Orchestra
An orchestra is an instrumental ensemble, usually fairly large with string, brass, woodwind sections, and possibly a percussion section as well. The term orchestra derives from the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus. The orchestra grew by accretion throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, but changed very little in composition during the course of the twentieth century.
A smaller sized orchestra for this time period (of about fifty players or fewer) is called a chamber orchestra.
A full size orchestra (about 100 players) may sometimes be called a “symphony orchestra” or “philharmonic orchestra”.
