A pit orchestra is a type of orchestra

Orchestra

An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...

 that accompanies performers in musicals, operas, and other shows involving music. In performances of opera

Opera

Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...

s and ballet

Ballet

Ballet is a type of performance dance, that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century, and which was further developed in France and Russia as a concert dance form. The early portions preceded the invention of the proscenium stage and were presented in large chambers with...

s, the pit orchestra is typically similar in size to a symphony orchestra, though it may contain smaller string and brass sections, depending upon the piece. Such orchestras may vary in size from approximately 30 musicians (early Baroque and Classical Opera) to as many as 90-100 musicians (Wagnerian Opera). However, because of financial, space, and volume concerns, the musical theatre

Musical theatre

Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining songs, spoken dialogue, acting, and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an...

 pit orchestra is considerably smaller (at most 20-30 musicians, including not more than ten string players). Typically, pit orchestras play in a lowered area in front of the stage called an orchestra pit

Orchestra pit

An orchestra pit is the area in a theater in which musicians perform. Orchestral pits are utilized in forms of theatre that require music or in cases when incidental music is required...

. Inside the pit, the conductor stands towards the stage and with his or her back towards the audience to coordinate the music with the actions of the singers

Singing

Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...

, dancers and actors

Acting

Acting is the work of an actor or actress, which is a person in theatre, television, film, or any other storytelling medium who tells the story by portraying a character and, usually, speaking or singing the written text or play....

, while the orchestra sits facing the conductor and audience. The conductor may also sit at a keyboard (or two) and conduct as well as play. This is often the case when a show only requires a small orchestra, or on national tours, where the instrumentation is often reduced from the original arrangement and one or two keyboard players substitute for several instruments.

Music parts for pit orchestra woodwind players in musical theatre are normally divided into "Reed Books". Orchestration varies with each show based on the type of music that will be performed, such as jazz, classical, or blues. For example, a Reed 1 Book may contain music for Piccolo, Flute, Eb Alto Saxophone, Bb Clarinet, and/or Oboe. A musician handed a Reed Book would be expected to play each part. Because the musician plays so many different instruments, he or she is referred to as a "doubler" (even though the Reed Books may have up to five instruments each).

Pit orchestra examples

Pit orchestras can range from large orchestras to small rock combos. While a pit orchestra usually plays in the orchestra pit, there are times when they are on stage in the background (this is usually for rock musicals). Below are two examples of pit orchestras, from Bye Bye Birdie and Godspell

Godspell

Godspell is a musical by Stephen Schwartz and John-Michael Tebelak. It opened off Broadway on May 17, 1971, and has played in various touring companies and revivals many times since, including a 2011 revival now playing on Broadway...

.
Bye Bye Birdie (orchestration according to Tams-Witmark, the company that holds the Bye Bye Birdie license)

• 3 Violins (three people are needed to play violin)
• 2 Cellos (two people are needed to play cello)
• Bass
• Reed 1: Alto sax, clarinet, flute, piccolo
• Reed 2: Alto sax, clarinet
• Reed 3: Tenor sax, clarinet
• Reed 4: Clarinet, bass clarinet, baritone sax
• Horn
• Trumpets 1 & 2
• Trumpet 3
• Trombone 1
• Trombone 2
• Piano
• 2 Percussion 1 & 2 (trap drum set and mallet instruments; one plays drums and the other plays mallet instruments)
• Guitar/Banjo
• Total players: 20 players

Godspell (orchestration according to Music Theatre International, the company that holds the Godspell license)

• Bass
• Drums
• Guitar
• Total players: 3 players