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makingmusic musician classroom visitS
Individual LO musicians visit classrooms to play their instrument, demonstrate musical concepts, discuss their background, and participate in a Q&A. Share the below video with your students and schedule a musician visit today!
Audience: Grades K–5 | Cost: $275 *
Teaching Guide & Student Activities
* During the 2024-25 school year, JCPS elementary schools A-J receive a complimentary musician visit for grades 4-5. These schools (and JCPS schools K-Z) and all non-JCPS schools may request additional visits for other grades and/or with different musicians at program cost. (Grades K-5)
MUSICIAN CLASSROOM VISIT PREP
Louisville Orchestra Director of Education & Community Partnerships, Sarah Lempke O’Hare, briefly summarizes LO musicians’ visits to elementary school classrooms. Please share this video with your students in advance of the musicians’ presentations.
the amazing instruments of the orchestra
Our instrument demo series features LO musicians demonstrating what makes their instrument unique and the role they play In the orchestra. Consider using these videos to complement and enrich music education instruction throughout the school year. They are also a great resource for students interested in playing an instrument in the future!
TOPICS INCLUDE: Instrument construction, how each is played and produces sound, interesting techniques, and excerpts of traditional and alternative music.
THE ROLE OF THE CONDUCTOR
Music Director Teddy Abrams explains the role of the conductor and the tools he uses to lead the orchestra. Terms introduced: Ictus, Rhythm, Score, Baton, and more.
THE AMAZING VIOLA
Assistant Principal/Acting Co-Principal Violist Evan Vicic explains the role of the viola in the orchestra and how he uses parts of the instrument to hold, tune, and play a wide range of musical genres. Terms introduced: Bourrée, Glissando, Melody, and more.
THE AMAZING CONTRABASSOON
Bassoonist Francisco Joubert Bernard demonstrates the similarities (and differences) between the bassoon and the biggest instrument in the woodwind family, the contrabassoon. Terms introduced: Octave, Baroque Era, Chromatic Scale, and more.
THE AMAZING ENGLISH HORN
Jennifer Potochnic introduces this lesser-known member of the woodwind family, the English Horn, and demonstrates the instrument’s unique timbre. Terms introduced: Range, Bocal, Double Reed, and more.
THE AMAZING CLARINET & BASS CLARINET
Clarinetist Ernest Gross playfully demonstrates the unique characteristics of the B-Flat Clarinet and it’s bigger, deeper cousin, the Bass Clarinet. Terms introduced: Al Niente, Concerto, Octave, and more.
THE AMAZING HARP
Harpist Rachel Miller introduces the Concert-Grand Pedal Harp and its unique role in the orchestra. From instrument construction to a demonstration of how the harp’s pedals can alter the pitch of a note, learn the basics of this elegant string instrument. Terms introduced: Pitch (flat, natural, sharp), Cadenza, Character, and more.
THE AMAZING VIOLIN
Violinist Maria Semes explores the fundamentals of music and the techniques used to change the sound of her instrument. Listen to how different sounds can affect our emotions and response to music. Terms introduced: Shifting, Tempo, Dynamics, Scale, and more.
AMAZING KEYBOARD PERCUSSION
Percussionist Matthew Hawkins demonstrates the differences and similarities between a variety of keyboard (or mallet) percussion instruments. Instruments introduced: Xylophone, Marimba, Vibraphone, and Glockenspiel.
THE AMAZING TUBA
Principal Tubist Andrew Doub introduces the lowest-pitched instrument in the brass family and walks us through how he uses air and vibration to create sound. Terms introduced: Embouchure, Trill, Range, and more.
THE AMAZING TIMPANI
Timpanist James (Jim) Rago shares the unique qualities of the kettle drums by demonstrating how they contribute to the rhythm, dynamics and pitch of a symphony performance. Terms introduced: Mallet, Articulation, Rhythmic Pattern, and more.
THE AMAZING FLUTE AND PICCOLO
Flutist and Piccoloist Donald Gottlieb demonstrates the similarities between his favorite woodwind instruments and explains the roles they play in the orchestra. Terms introduced: Keys, Adagio, Octave, and more.
THE AMAZING HORN
Principal Horn Jon Gustely demonstrates the the parts and sounds of the horn while sharing a bit about the instrument’s history. Terms introduced: Harmonic Series, Hand-Stopping, Valves, Pitch, and more.
THE AMAZING VIOLIN II
Violinist Blaise Poth demonstrates special effects and techniques on the smallest instrument in the string family. Terms introduced: Glissando, Trill, Vibrato, Fiddle, F-Hole, and more.
THE AMAZING VIOLA II
Violist Jonathan Mueller explains the key differences between the viola and violin and shows off how he amplifies his instrument and uses a pedal board to produce a familiar, fun tune. Terms introduced: Staccato, Legato, Pizzicato, Pickup, and more.
THE AMAZING TROMBONE
Trombonist Donna Parkes tells us why the trombone is her favorite instrument and introduces you to the brass instrument family. Terms introduced: Amplification, Slides, Glissando, Vibration, and more.
THE AMAZING BASSOON
Bassoonist Francisco Joubert Bernard demonstrates the importance of the bass in BASS-OON and breaks down all the parts of the largest instrument in the woodwind family. Terms introduced: Pitch, Reed, Vibration, Bocal, Multiphonics, and more.
THE AMAZING BASS
Bassist Karl Olsen demonstrates the largest instrument in the string family and how vibration makes sound. Terms introduced: Pizzicato, Arco, Amplification, and more.
THE AMAZING OBOE
Oboist Trevor Johnson explains the difference between the oboe and the clarinet and introduces you to the woodwind family. Terms introduced: Double Reed, Composer, Timbre, Tempo, and more.
THE AMAZING CELLO
Cellist Allison Olsen demonstrates the lyrical nature of the cello. Terms introduced: Ponticello, Double Stop, Pizzicato, and more.
TUNING THE ORCHESTRA
Oboist Trevor Johnson explains how an orchestra tunes so that all the instruments match their basic pitch at the start of a performance. Terms introduced: Concert A, Timbre, Pitch, and more.