Meet the Orchestra!

Imagine a football team — each player has a different job, but they all work together to win the game. An orchestra is like that, but with music! Sometimes more than 80 musicians share one stage. They all play at the same time, following one leader called the conductor. How do you think the conductor keeps everyone together? Think about it for a moment before we dive in.

The orchestra is split into four sections. Each section makes sound in a different way. **1. Strings** Strings are usually the largest section. Musicians play by drawing a bow — a long stick with horse hair stretched across it — across the strings, or by plucking them with a finger. You will find the violin, viola, cello, and double bass here. Violins play the highest notes; double basses play the lowest. **2. Woodwind** Woodwind instruments make sound when you blow air through them. Most have a thin piece of wood called a reed that vibrates when you blow. The flute, oboe, clarinet, and bassoon are all woodwind instruments. The flute has no reed — you blow across a hole instead. **3. Brass** Brass instruments are made of metal tubing that is coiled into different shapes. You buzz your lips into a cup-shaped mouthpiece to make the sound. The trumpet, French horn, trombone, and tuba belong here. Brass instruments can be very loud and powerful. **4. Percussion** Percussion instruments make sound when you hit or shake them. The timpani (large kettle drums), snare drum, xylophone, cymbals, and triangle are all percussion. The percussion section keeps the rhythm and adds drama to the music. In the concert hall, strings sit closest to the conductor, woodwind and brass sit behind them, and percussion is at the very back.