See how the number of orchestra members increased from the Baroque period through the Classical, up to the Romantic. You can print each orchestra seating chart.

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...

At this resource listen to a selection of audio clips that feature the works of a full range of composers and a full orchestra of instruments. Scroll down an alphabetical list to find the composer or instrument you want, then choose the...

Use this resource to learn about the percussion family of the orchestra. The triangle is part of this group of instruments. Use RealAudio or Windows Media Player to hear the triangle on its own and with the orchestra.

Have you ever wondered what those big bowl shaped drums were? They are timpani. Use this resource to learn more about them and the percussion family of the orchestra. Use RealAudio or Windows Media Player to listen to the timpani play...

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.

Castanets are a percussion instruments. Read more about them at this resource. Use this resource to learn more about the percussion family of the orchestra. Use RealAudio or Windows Media Player to hear castanets play with the orchestra.

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...

Read more about the saxophone, and the characteristics of the woodwind family. Use RealAudio or Windows Media Player to hear the saxophone play with the orchestra.

Read about the woodwind family and how it is divided. Learn about the piccolo and how it is played. Use RealAudio or Windows Media Player to listen to the piccolo on its own and with the orchestra.

Learn about the oboe and how it is played. Read more about the woodwind family. Use RealAudio or Windows Media Player to hear the oboe on its own or with the orchestra.

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...

Use this resource to learn about the English horn and read about the woodwind family. Use ReadAudio or Windows Media Player to hear the English Horn by itself and with the orchestra.

Use this resource to learn about the clarinet, and the characteristics of the woodwind family. Use RealAudio or Windows Media Player to hear the clarinet alone and with the orchestra.

Use this resource to learn about the bass clarinet, and read about the woodwind family. Use RealAudio or Windows Media Player to hear the bass clarinet on its own and with the orchestra.

The double bass is the largest string instrument, and is the bass member of the family. Read about how to play this instruments and how it works. Use Windows Media Player or RealAudio to listen to samples of the double bass on it's own...

Joseph Haydn (1732-1809 CE) joined the choir at the Cathedral of St. Stephen at age eight. Use this resource to learn about how he became a composer, and about his works. Listen to the third movement of Symphony #97 using RealAudio...

This resource describes how William Grant Still (1895-1978 CE) started out playing the violin and then began teaching himself to play other string instruments as well as the oboe, clarinet, and saxophone. His most famous work is...

Read about how the viola fits into the string family of musical instruments. Use RealAudio or Windows Media Player to listen to samples of the viola solo and with the orchestra. There are also pictures of the viola. Does it look like...

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.

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...

Use this resource to learn about the harp, find out how it is played and see pictures. Use RealAudio or Windows Media Player to listen to the harp play with the rest of the orchestra.

Read about the cello, the tenor member of the string family. Use Windows Media Player or RealAudio to listen to three samples if the cello on its own and with the orchestra. Pictures of the instrument are also provided.

If you have seen "Jaws," "ET-the Extraterrestrial," "Star Wars" trilogy and prequel, or "Indiana Jones," you have heard this composer's work. Read more about his life and work. Listen to his music using RealAudio or Windows Media Player.