An Orchestra Adventure

A four-part online series

An Orchestra Adventure (with Maestro Karl and friends)

Join the Calgary Philharmonic and Associate Conductor Karl Hirzer for a fun and educational tour of the Orchestra! This four-part online series takes kids on a musical journey through the four sections that make up a symphony orchestra: woodwinds, strings, brass, and percussion.

Along the way, they'll encounter different instruments and some of the musicians who play them, as well as take a few side trips to discover interesting facts about music and famous composers.

This series of four 15-minute episodes is perfect for parents and educators who want to share the symphony orchestra experience with children and spark a life-long love of classical music.

Webisode 1

Wondrous Woodwinds

In our first instalment, kids discover the unique characteristics of the clarinet, flute, bassoon, and oboe — and learn about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s short but fascinating life.

Webisode 2

Sensational Strings

In the second instalment, Maestro Karl discovers interesting facts about the instruments of the biggest section of the Orchestra — violin, viola, cello, and double bass — and takes a trip back in time to learn more about composer Johann Sebastian Bach.

Webisode 3

Brilliant Brass

In this webisode, we take a tour through the instruments in the brass family, including trumpet, horn, trombone, and tuba. This is not only the shiniest section of the orchestra, but it can also be the loudest. We'll learn some fun facts about the life of Beethoven, a composer who overcame his hearing loss and changed the course of music history.

Webisode 4

Playful Percussion

In our final instalment of An Orchestra Adventure (with Maestro Karl and friends), we'll explore the percussion section (triangle, cymbals, timpani, bass drum, and more!) and enjoy a special visit from Music Director Rune Bergmann.

Additional Resources

Glossary of Musical Terms

Are you wondering what a ‘maestro’ is, or what it means to play in ‘harmony’? You can find these answers and more in this handy document including definitions for some of the musical terms you hear in this series.

Activity Workbook

Test your knowledge of musical terms from the four instalments of ‘An Orchestra Adventure (with Maestro Karl and friends)! Perfect for classrooms, this workbook comes with fill-in-the-blanks, crosswords, word searches, and more.

School Visits!

Bring music to your classroom! Throughout the school year, we’re providing convenient and accessible experiences featuring Calgary Phil musicians! To learn more, see our School Visits page.

Sponsors

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