What is an orchestra?
The Qxr blog tell us ” Generally speaking, an orchestra is a group of musicians who play music together. That’s it.” That’s important. That’s why we hear about symphony orchestra, chamber orchestra and nowadays we learn about a range of new instruments taking over. In the classical orchestras, there are specific instruments to be included. Now we see the clarinets, the extensive percussion section, bass instruments and others being part of the orchestra.
I think an orchestra is any group of musicians who get together to play some pretty structured forms of music. But then Bands and ensembles are not an orchestra. Tricky. Listen to Count Bassie and his orchestra He has no strings!! just the voice doing the impossible. 1914 he adds the bass. So there.
Music is so vital
Music is so vital. It’s the heart strings. when Yo-Yo Ma and Condoleezza Rice performed together at the Kennedy Center I am sure it was not purely political. As Rice pointed out she wanted to show mastery of Brahms . I interpreted that as saying she wanted to show she understood what he was saying in the music. It’s the same when a band of drummers get together to show mastery of their instrument as they interpret the music.
I always think of this video by FOLI. Tous les chose sont le riddim. [Everything is rhythm] A simple explanation refined to its heights by Bassidi Koné – Djembe Solo, August 2015 (Bamako, Mali). 
I started out by saying “Rockstar Mom Eleanor loves the orchestra”. I consider myself a Rockstar Mom. I have borne 2 and mothered 4. A Rockstar Mom is a Mom from all walks of life as she cares and nurtures her offspring.
Eleanor is also a lover of the orchestra. It stems from a knowledge of the harmony between riddim and sound. The Rastafari man says the fundeh drum is the heart beat. The Cuban drummer says the same. Having said this I am not necessarily supporting or arguing against the Beethoven was African argument which I have only this second come across. I speak for myself and hope the classical purists would agree on the satisfaction that come from that peculiar harmony and high , self expression and command best seen in the orchestra.
Join me as soon I will send out invitations to the launch of my latest book “Rockstar Mom: 7 Ways To Be The Greatest Mom Ever. The book comes with free giveaways and books with every purchase. More information can be found inside the book. Sign up so you will be with the firsts to get a copy!