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What is an orchestra?

An orchestra is a group of musicians. It includes lots of instruments and sometimes up to 100 players.

Instruments in the group or ensemble include:

• Ones that you bow like a violin. This is called the string section.
• Ones that buzz like a trumpet. This is called the brass section.
• Ones that blow like the flute. This is called the woodwind section.
• Ones that you hit like the bass drum. This is called the percussion section.

Watch: Explore the instruments of the orchestra

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

Glossary

Here are the meanings of some important words.

Musical ensemble - A music group that includes many players.
Instrument - An object used to make sounds.
Section - The orchestra has four sections of instruments, called families: string, woodwind, brass and percussion.
Notes - Each different sound is called a note.
Valves - These are like keys on a trumpet, that you press down for different sounds.

Activity

Quiz