THE ORCHESTRA GAMES
The Orchestra Games continues to be programmed year after year!
The Orchestra Games follows the framework of the Olympics and is the ultimate “get to know the instruments” work for family and educational concerts. It goes beyond basic instrument descriptions by exploring the capabilities and personalities of each instrument.
The work begins with a ceremonial introduction of the competing teams. Namely, the strings, woodwinds, and brass. The percussion section does the judging and the narrator officiates. It then sprints through an array of events such as:
the low-note limbo
the glissando slide for life
the fast note dash
the marathon
and many others
The various events zero in on the strengths and weaknesses of orchestral instruments while keeping the audience happily engaged in friendly competition.
Instrumentation: 3(pic),2,2,2 - 4,3,3,1 - Timp + 2, Harp, Strings, Narrator*
*The Orchestra Games is often narrated by local sports celebrities, announcers, and community figures.
Timing: 27 minutes (length adaptable)
The Orchestra Games was commissioned and premiered by Marin Alsop as part of the 1995 Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music.
“The Orchestra Games” by Gregory Smith, taught us everything while keeping our attention with a beautifully written score that had an orchestration that Ravel (one of the greatest orchestrators of them all) would have been proud to call his own. “The Orchestra Games,” narrated from memory by the composer, dressed in a running suit and sounding as if he were having the time of his life, introduced us to all the sections of the orchestra, told a charming story that made the instruments come alive, and kept the kids at the edges of their seats.
Clever, entertaining, charming and fun, Smith’s work is becoming a staple of the youth concert circuit. It’s a terrific piece and never condescends to anyone, including the superb musicians who played it with precision and understanding.”
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