This study describes in detail the preparation that must be done by aspiring orchestral horn players in order to be sufficiently ready for an orchestral audition. The general physical and mental preparation, through to the very specific elements that require attention when practicing and learning a list of orchestral excerpts that will be performed for an audition committee, is investigated. This study provides both the necessary tools and the insight borne of a number of years of orchestral experience that will enable a player to take a given excerpt and learn not only the notes and rhythms, but also discern many other subtleties inherent in the music, resulting in a full understanding and mastery thereof. Ten musical examples are included in order to illustrate the type of additional information that a player must gain so as to develop an in-depth knowledge of an excerpt. Three lists are presented within the text of this study: 1) a list of excerpts that are most commonly found at auditions, 2) a list of those excerpts that are often included and 3) other excerpts that have been requested but are not as commonly found. Also included is advice regarding the audition procedure itself, a discussion of the music required for auditions, and a guide to the orchestral excerpt books in which these passages can be found. / Dissertation (MMus)--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Music / unrestricted

This dissertation is the first study devoted solely to the history of an orchestral tradition in Christchurch. Within a timeframe stretching from the beginning of the local settlement to the establishment of the first “national” orchestra in 1939, it provides detailed portrayals of all facets of amateur and professional orchestral activity. This includes the histories of all orchestral bodies, their membership, a chronology of concerts, repertoire, programme structure and critical reception. This dissertation explains the advance of orchestral tradition that is at times tentative and at times bold, until it is securely entrenched as a mainstream musical activity in Christchurch. A preliminary narration, which begins in 1857, ends in 1906 with the International Exhibition. This is then discussed as a landmark event for orchestral music in Christchurch. A series of case studies for the period of 1908 to 1939, covers each of the five major orchestral groups that flourished in this period. The case studies also include the footprints of development, the “incidental” music performed by the cinema orchestras, and the “studio only” performances of many broadcasting groups. The role played by minor orchestral groups as an “alternative” music culture is included, along with the impact of orchestras associated with visiting opera companies. The final section is a detailed analysis of the repertoire and programme construction, and a discussion of the people who played an influential role in the development of an orchestral tradition. Numerous tables and illustrations are provided. A number of appendices are also attached: a chronology of orchestral concerts in Christchurch; some significant orchestra personnel lists; an extensive set of source readings discussing the formation of a permanent orchestra; a chronology of orchestral activity for a selection of Christchurch musicians; a timeline of visiting opera companies, and a selection of concert programmes.

Francisco Braga (1868-1945) fut une personnalité musicale très marquante en son temps : compositeur, chef d’orchestre, professeur, il occupa de nombreuses et importantes fonctions dans le scénario musical brésilien, qui assista à d’importantes transformations à partir du début du XXe siècle. Malgré son séjour de dix ans en Europe, ce compositeur demeure encore virtuellement méconnu à l’étranger ce qui s’avère être également vrai auprès des nouvelles générations de musiciens dans son pays natal. Cette thèse présente la biographie de Braga et l’analyse de quelques-unes de ses œuvres orchestrales. En examinant sa trajectoire dans les divers contextes musicaux, l’on sera en mesure de mieux déterminer la portée de son œuvre artistique. Un catalogue de ses compositions, ainsi que divers documents difficiles d’accès accompagnent ce travail. / Francisco Braga (1868-1945) has been a famous musician in his time: as composer, conductor and teacher, he held several and important positions in the Brazilian musical scenario, which suffered important changes from the beginning of the 20th century. Notwithstanding his ten-year period in Europe, he still remains virtually unknown to audiences abroad, a fact which proves to be also true among the new generations of musicians in his native country. This dissertation presents thus Braga’s biography as well as the analysis of some of his orchestral works. Examining his career within the various musical contexts, we shall be able to better apprehend the significance of his artistic output. Included are a catalog of his compositions and various selected documents.