ORCHESTRA
My Uncle Bill (Wilson Sawyer) was a symphony conductor and composer. Thus, ORCHESTRA was an early word in my vocabulary, and I can’t remember a time in my life when music wasn’t a central joy. I wasn’t very old when I realized that to be a good musician you have to have a gift of physical coordination. Evidently, when I signed up for that particular attribute, I wound up at the end of the serving line, but I have discovered that appreciation doesn’t necessarily depend on ability.
ORCHESTRA, the word, is extremely old. Now that surprises me. I would have guessed that it was relatively new, needing, of course, the invention of a large variety of musical instruments before anything to do with ORCHESTRA music could take place. However, the word ORCHESTRA has roots in the Greek word orcheisthai, which means to dance. Orcheisthai has its root in the very, very ancient IndoEuropean word base er- which means swift movement.
So there we go back to coordination! Nonetheless, isn’t ORCHESTRA a wonderful example of a Wild Word?
If you could play any instrument in an ORCHESTRA with great ability and virtuosity, which would it be? (I think I lean toward the violin, but maybe the piano.)
Blessings!
Sue
Sue I would choose Xylophone in place of the steel guitar which is favourite of mine.
My favourite instrument without question is the piano. I never learned to play it well, but instead of playing much I enjoyed directing a church choir for 14 years. Two of my daughters play piano extremely well and I love to hear them on the keys. I have several musical relatives but I don’t think any ever played in an orchestra, although one cousin has had a successful career as lead singer of a classic rock group.