Read Works
Read Works: Musical Instruments: The Symphony Orchestra
[Free Registration/Login Required] An informational text about the instruments in a symphony orchestra. A question sheet is available to help students build skills in reading comprehension.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Instrument Families of the Orchestra: Brass
A lesson that familiarizes students with the brass family of instruments in an orchestra. Students will identify each instrument by sight and sound, as well as, name the instruments in order from highest to lowest sound.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Instrument Families of the Orchestra: Woodwind
This lesson helps students identify the woodwind family of instruments in an orchestra by sight and sound. The students will also identify which instruments have a single reed, double reed, or contain no reed.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Instrument Families of the Orchestra: String
During this lesson students will learn to identify and name the instruments in the string family of the orchestra. Students will also order the string instruments from highest to lowest sound.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Trumpet
The trumpet has the highest pitch in the brass family. Read more about the trumpet and about the brass family of instruments in general when using this resource. Use RealAudio or Windows Media Player to listen to the trumpet by itself...
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Chimes
The chimes are the tall tube looking things in the orchestra. Read more about percussion instruments, the chimes in particular. Use RealAudio or Windows Media Player to listen to the chimes on their own and with the orchestra.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Xylophone
The xylophone is a percussion instrument that is tuned and has a keyboard shape. Use this resource to learn more about it and the other instruments in the percussion family. Use RealAudio or Windows Media Player to hear the xylophone by...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Instrument Families of the Orchestra: Percussion
In this lesson plan, students will learn to identify the percussion instruments in an orchestra by sight and sound. Students will also learn to group the percussion instruments into pitched and unpitched instruments.
Other
Beginning Band School Band and Orchestra Information
This is a great resource for beginning band and orchestra students. You will find informative articles, information about musical instruments and general advice about joining band and orchestra.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Tambourine
Use this resource to learn about the percussion family of the orchestra, the tambourine in particular. Learn what it is made of and how it is played. Use RealAudio or Windows Media Player to listen to the tambourine alone and with the...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Atlanta Symphony Orchestra: Live Exploration
Take a special trip to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra with GPB Education! This interactive virtual exploration offers students a behind-the-scenes experience as they learn about the science of sound and the preparation it takes to put on...
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Flute
Read about the flute, how it produces sound, and how it's made. Learn about the woodwind family and the differences in the divisions in the three branches of this family. Use RealAudio or Windows Media Player to hear the flute alone, and...
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Tuba
Read about the brass family, and the tuba in particular. Use RealAudio or Windows Media Player to listen to the tuba by itself and with the orchestra.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Orchestra Instruments
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart describes the various instrument families and the instruments that fit in each family. Sound files are attached to the instruments so that students can hear what each sounds like.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Timpani
A nice, factual encyclopedia entry from Wikipedia on the timpani. Discusses its origins, how it is played, how it is tuned, and its significance in an orchestra. Links are provided throughout the article for additional information.
Open Curriculum
Open Curriculum: Orchestral Instruments
To provide an introduction to orchestral instruments of the modern Western orchestra
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Piano
Read about keyboard instruments and the piano in particular. Use RealAudio or Windows Media Player to hear the piano alone and with the orchestra.
University of Michigan
University of Michigan: Instrument Encyclopedia: Clarinet
This article, providing general information on the clarinet -- "a very popular woodwind instrument which originated in Islamic and Asian countries" -- includes an image of a clarinet, several references for reading and research, and a...
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Teachers Lounge
Although this is considered a teachers lounge, it has many activities for students too. Teachers will love this because there are many lesson plans as well as other activities to do with their students.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Trombone
Did you know that the trombone has about nine feet of tubing in it? Read more about trombones and the rest of the brass family of the orchestra at this resouce.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Harpsichord
The harpsichord looks a little like a piano, but there are enough differences to place them in two different instrument groups even though both use keyboards. Use RealAudio or Windows Media Player to hear the harpsichord.