������̳

An orchestra is a large musical ensemble that includes instruments from four families of instruments.

They are:

• the string section
• the woodwind section
• the brass section
• the percussion section

An orchestra can have up to 100 players or more. They're led by one person, called a conductor, who makes sure they all play at the correct time.

Each instrument in an orchestral family are related to each other and played in a similar way.

Watch musicians from the ������̳ Philharmonic Orchestra play and talk about their different instruments.

The conductor stands at the front of the orchestra and directs the players how to play the music.

The notes the players should play are written down on the music, but it's the conductor who tells them in what way to play it.

The conductor decides how fast or slow, loud or soft, spiky or smooth the music will be played.

The conductor holds a baton and moves it up and down to direct the speed of the music. The players should be watching the conductor to know exactly when to play. The baton helps all of the players to be able to see the conductor.

The orchestra can play very soft music and very loud music.

Have a listen to these two pieces of orchestral music, to discover how the orchestra can play in very different ways.

You can learn more about Hans Zimmer and Leonard Bernstein with ������̳ Ten Pieces.