When we think of music these days we imagine electric guitars and keyboards that are associated with rock bands. Either that or we picture X Factor winners blasting out the latest ballad. But outside of modern pop music, there is another world of musical creation in the forms of classical music and orchestral music.
When we think of the classical music, perhaps one of the first things that comes to mind is the sight of a full orchestra performing an epic showcase. To some, this is music at its finest with instrumental ensembles such as the London Symphony Orchestra or the London Philharmonic Orchestral providing enjoyable entertainment. Both the terms symphony and philharmonic are often used to describe orchestras, sometimes to distinguish between different orchestras in a similar area rather than for any fundamental difference.
An orchestra is an ensemble of musicians that encompass string sections, woodwind sections, brass and percussion. Full orchestras can include any numbers of people but can be around 100 players with a smaller orchestra (or chamber orchestra) taking up 50 players.