Orchestral Skills for Violinists

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1. 1

   What is a primary responsibility of the concertmaster in an orchestra?

   A Leading the first violins and helping coordinate section bowings B Conducting every rehearsal from within the violin section C Assigning all wind and brass parts before each concert
2. 2

   The illustrated violin passage is marked “div.” What should the section do?

   

   A Every violinist should play both notes as double stops B The section should divide the notes between players or desks C Only the concertmaster should play the passage
3. 3

   What does “tutti” normally indicate after a divisi passage?

   A The passage should continue without vibrato B The inside players should stop playing C All players should resume the complete written line
4. 4

   At a shared orchestral music stand, who generally handles a necessary page turn?

   A The inside player B The outside player C Whichever player has the higher notes
5. 5

   What is the best tool for recording conductor changes in an orchestral violin part?

   A A permanent ink marker B A soft, erasable pencil C A brightly colored paint pen
6. 6

   What is the main purpose of the small cue notes shown near the end of a long violin rest?

   

   A They must always be played at half volume B They replace the violin entrance with an improvised passage C They help the violinist recognize another part and locate the entrance
7. 7

   The illustrated multimeasure rest displays the number 12. How many complete measures should the violinist count before the next written measure?

   

   A 12 measures B 6 measures C 11 beats
8. 8

   How does the boxed rehearsal letter shown in the score help an orchestra?

   

   A It specifies which string must be used B It provides a shared location reference for rehearsal C It identifies the pitch to which the orchestra tunes
9. 9

   What information does a conductor's preparatory gesture communicate before an orchestral violin entrance?

   A Only the pitch of the first note B Only the number of players who should enter C The timing, tempo, and character of the entrance
10. 10

    After a passage marked “pizz.”, the illustrated part shows “arco.” What should the violinist do?

    

    A Resume playing with the bow B Continue plucking the strings C Play only with the wooden side of the bow
11. 11

    What does “con sord.” instruct an orchestral violinist to do?

    A Play near the bridge without using vibrato B Attach a mute and play with it C Use a practice bow for the passage
12. 12

    When should a violinist ideally prepare a mute needed later in an orchestral movement?

    A Only after the first muted note has already begun B During the quietest note of an exposed solo C During a suitable rest, quietly and before the muted entrance
13. 13

    What technique is requested by the illustrated unmeasured tremolo notation?

    

    A Very rapid repeated bow strokes on the written pitch B A slow slide between two written pitches C Alternating bowed notes with left-hand pizzicato
14. 14

    If a printed bowing conflicts with the bowing established by the concertmaster, what should a section violinist generally do?

    A Keep the printed bowing regardless of the section B Follow and mark the established section bowing C Choose a different bowing every time the passage repeats
15. 15

    The illustrated two-note passage is marked “non div.” What is expected when the intervals are playable on the violin?

    

    A Alternate the upper and lower notes on successive beats B Divide the two notes between neighboring players C Each player performs both notes as double stops
16. 16

    The conductor makes a clear closing gesture at the end of a sustained chord. What should the violin section do?

    

    A Release the sound together at the indicated moment B Begin the next passage without waiting for a beat C Individually fade out whenever each player runs out of bow
17. 17

    The instruction “sul G” appears above the illustrated violin phrase. What does it require?

    

    A Tune the G string during the phrase B Play the phrase on the G string C Emphasize every written G pitch
18. 18

    In a first violin section part, what does a clearly marked “solo” passage usually indicate?

    A Every violinist should play more loudly than the orchestra B The entire section should improvise separate melodies C A designated individual, normally the principal player, performs the line