Instruments of the Orchestra
A WebQuest for Grades 9-12 (Music)
Designed by
Esther Green
esmgreen@philasd.org
Introduction Task Process Evaluation Conclusion Credits Teacher Page
Your music teacher, Ms. Green, is taking your class to hear the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Kimmel Center. You’ve never been to a live orchestra performance. Before you attend the concert, you want to learn about the orchestral families, the instruments within each family, how they are made and played, how they sound, and how they are arranged. To discover all these things, you are going on a safari.
Your mission is to research the instruments of the orchestra.
1. Read about, and listen to the orchestral instruments.
2. Compare two instruments in one family using the Venn diagram.
3. Summarize the significant facts and characteristics, and tell how sound is produced in the four instrumental families using the Orchestra Worksheet.
4. Identify where the instruments are seated in the orchestra.
5. Make a PowerPoint slide of the two instruments you compared on the Venn diagram.
Before you go on the safari, just as you would for any trip you plan to go on, you must prepare yourself (map, pack clothes, etc.). Stop by the following websites to learn about the different families and their instruments.
1. Complete the Orchestra Family Worksheet. Check your spelling, grammar and punctuation. Email your completed work to egreenpa@gmail.com.
Click on Harp for the String Family.
http://www.orsymphony.org/edu/instruments/strings.aspx
Click on Oboe for Woodwind Family.
http://www.orsymphony.org/edu/instruments/woodwinds.aspx
Click on French Horn for Brass Family. http://www.orsymphony.org/edu/instruments/brass.aspx
Click on Timpani for Percussion Family. http://www.orsymphony.org/edu/instruments/percussion.aspx
Check out this website for listening examples of all the instruments:http://www.musictechteacher.com/quiz_help_instrument.htm.
2. Select two instruments in one family. Compare the instruments using the VENN DIAGRAM as the canvas for your report. Check your spelling, grammar and punctuation. Email the completed diagram to egreenpa@gmail.com .
Check out this website to listen to examples of the orchestral instruments: http://www.musictechteacher.com/quiz_help_instrument.htm.
3. Draw a diagram of the Orchestra Seating Plan as seen on the following website: Click here ® Seating Chart. Fill in the names of the instruments and where the conductor stands. Turn your work in at the end of this journey.
4. Create a timed powerpoint presentation (4- 6 slides). Include the following:
§ A Title Page with the names of your instruments, your name, date, and music period.
§ Three facts about your two instruments from the Venn diagram.
§ A picture of each instrument.
§ A sound clip of the instrumental family playing during the presentation.
§ Custom animation
§ Transitions for each slide.
§ Check your spelling, punctuation and grammar.
§ Save your presentation on your flashdrive to present to the class.
5. Do you think you’re ready to go on the safari? Test your knowledge first. Complete the following quizzes achieving a score of 90% or better.
6. Just one more thing before your safari. Play the Instrument Analogies game. Sink the pirate and win the game. Good luck!
7. You are now ready to go. Have fun! Click on Safari, sign in the local game, and you’re off !
http://www.orsymphony.org/edu/instruments/strings.aspx
http://www.orsymphony.org/edu/instruments/woodwinds.aspx
http://www.orsymphony.org/edu/instruments/percussion.aspx
http://www.orsymphony.org/edu/instruments/brass.aspx
http://www.musictechteacher.com/quiz_help_instrument.htm.
http://library.thinkquest.org/22673/orchestra.html
http://www.musictechteacher.com/aq_identify_instrument_families/quiz.htmhttp://www.musictechteacher.com/aq_identify_the_instruments/quiz.html
http://www.musictechteacher.com/quiz_instrument_analogies001.htm
http://listeningadventures.carnegiehall.org/ypgto/index.aspx
http://www.sfskids.org/templates/instorchframe.asp?pageid=3
Please complete the self-evaluation form and turn it in with your diagram of the orchestra seating arrangement. EVALUATION FORM
Did you enjoy yourself on the safari? By completing this webquest you are now familiar with the orchestra, the families and their characteristics, the instruments and how they all sound individually and collectively. You are now ready to go to the Kimmel Center and hear the renowned Philadelphia Orchestra. Enjoy the concert!
