The Orchestra Appreciation Thread- Page 2

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 1/30/05 at 7:06pm

wickedrentq, thank you for that wonderful post. It's true, most orchestras don't get enough credit for their hard work and amazing contribution to theatre. One of my favourite things to do if I ever get to sit front-row at a musical is peer into the pit and wonder at how the performers create such beautiful music.

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 1/30/05 at 7:11pm

Can I just say that THE BEST orchestra I have ever seen was Cabaret's.

Someone hand me a hankie...

[FabalaCohen]

Posted: 1/30/05 at 7:11pm

Givin' props to the Orchestra...a good friend of mine's in it at Penn State, and she's always busy with that. Love the bassonists!

[personB]

Posted: 1/30/05 at 7:31pm

Let's hear it for the pit people! Yay!

You don't realize how many people they can stick in a small area until you do pit orchestra. And about the overture, yeah, I've noticed that it's written, but it's always cut to shave time off of the total time of the musical. What a shame.

[edenespinosalover]

Posted: 1/30/05 at 8:06pm

To the musicians who've ever played in the pit of "Parade" or "Sweeney Todd" :: bows ::

[MarkCohen]

Posted: 1/30/05 at 9:06pm

Playing in Sweeney would be AMAZING.

I play trumpet but have only been able to play in school concert and jazz band. I would love to play in an orchestra though. Playing an instrument is such an adrenaline rush.

I love the french horn solo in SITPWG.

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 1/31/05 at 3:05pm

Bump! Come on guys, orchestras deserve even more appreciaton!

god, I really am a pit geek...

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 2/1/05 at 6:03pm

There's nothing like the sound of a live orchestra!

Now, if we could just get them to stop being such spoiled-brats and their unions to stop being RIDICULOUS, they just might NOT put themselves out of work!

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 1/22/07 at 11:17pm

i just felt like reviving this thread since it's been almost two years.. haha... anyways... when i was in new york last summer i was really impressed with the Hairspray and Wedding Singer orchestras.... just thought i'd share

[jasobres]

Posted: 1/22/07 at 11:25pm

Is it just me or is the guitar almost becoming obsolete as a pit instrument for revivals of shows that originally had a guitar in the orchestration. I saw "The Apple Tree," "A Chorus Line," and "Les Miserables," and the guitar part was either synthesized, played onstage by an actor or omitted altogether. What's with that?

[ashley0139]

Posted: 1/22/07 at 11:41pm

What would Broadway be without the orchestra? Much worse, that's for sure. I appreciate!

[stephen3]

Posted: 1/23/07 at 12:22am

Well, as a member of an orchestra currently running on Broadway it means a lot that you guys are so kind in your thoughtful posts. (Except of course the spoiled brats one) :)
It means a lot to us when you come down and say hello at the intermission and after the show and hang out for the exit music, too.
Thanks again!

[wickedrentq]

Posted: 1/23/07 at 12:24am

Way to bring back this important thread. Heh, knew I must have said something...as soon as I saw the long post...ha.

I actually think it was one of my very first posts here. Heh.

I've said this in the past but just to add, the Light in the Piazza orchestra was simply amazing, I remember wanting so badly to be able to tell them how amazing they were...and the instrument players in Bernarda Alba, particularly the oboist/English horn player were so brilliant that sometimes it seemed like the play flowed to them, like they grabbed my focus, but should have because it was so great.

Of course, I've said this in various posts in the past but yeah...

Still love this thread!

[stephen3]

Posted: 1/23/07 at 12:30am

And we orchestra players love you for noticing us and being so kind. Sometimes we kinda feel like the bastard stepchild down there.

[broadwaybaby086]

Posted: 1/23/07 at 12:34am

As a musician, I always cheer on the pit (and into the pit)! But I feel awkward, lol. But if you guys appreciate it, I'll continue.

I feel that any pit at Studio 54 does extremely well, especially when the musicians are split between two boxes...phasing can be a serious problem, but they are always together. Bravo!

What other pits do/did I love? Wedding Singer, 'cause they were cool guys- albeit a bit too talkative/audible. Chicago. I remember being wowed by the Wonderful Town orchestra when I saw it two years ago. And yes, the Piazza orch was incredible. Keep up the good work! I hope to be in your stead one day...

[qwerty2]

Posted: 1/23/07 at 1:20am

I love the Pit Orchestra!

Did Les Mis and Into the Woods 3/4 years ago.

Definitely major props to all on Broadway and on Tour! *And where ever else in the world!

I always hang out for the exit music, because everyone just improvises!

What do you guys think of the pit members in rooms though?

I play percussion, and I know that a lot of perc. members on Broadway are in little rooms.

Never tried it... Might be fun?

[Eastwickian]

Posted: 1/23/07 at 8:19am

Just joining in with the orchestra-love - I've played in a few pits and it can be such great fun. I always stick around for the exit music as well, usually to the embarrassment/irritation of whoever I'm with at the time, just to give the orchestra their own applause for their efforts.

My favourite at the moment has to be the pin-sharp Guys and Dolls orchestra in London who, playing the winderful new arrangements, knock the score out of the park.

[brainpolice23]

Posted: 1/23/07 at 8:48am

There's nothing that can get your chops up better than playing in a pit. If you're a reed player, like myself, you often have to play 3+ instruments in a show (flute, clarinet family, sax family) which is incredibly difficult given the different embouchures for each instrument, but incredibly rewarding.

One of my wind symphony conductors played in the pit for sweet charity, thoroughly modern millie, fosse, and many others. The guy is a beast of a player, and is always telling great stories about his experiences. In Fosse, for example, part of the band was on stage and part was in the pit. So, they had to use a system where they could make sure that the sound would reach the audience at the same time. So each orchestra member had a click-track going in their ears, and there was a huge light fixture that worked as a metronome in the pit. He said it was one of the craziest experiences in his musical life.

"I've never seen anyone get fired for playing a wrong note. But I've seen plenty of people get axed for having poor time and poor intonation."

[jasobres]

Posted: 1/23/07 at 9:07am

^^ Who said that?

[James885]

Posted: 1/23/07 at 9:26am

Major props to all orchestras!

I played clarinet in the orchestra for The Music Man and Raisin a few years ago so I know how little recognition they sometimes get.

I would LOVE to play in the orchestra for Sweeney Todd one day. It would certainly be challenging, but those original orchestrations, especially the woodwind parts, sound so cool. The end of The Ballad Of Sweeney Todd comes to mind.

[broadwaybaby086]

Posted: 1/23/07 at 11:45am

Yeah, I wait 'til the end of the exit music, too, to give an awkward cheer/round of applause for the pit musicians. They're so underappreciated. It (usually) comes off with such ease, but playing in a pit is so difficult! I mean, I've never done anything professional so this could just be a result of that, but the sheer effort of coordinating everyone with whatever is going on onstage is ridiculous. Especially that run-through with the pit and the actors....eek. I hope that the professional actors have a better grasp of tempo and rhythm than those in the productions for which I've played. lol, Hey we're trying to follow you, but be reasonable. Also, try not to stare at the conductor THE ENTIRE TIME. hehe.

I feel like I know what a click track is, but I'm not entirely sure. Is it basically just a metronome fed into earpieces/headphones for all of the musicians? I often watched the musical director in Wedding Singer (as I was usually seated in a prime pit-viewing zone) to see what was going on/learn; that show was on a click-track...lots of computers down there!

[RuprechtJr.]

Posted: 1/23/07 at 6:20pm

Does anyone know the reductions to the pits for "Les Miserables" Revival and "Light in the Piazza" Tour? I know their orchestrations, and "Light..." doesn't seem like it could get smaller:

Woodwind I (Oboe, English Horn, Bb Clarinet)
Woodwind II (Bassoon, Contrabassoon)
Percussion
Guitars/Cymbals
Piano
Harp
Six Violins
Two Violoncellos
Double Bass

I'm going to see the tour in a month. Hope the fullness isn't lost!

Edit: That's right. I forgot he said he finagled the Lincoln Center into giving him the lush sounds of eight string players (discounting the bass player) which would entail six violins instead of four. Sorry!
Updated On: 1/23/07 at 06:20 PM

[Josh Freilich]

Posted: 1/23/07 at 6:33pm

At first, I would just say, respect to all the musicians and how vital they are to Broadway and I wish I could listen to them all day, even after when the show's over. But now that I'm a member of Local 802, I can now say... I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO FLATTERED IN ALL MY LIFE. I think I can speak for the entire musician community how happy this makes me. Thanks for finally putting up an orchestra thread.

And, RuprechtJr., there were six violins in LitP, not just four.

[aspiringactress]

Posted: 1/23/07 at 6:55pm

I would love playing in a pit. I play cello, and nothing compares to the feeling of everyone playing together when you can tell everyone is really feeling the music.

[Caitlin]

Posted: 1/23/07 at 9:28pm

I just wanted to say I am so glad this thread exists. I hate how no one ever seems to really notice the orchestra.

I want to send a special cheer of approval and appreciation out to all the Broadway bassoonists! Playing bassoon for Sweeny and West Side were two of the scariest events of my life and I am an actor.