wn/john-williams/
BSO | About the Boston Pops
An Introduction to Music
by Leila Litkouhi
Have you ever thought about the beginning of music, and how it’s significant in history? Music has been around since approximately 40,000 years ago, and has evolved a great deal over time. From the lyres and harps of Ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt to the pop songs and orchestras today, music plays a big part in society.
Early humans like the Neanderthals were the first humans to play music. These people created bone flutes and drums made from animal skin, most likely for social gatherings or celebrations. Research shows that they were probably trying to imitate the sounds of animals and nature. Later on in Ancient Mesopotamia, 2500 BC, the Sumerians created one of the earliest string instruments called the Lyre. Already, music was developing fast. Evidence shows that the Sumerians used these instruments for entertainment, along with singers. The Standard of Ur displayed a lyre player and a singer in the top right corner of the mural, entertaining the King.
4,000 years later, classical music was born. Classical music was at its peak during the year 1750, around the time when Beethoven, Mozart, and Bach were alive. Centuries later, music began to become more modern. Jazz music popped up in the 1900s, in African American communities, and soon after Country music became popular in 1920. Finally, Rock and Roll and Pop music were created around the year 1950.
Just like how books are divided into genres like fantasy, historical, and non-fiction, music has genres, too. The five main categories of music are Rock and Roll, Jazz, Pop, Country, and Classical music, though there are many more. Most of these genres became popular in the 1900s, except for Classical music. Other popular genres include Rap, Hip Hop, Metal, and Folk music.
Today, music is very popular all around the world. Each region has its own kind of music, and music is an important part of culture. This art has been around for over 40 thousand years and continues to be part of our lives to this day.
https://www.mi.edu/in-the-know/symphony-change-tracing-evolution-music-genres/
https://historycooperative.org/who-invented-music/
https://www.audicus.com/homo-sapiens-musicus-or-why-humans-make-music-2/?srsltid=AfmBOordTyKoP8AGgKdMb_Meki8Qpjwtw81jzlKGpGSZhRrECwiB7e1H
https://fcsymphony.org/a-brief-history-of-classical-music/
Music Genres Timeline
https://www.clrn.org/what-are-the-5-genres-of-music/