About the Orchestra

About the Orchestra

#Who sits where?

Orchestras sit in sections based on types of instruments.

Orchestras sit in sections based on types of instruments.


There are four main sections in a symphony orchestra:

• Strings
• Woodwinds
• Brass
• Percussion

Here is another view of our Orchestra:

Here is another view of our Orchestra:


Each section is wearing a different colour. Can you tell who is wearing each?

• Blue and Purple
• Red
• Yellow and Orange
• Green

Bonus – What instruments are the musicians in yellow and purple playing?

#The Sections:

Cello

Strings

String instruments produce sound by bowing or plucking stretched strings.

• First and Second Violins
• Viola
• Cello
• Double Bass
• Harp

clarinet

Woodwind

Wind instruments produce sound by being blown into.

• Flute / Piccolo
• Clarinet / Bass Clarinet
• Oboe / Cor Anglais
• Bassoon / Contrabassoon

trumpet

Brass

Brass players create sound by vibrating their lips. When this vibration is pushed through large brass tubes, it can create powerful noise.

• French Horn
• Trumpet
• Trombone / Bass Trombone
• Tuba

Drums

Percussion

These instruments create sound by being struck. Some instruments just make a sound; others can play particular notes.

Timpani, Bass Drum, Bongo Drums, Cymbals (China Cymbals, Small Cymbals, Large Cymbals, Sizzle Cymbal, Suspended Cymbal), Sandpaper Blocks, Snare Drum, Steel Spring, Tam Tam, Vibraphone, Vibraslap, Xylophone.

piano-keys

Keyboard

Keyboard instruments are played by pressing keys. Keyboard instruments are not always present in orchestra. QSO is lucky to perform in QPAC's Concert Hall where the Klais Grand Organ lives. This organ has 6,500 pipes!

• Piano
• Celesta
• Organ
• Harpsichord


#Discover

For those beginning their musical journey.

About the Orchestra

Orchestras sit in sections, based on types of instruments. Learn about the four main sections of a symphony orchestra, where they sit, and how their sounds are produced. This resource includes an activity and video interviews of QSO musicians from each section.

Drums

Peter and the Wolf - Education Resource

A childhood favourite, this education resource breaks down themes and instrument families while telling the story of Peter and the Wolf. This resource includes QSO's own digital concert recording. Recommended for P-Year 2.

music-note

Peter and the Wolf -
Digital Concert

QSO performs "Peter and the Wolf" by Sergei Prokofiev, narrated by QSO's own Vivienne Collier-Vickers. Recommended for P-Year 2.

Treble-Clef

Carnival of the Animals - Learning Resource

Explore Camille Saint-Saëns' fourteen short movements that represent an animal, a group of animals or a type of person! Recommended for Years 5-6.

Cello

The Little Gecko -
Digital Concert

QSO performs "The Little Gecko" by Australian composer Julian Yu, narrated by QSO's own Vivienne Collier-Vickers. Recommended for
P-Year 2.

Queensland Symphony Orchestra respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which the Orchestra works, plays, and creates music, and we pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.