soloists
Stars without backup
Soloists are performers who play or sing alone, either unaccompanied or as the featured voice above an ensemble.
The term appears most often in classical music, where a soloist performs a concerto with an orchestra, but extends to jazz, ballet, and other arts: The soloists took their bows after the concerto.
Solo-and-orchestra composition
- cadenzaExtended solo passage
- virtuosoSupremely accomplished performer
- orchestraLarge instrumental ensemble
- accompanimentSupplementary support element
recital · aria · diva · prima donna · maestro · conservatory · repertoire · bravura
Chief school administrator
- prima ballerinaLead female in ballet
- variationChange from a norm
- spotlightConcentrated illumination source
- corps de balletBallet's ensemble performers
choreography · center stage · adagio · pirouette · arabesque · interpretation · artistry · Baryshnikov
Lead performer of group
- lead singerBand's main vocalist
- spotlightConcentrated illumination source
- microphoneAudio input device
- stage presencePerformer's commanding aura
headliner · vocalist · diva · star · performer · backup band · acoustic set · unplugged
Spontaneous, unplanned creation
- jazzImprovisational American music genre
- virtuosityExceptional technical skill
- lead guitarMelody-playing rock role
- saxophoneReed instrument, brass body
trumpet · piano · unaccompanied · riff · lick · technique · shredding · bebop
One who values autonomy
- lone wolfSelf-reliant individualist
- independentFree from external control
- self-reliantAble to provide independently
- maverickIndependent-minded rule-breaker
trailblazer · autonomous · unaccompanied · going alone · singular · standout · breakaway · self-made
concerto
Solo-and-orchestra composition
- cadenzaExtended solo passage
- virtuosoSupremely accomplished performer
- orchestraLarge instrumental ensemble
accompaniment · recital · aria · diva · prima donna · maestro · conservatory · repertoire · bravura · encore
principal
Chief school administrator
- prima ballerinaLead female in ballet
- variationChange from a norm
- spotlightConcentrated illumination source
corps de ballet · choreography · center stage · adagio · pirouette · arabesque · interpretation · artistry · Baryshnikov · Nureyev
frontman
Lead performer of group
- lead singerBand's main vocalist
- spotlightConcentrated illumination source
- microphoneAudio input device
stage presence · headliner · vocalist · diva · star · performer · backup band · acoustic set · unplugged · encore
improvisation
Spontaneous, unplanned creation
- jazzImprovisational American music genre
- virtuosityExceptional technical skill
- lead guitarMelody-playing rock role
saxophone · trumpet · piano · unaccompanied · riff · lick · technique · shredding · bebop · cadence
individualist
One who values autonomy
- lone wolfSelf-reliant individualist
- independentFree from external control
- self-reliantAble to provide independently
maverick · trailblazer · autonomous · unaccompanied · going alone · singular · standout · breakaway · self-made · pioneer
- Bulgarian Singingchoral music, vocal ensembles, polyphony, traditional songs, wedding songs
- performing artsacting, dance, music, drama, theater
- French MusicEdith Piaf, chanson, French jazz, French pop, Debussy
- keyboard playerspianist, pianists, organist, organists, harpsichordists
- theaterplays, stage, play, onstage, acting
- orchestrassymphony orchestra, chamber orchestra, philharmonic, string ensemble, sinfonietta
soloistsensembles
Coordinated groups or attire
chorus · choirs · choristers · orchestras · choruses