Meet the Instruments Learning Resources
Watch and learn about an instrument from each of the orchestra families.
Get hands-on with some instrument games and activities. Online musical games:
Offline crafts and activities:
DIY Brass Instruments
High to Low Worksheet
You are a musician!
PLAYLISTS Listen to more music from the program including playlists that feature specific instrument families!
MEET THE INSTRUMENTS! 2022 FULL PLAYLIST
THE STRING FAMILY
THE PERCUSSION FAMILY
THE WOODWIND FAMILY
THE BRASS FAMILY
BOLERO - MAURICE RAVEL
The famous Bolero is a melody all musicians know and soon, you will too! Maurice Ravel wrote Bolero with the idea of pushing artistic boundaries. Instead of crafting a melody that would “go anywhere” and change throughout the piece, he challenged himself to make it insistent and very long, building in a slow crescendo (increase in volume) throughout the different families of the orchestra. The original piece is about 15 minutes long, with the same melody repeating over and over. Listen to each of the orchestra families join one at a time during this piece.
LEVEE DANCE - CLARENCE CAMERON WHITE
Clarence Cameron White was a black 19th century composer and violinist. During his lifetime, he was particularly successful as a violinist. Levee Dance was brought into popularity when it was performed and recorded by Jascha Heifitz, another very well-known 19th century violinist. Listen to the string family during this piece and shake your body like their vibrating strings.
TOCCATA (SABRE DANCE) - SUSAN MCDONALD
This piece of music is written by Susan McDonald, a world famous harp player who in addition to composing music, founded the USA National Harp Competition which still runs every year in Bloomington, IN. Toccata is a piece that highlights the wide range and beautiful tone of the orchestral harp. Play your pretend harp as you listen.
GALLIARD BATTAGLIA - SAMUEL SCHEIDT
This piece is played by a brass ensemble. Galliard Battaglia is written using the sounds of battle as inspiration. Shining trumpet lines, warm horn tones, and bold brassy interjections orchestrated in a “call and response” format characterize this piece of music. Watch and listen to the brass on different sides of the audience - you can close your eyes and point to where the sound is coming from.
RONDO ALLA TURCA - W. A. MOZART
Mozart’s Turkish March usually features the piano, but today you will hear the music played by the woodwind family! This melody reflects elements of a Turkish military band and is one of the most recognizable pieces of music written by Mozart. This lively tune is written in rondo format, which means that each section of the music is repeated at a later time. Listen to the woodwind family and pay attention to when you hear the melody repeating!
THE STRINGS ON THE BASS - VERNA HILL
A play on the popular children’s tune, The Wheels on the Bus written by Verna Hill, The Strings on the Bass is just as much fun with an orchestral twist! Listen closely to hear other tunes you might know such as the popular wedding tune, Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, Dvorak’s New World Symphony, or Beethoven’s famous fifth symphony. Sing along with the orchestra.
THE NEW WORLD SYMPHONY - ANTONIN DVORAK
Antonin Dvorak was a Czech composer who came to New York City in 1892. In awe of the tall buildings and bustling city, he was inspired to write the New World Symphony which creates imagery in the listener’s head of the “new world”. Pretend to play the English Horn and then listen to this beautiful instrument.
BLACKBERRY BLOSSOM - AMERICAN TRADITIONAL Blackberry Blossom is a traditional American fiddle tune most likely originating in either West Virginia or Kentucky in the late 1800s. As with many folk tunes, Blackberry Blossom was passed down from musician to musician through whistling, singing, and playing instruments. Over time, the melody changed and each artist interpreted it a little differently; today there are around 13 recognized versions of this tune. We'll be joined by Mike Jagel from Swallow Hill Music during this piece.
TOCCATA - MONTIVERDI
Montiverdi wrote this piece of music for the 17th century opera, L’orfeo, and intended the piece to be played “three times before the curtain is to rise”. The first time through only a small group plays, but by the last repeat the whole orchestra is performing. Sometimes the trumpets and trombones are above the audience in a balcony and occasionally the opera characters walk through the audience to get on stage during this piece. Check out some unique trumpets as you listen.
CRUSHIN' ON PERCUSSION - DAN LEAVITT
Written by Inside the Orchestra’s own amazing conductor, Dan Leavitt, Crushin’ on Percussion is all about percussion instruments! Trading out their standard instruments, the musicians of the orchestra play instruments including the wood block, shaker, flexatone, cow bell, and claves. Join us on your own body percussion instruments.
ALBORADO FROM CAPRICCIO ESPAGNOLE - N. RIMSKY-KORSOKOV
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsokov was born in Russia and was never able to travel to Spain, but nevertheless, he was enchanted by traditional Spanish melodies. He wove characteristics of Spanish folk melodies into the opening section of the Capriccio Espagnol which is called Alborado. The Alborado is a lively morning dance meant call the audience's attention. Listen to the families of the orchestra all together now and tap along.
FAMILY MADRIGAL - GERMAINE FRANCO
You may recognize this piece of music from the popular Disney movie, Encanto. This piece was written by Lin-Manuel Miranda who has had many hits in recent years, including Hamilton and songs from Moana. There are many characteristics of Colombian music in this music. Dance and sing along with the orchestra.