Symphona brings your orchestral roster to your pocket. No more searching through emails for roster spreadsheets 🥳
Get your invite ⤵️
22/06/2023
If you're a musician, you've no doubt had a pang of performance anxiety at one point or another. But how do you manage it?
Our friend over at Performance Under Pressure has some tips and we highly recommend you check them out if every you need. Mark also runs a stellar Facebook group where likeminded performers discuss this and other issues.
Check it out!
21/06/2023
It's easy to understand how planning seasons gets complicated, when using orchestra instrumentation!
In case you're new to the industry, or just interested, read on to learn more about orchestra instrumentation...
In order to outline which and how many instruments are required in a piece of music, a shorthand system is used. This shorthand follows the order of the instruments in the score, from top to bottom.
Here's a general breakdown of the groups:
Woodwind instruments: flutes, oboes, clarinets, and bassoons (including saxophones if needed).
Brass instruments: horns, trumpets, trombones, and tubas.
Percussion: timpani, snare drum, bass drum, chimes, and more.
Keyboard instruments: celesta, organ, and piano.
String instruments: harp, violins, violas, cellos, and basses (often abbreviated as 'str', 'strs', or similar).
If there are any soloists or a choir involved, their parts are usually printed between the percussion/keyboards and the strings in the score.
It's important to note that there's no standardized version of this shorthand. Different publishers and librarians may use different systems, particularly when it comes to doubling/alternate/additional instruments.
Examples of different notations exist, like the Chester Novello and Boosey & Hawkes versions. These notations provide concise representations of the instrumentation required for a specific piece of music.
So, next time you listen to a symphony, pay attention to the diverse combination of instruments and appreciate the complexity and beauty they bring to the music! 🎵✨
20/06/2023
Seeking an Orchestra Job? Here are three tips to help you land that dream opportunity! 🌟
1️⃣ Explore Local Orchestra Websites: Dive into the websites of your local orchestras to discover job openings and audition information. They often have dedicated sections where you can find career opportunities. 🌐
2️⃣ Network, Network, Network: Connect with fellow musicians, conductors, and music professionals in your area. Attend concerts, workshops, and events to expand your circle and gain valuable insights. You never know who might have the perfect lead for you! 🤝
3️⃣ Online Job Posting Boards: Musical Chairs is your go-to platform for classical musicians! 🎶 Head to musicalchairs.info/jobs for a comprehensive listing of orchestra job opportunities worldwide. Create a profile, set up job alerts, and stay updated with the latest openings. 🌍
Remember, perseverance is key. Keep refining your skills, attending auditions, and engaging with the music community. ✨🎶
19/06/2023
COMA FORUM! Don't miss your chance to present/workshop your original tunes with our expert panel.
Applications extended until Sunday 25 June
More info here https://www.coma.net.au/coma-forum
19/06/2023
Did you know we can help with more than just a Symphona account?
16/06/2023
Got a good deal going, or still have a couple of months before your contract renewal?
No problem! We'll match the offer you have and only charge from your contract renewal date 😎
15/06/2023
Want to know how easy it is to setup your orchestra in Symphona?
It's 4 steps - and each is quick and simple.
14/06/2023
It’s here! The 5th and final tip in my mini-series to make orchestra admin so much easier. It’s been so much fun putting these together and we hope they’ve helped.
Here we go with tip #5
When planning, use something like the Daniel's Orchestral Music Online database or the IMSLP Petrucci Music Library to plan your seasons and get scores. These libraries are the easiest way to quickly find instrumentation so you can begin rostering.
We said what we said. 🤷♀️
12/06/2023
We're holding our first workshop! Bring along your admin woes, meet fellow administrators and collaborate to find solutions.
Register here: www.bit.ly/SymphonaEventbrite
This is what having a consolidated schedule of rehearsals and performances for every ensemble you play with feels like.
10/06/2023
Don't forget those pesky school holidays coming up! Now is the time to send reminders home about any breaks you'll be taking over the term break.