- Definition
An ensemble is simply a group of musicians playing or singing together.
A string quartet, with two violins, a viola, and a cello playing together, is a type of instrumental ensemble.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: An ensemble is like a sports team where each player has a different position but they all work together to play the game.
Ask your child: If you formed a band with friends, what instrument would each person play?
Common mix-up: Kids may think an ensemble is just any group of musicians. The key is that they practice and perform together as one unit, listening closely to each other.
Examples
- A community choir singing together in a concert is a vocal ensemble.
- A rock band with a singer, guitarist, bassist, and drummer is a small ensemble.
ensemble is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
