The Orchestra Sings - Eugene Symphony

Support provided by: 

Gorgie Hofma 

Danail Rachev, music director and conductor 

City of Eugene/ 

Hult Center for the Performing Arts 

A youth concert for elementary 

school students designed by 

Carnegie Hall. 

Narrated by William Hulings 

Tuesday, November 13 and 

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

The Orchestra Sings 

What is The Orchestra Sings? 

The Orchestra Sings , a youth concert designed by Carnegie Hall, is part 

of a larger program called Link Up which assists students in discovering 

how composers and musicians play with elements of rhythm, including 

creating patterns of sound and silence that are expressive and exciting. 

The Eugene Symphony has partnered with Carnegie Hall to provide Link 

Up to third through fifth graders in area afterschool programs. Exploring a 

range of orchestral repertoire, students sing, play the recorder, compose, 

and perform on-stage with the Eugene Symphony as part of The 

Orchestra Sings youth concert. 

We invite you and your students to sing along with us and our afterschool 

partner programs in a lively and educational concert experience like no 

other!


October 24, 2012 

Dear Educator, 

We look forward to sharing our Elementary Youth Concert, The Orchestra 

Sings, with you on November 13 & 14. To help you prepare for your students’ 

performance in this special concert, we, along with Carnegie Hall, have 

provided you with scores of the music to be sung with the orchestra, as well as 

historical information on each piece. 

We find that students who receive an early introduction to the program learn 

more from our concerts. You are encouraged to make as many copies of this 

packet as you wish. 

Thank you for your continued support of our youth concerts. I will email a 

survey to you following the concert. We appreciate your feedback. 

Sincerely, 

Jennifer Diaz 

Education Director


Dear Students, 

I’m so glad that you’re coming to the Eugene 

Symphony’s Youth Concert! I will be the musician 

conducting the orchestra during the performance. 

We are looking forward to guiding you through an 

interactive exploration of melody in music, singing 

along with the us on “Ode to Joy” and “Simple 

Gifts.” I hope you enjoy learning the pieces as 

much as you enjoy performing with the Symphony! 

I look forward to sharing this special music with 

you. 

Danail Rachev 

Conductor


THE ORCHESTRA SINGS 

CONCERT PROGRAM 

Bizet Farandole from L’Arlésienne 

Dvorak Largo from the New World Symphony, arr. Cabaniss 

Brackett “Simple Gifts”* 

Beethoven “Ode to Joy”, arr. Cabaniss* 

Stravinsky “Finale” from The Firebird Suite 

*Denotes pieces students may sing along with. Please refer to the accompanying scores.


Guide to Audience Behavior 

1. Leave all electronic devices on the school bus. 

2. Once you have entered the Hult Center, you are expected to speak in a 

moderate tone of voice. No yelling, please. 

3. Stay with your teacher or assigned chaperone while waiting to be seated. 

4. Once the lights dim inside the concert hall, all talking should stop so that the 

orchestra may tune. The concert host will invite you to participate in the 

concert once it is appropriate. 

5. Show your appreciation for the orchestra by applauding when the conductor 

comes on stage and in between each piece. 

6. Get into the music and feel the beat in your body. Participate when it is your 

turn! 

7. Focus on the instruments. What do you hear? What do you see? 

In-class Discussions & Activities 

Split the class into three groups: performers, audience, and observers. The 

performers can play, sing, or even read something that the class is studying. The 

observers watch and take notes “fishbowl” style. What can they observe about 

the relationship between the audience and the performers? 

Draw out reactions from the performers. Begin to develop empathy for 

performers as an audience member. 

• How does it make you feel when people aren‟t paying attention? 

• How does it feel when you don‟t get the applause you deserve?


Farandole from L’Arlesienne 

About L’Arlesienne 

L’Arlesienne, translated as “The Girl 

from Arles”, is a play written by 

Alphonse Daudet. Bizet was 

commissioned, or paid, to compose 

the music for the play, which was 

premiered on October 1, 1872 in 

Paris. Bizet composed a total of 27 

pieces for the play, including pieces 

for voice, chorus, and small 

orchestra. 

Though the play was unsuccessful, 

the music for the play lives on as a 

two-suite arrangement for full 

orchestra. 

Georges Bizet 

1838-1875 

• Born in Paris, France as 

Alexandre César Léopold Bizet 

but later baptized as Georges, 

which is the name he kept for 

the rest of his life. 

• Began studying at the Paris 

Conservatoire (a college of 

music and dance) when he 

was only nine years old. 

• Georges won several awards 

and competitions while 

studying at the Conservatoire. 

• Best known as an opera 

composer. 

• Bizet’s best-known work is the 

opera, Carmen.


Farandole from L’Arlesienne 

Set in Provence, France, L’Arlesienne 

is about a girl from Arles that was 

loved by a young peasant boy. The 

two are to marry but the peasant 

boy soon realizes that the girl from 

Arles loves another. 

What is a farandole? 

The farandole is a fast chain dance 

that was popular in Nice, France. The 

dance music is typically played by a 

flute and drum. Dancers hold hands 

while skipping, walking, or running. 

Watch the farandole dance 

performed during the first minute of this 

video: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M 

f-yre31yfE 

Georges Bizet 

1838-1875 

In-class Discussions 

• Where is Arles? Explore its 

culture and history. 

• What is an opera? 

• What is a peasant? Discuss 

social class structures of the 

time.


Largo from the New World Symphony 

About the Romantic Period 

The Romantic period succeeded the 

Classical period, and is generally 

thought to be from 1815-1900. 

Though the label may suggest 

otherwise, the term “romantic” does 

not refer to love, but rather writing 

with an abundance of passion and 

expression. 

What is a symphony? 

Traditionally, a symphony is a piece of 

music in three or more movements, or 

sections. However, in modern day, a 

symphony can also refer to an 

orchestra, such as the Eugene 

Symphony. 

Antonín Dvořák 

1841-1904 

• Born in the Bohemian village of 

Nelahozeves , now part of the 

Czech Republic. 

• Studied organ, violin, and viola. 

• Self-taught composer. 

• Moved to America in 1892 to 

become director of the National 

Conservatory of Music. 

• He later moved back to Prague 

and became the director of the 

Prague Conservatory. 

• Considered the most prolific 

Czech composer to date. 

• Romantic era composer.


Largo from the New World Symphony 

“Thousands upon thousands of people, and 

an everchanging sight! And you should hear 

all the kinds of music! … Well, America seems 

to have demonstrated all it is and all it is 

capable of! I haven‟t got enough words to 

describe it all.” 

When the New York Philharmonic hired 

Dvořák to write a symphony, he was 

inspired to blend traditional American 

sounds into his work, including the music of 

Native and African Americans, with 

Bohemian folk music. 

Largo is a movement within the Symphony, 

based on a spiritual-like song called “Goin’ 

Home”. 

What is a spiritual? 

Spirituals are religious folk songs created 

and first sung by African American slaves 

to pass the time and relay secretive 

information to other slaves. 

Antonín Dvořák 

1841-1904 


• Where is Bohemia on the 

map? Explore its culture & 

history. 

• What is an organ and what 

does it sound like? In what kind 

of venue is it most commonly 

used? 

• What does Native American 

and Bohemian folk music 

sound like? What kind of 

instruments were used during 

Dvořák’s time in each culture? 

• What was happening in visual 

arts, dance, and theater 

during Dvořák’s life?


“Simple Gifts” 

What is a Shaker? 

The United Society of Believers, 

commonly referred to as Shakers, are a 

religious group founded in England in 

1747. After their leader was imprisoned 

for her religious beliefs, she and her 

followers emigrated to the United 

States in 1774, searching for religious 

freedom. 

Shakers believe that religion is also a 

lifestyle, living in gender segregated 

housing but coming together for 

worship and work. They lead a simple, 

self-sufficient community by living off of 

their land. At one point in time, there 

were over 5,000 Shakers but today only 

a handful remain in the Sabbathday 

Lake, Maine village. 

Joseph Brackett, Jr. 

1797-1882 

• Born in Cumberland, Maine 

into a Shaker community. 

• Primarily a church leader, 

Brackett did not compose 

many tunes. 

• Elder, or male leader, in his 

Shaker community 

The Shakers composed thousands 

of songs and choreographed many 

dances, primarily to be used during 

worship services.


“Simple Gifts” 

“Simple Gifts” is not a hymn, as it is 

traditionally referred, but rather a 

song. The difference? Shaker hymns 

have two or more verses while Shaker 

songs have only one verse. 

The last two lines indicate that this 

was a dance song: 

“To turn, turn will be our delight, 

„til by turning, turning we come „round 

right.” 

“Simple Gifts” is 

felt in four beats. 

To the left is the 

pattern the 

conductor will be 

conducting for 

this piece. 

Joseph Brackett, Jr. 

1797-1882 

In-class Discussions & Activities 

• What is a verse? 

• Write a second verse to the 

song. 

• Make up a dance to the song. 

• Imagine – how could you 

simplify your life? 

“Simple Gifts” was made by popular 

by Aaron Copland’s orchestral suite, 

Appalachian Spring, almost 100 years 

after the tune was composed. 

Watch the ballet here: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9 

1y-NEdTj-g


“Ode to Joy” from Symphony No. 9 

About the Classical Period 

The Classical period occurred 

after the Baroque period, 

generally thought of as between 

1750-1830. It is called the 

Classical period because artists 

and writers tried to emulate the 

artistic and literary heritage of 

classical Greece and Rome. 

Did you know? 

Beethoven was completely deaf when he 

composed his ninth symphony. 

Ludwig van Beethoven 

1770-1827 

• Born in Bonn, Germany in 1770, 

though his exact date of birth 

is not known. 

• Initially learned piano from his 

father. 

• He became the primary 

financial provider for his family 

by the time he was twelve by 

performing and composing 

music. 

• Acknowledged as one of the 

greatest composers of all time. 

• Classical era composer.


“Ode to Joy” from Symphony No. 9 

“Ode to Joy” is the final movement of 

Beethoven’s ninth (and last) 

symphony. It is the only movement 

within the symphony that features 

four solo vocalists and a chorus. The 

text that the chorus sings (and that 

you’ll be singing at our youth 

concert!) is based on a poem written 

by Friedrich Schiller. The poem 

enthusiastically celebrates the 

brotherhood and unity of all 

mankind. 

Interesting fact… 

While conducting the premiere 

performance of Symphony No. 9, 

Beethoven was several measures off 

and could not hear that the orchestra 

had stopped playing. One of the 

vocalists had to turn him around to 

accept the audience’s applause. 

Ludwig van Beethoven 

1770-1827 


• Where is Germany on the 

map? Explore its culture & 

history. 

• What causes hearing loss? 

• How do you think Beethoven 

was able to continue to 

compose, conduct, and 

perform after completely 

losing his hearing? 

• What was happening in visual 

arts, dance, and theater 

during Beethoven’s life?


“Finale” from The Firebird Suite 

In 1910, Igor Stravinsky partnered with 

choreographer Michael Folkine and 

storywriter Alexandre Benois to 

compose The Firebird, a ballet based 

on Russian fairy tales. 

Although the story takes place in 

Russia, the ballet was premiered in 

Paris by Ballets Russes. 

Soon after the ballet premiere, 

Stravinsky re-arranged the score for 

orchestra. The score underwent 

several revisions for smaller 

ensembles. 

Watch this excerpt of the ballet, 

performed by Northwest Ballet, which 

is based in Seattle: 

http://youtu.be/6h6WvIeodfs 

Igor Stravinsky 

1882-1971 

• Born in Oranienbaum, Russia 

and raised in Saint Petersburg, 

Russia. 

• As a shy and lonely young child, 

Stravinsky began studying piano, 

music theory, and composition. 

• Received a partial diploma in 

law. 

• Studied composition privately 

with Russian composer Rimsky- 

Korsakov. 

• The Firebird launched 

Stravinsky’s career as an 

international composer. 

• One of the most important and 

influential composers of the 20 th 

century.


“Finale” from The Firebird Suite 

The Firebird Story 

Prince Ivan is hunting near an enchanted castle, which belongs to a wicked magician named 

Kashchei the Immortal. Ivan catches the Firebird, a magical bird while she is taking golden apples 

from a nearby tree, and she begs for her freedom. In exchange, the Firebird offers Prince Ivan a 

magic feather from her golden tail that will protect him in times of trouble. Prince Ivan accepts the 

feather and sets the Firebird free. Whenever Ivan waves the magic feather, the Firebird will come to 

his rescue. Meanwhile, the evil magician Kashchei is having a good time capturing beautiful young 

women and turning handsome young men into stone statues. Ivan sees a beautiful princess and 12 

maidens outside the enchanted castle. Prince Ivan falls immediately in love with the princess. He 

wants her to go away with him, but the princess tells Ivan that she and her friends are captives of the 

evil magician. If anyone tries to rescue them, they will be turned into stone. The maidens are forced to 

return to the sorcerer’s castle, but the prince follows them. 

Ivan goes into the castle to fight the magician. He is captured, and just when the magician is going to 

turn him into stone, Prince Ivan remembers the magic feather and waves it. The Firebird returns and 

makes the magician and his servants do a wild dance, forcing them to dance faster and faster until 

they all collapse. The dance makes the servants and the evil magician too tired to hurt Ivan. The 

Firebird then sings them to sleep with a lullaby. The Firebird whispers to Ivan to look for a magic egg, 

which is the source of all of the evil magician’s power. The prince finds the egg and smashes it, and 

the spell is broken. The princess, her friends, and all of the stone statues come back to life. Ivan and 

the princess live happily ever after. 

Material excerpted from lincolnsymphony.com/stravinskyplan.pdf and Carnegie Hall Weill Music Institute.


A Diagram of the Orchestra


WHAT IS THE ROLE OF 

THE CONDUCTOR? 

Every large ensemble has a conductor 

such as Danail Rachev (Eugene 

Symphony). The conductor is not only 

the face of the orchestra, but also 

leads the organization with an artistic 

vision. For example, Danail decides 

which pieces the orchestra will perform 

for each concert, guides the musicians 

in performing the pieces to his 

interpretation, and keeps the ensemble 

playing together through his hand 

patterns.


Instrument Families 

The WOODWIND family includes the flute, clarinet, 

oboe, saxophone, and bassoon. This instrument family 

produces sound by blowing a vibrating column of air 

inside some form of tube. In the past, woodwind 

instruments were made from wood, but nowadays 

some instruments like the flute are made from metal. 

Woodwinds create a vibrating column of air in 

different ways. Flutes blow across the top of an open 

hole. Clarinets and saxophones blow between a reed 

– usually a small, flat piece of bamboo – against a 

fixed surface. That is why clarinets and saxophones 

are sometimes called “single-reed” instruments. 

Bassoons and oboes blow between two reeds that 

vibrate against each other. That is why bassoons and 

oboes are sometimes called “double-reed” instruments. 

Woodwinds usually change the pitch of 

their instruments by changing the length of the tube 

they blow the vibrating air through. They most often 

change the length by opening and closing holes 

using keys on their instruments. Woodwind instruments 

are sometimes described as having a singing sound. 

They are often used to play solo parts during 

symphonies when their unique tonal qualities can be 

heard even if the entire orchestra is playing.



Trumpet 

French Horn 

Trombone 

Tuba 

The BRASS family is one of the oldest families of the 

orchestra and includes the trumpet, french horn, 

trombone, and tuba, all of which are made of brass! 

Sound is produced on these instruments when a 

person’s lips buzz into a cup-shaped mouthpiece and 

produce vibrating air. The vibrating air then travels 

through a long metal tube that modifies and 

amplifies the vibrations. In order to change pitch, 

brass players use two techniques. One is to vary the 

speed with which they buzz their lips. The other is to 

change the length of the tubing that they blow air 

through. This is done by either pressing a key to open 

a valve, as with a trumpet, or by using a slide to 

physically increase or decrease the length of tubing, 

as with a trombone. Brass instruments are often 

described as having a sweet or round sound. Then 

can also play very loudly and are often used in the 

most exciting parts of a piece.



The STRING family is made up of the violin, viola, cello, bass and harp. Not 

surprisingly, instruments in this family produce sound by vibrating strings! The strings 

vibrate in two ways. Vibrations can be produced by using a bow (made from 

horsehair stretched on a wood stick) to rub the strings and produce vibrations. The 

other way is to pluck the string, usually with the hand, a technique called pizzicato. 

The pitch is changed on string instruments by adjusting the length of the string. This is 

usually accomplished by putting fingers down at some point on the string to shorten 

the length of the vibrating string. String instruments have a very mellow, rich sound. 

There are many string players in an orchestra because each instrument alone does 

not have a very loud sound compared to other instrument families. Strings often play 

a beautiful melody, but sometimes the strings play the harmony parts.



The PERCUSSION family is probably the 

most varied family in the orchestra. Sound 

on percussion instruments is created by 

physically hitting, rubbing or shaking a solid 

material, like a metal triangle or a 

membrane (like the top of a snare drum). 

Membranes were once made from animal 

skins, but today most drums use a synthetic 

material. Only a few percussion 

instruments produce a specific pitch. 

Pitched percussion instruments that use a 

membrane, like the timpani, change pitch 

when the tension of the membrane is 

altered. Percussion instruments usually 

provide rhythm for the music. Many 

people don’t know that the percussion 

family also includes the piano.


Instrument Scramble and Family Identification 

Unscramble the words in the first column to identify the musical instrument in the 

second column. In the third column, write the name of the family (woodwind, 

brass, strings, percussion) to which the instrument belongs. 

1. aiovl 

2. ossabon 

3. atbu 

4. lelvoioocnl 

5. tuefl 

6. aesnr mrdu 

7. rmptuet 

8. pniiatm 

9. tcernlai 

10. bmetonro 

11. aylscmb 

Instrument Family


Instrument Scramble and Family Identification 

Answer Key 

Instrument Family 

1. aiovl viola string 

2. ossabon bassoon woodwind 

3. atbu tuba brass 

4. lelvoioocnl violoncello string 

5. tuefl flute woodwind 

6. aesnr mrdu snare drum percussion 

7. rmptuet trumpet brass 

8. pniiatm timpani percussion


Across 

3. Religious group founded in England whose followers composed thousands of songs for 

worship. 

6. Term that refers to instruments that require the musician to blow between two reeds. 

7. Piece of music in three or more movements. 

9. Instrument family whose sound is created by physically hitting, rubbing, or shaking a 

solid material. 

10. One of the greatest composers of all time who went deaf toward the end of his life. 

12. A period when artists tried to copy the heritage of Greece and Rome. 

Down 

1. Leader that keeps the ensemble playing together through his hand patterns. 

2. Instrument that requires the musician to buzz their lips into a cup-shaped mouthpiece. 

3. Instrument family whose sound is produced by vibrating strings. 

4. Shaker dance song felt in four beats. 

5. Folk songs created by slaves to pass time. 

8. Movement of a symphony that features a chorus. 

11. A ballet based on Russian fairy tales.

The Orchestra Sings - Eugene Symphony

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