The orchestra

Violins make up the largest section of the orchestra and these players are known for their fast-fingered agility, high-pitched virtuosity and ability to create flowing melodies.

Within the violins there are two sections – first violins and second violins, each with distinct roles. The firsts often carry the tune, and the seconds carry the harmony or countermelody. 

In many orchestras, violinists only ever play in one section, while at the TSO our tutti violins rotate. As a result, our violinists are uncommonly versatile and flexible. 

The violin section is headed by the Concertmaster, who also helps the conductor lead the entire orchestra.

Slightly larger and sitting slightly lower in pitch to the violins, the viola adds depth and resonance to the sound of the smaller strings. Our violists play essential middle harmonies and complete the texture of the orchestra’s sound.

Violas can be brilliant and powerful, but also mellow and warm. Keep an eye and ear out for composers who judiciously choose to feature the violas in meaningful moments when a change in tone and character is required.

The cello (short for violoncello) is the second largest member of the string family. Often described as the closest string instrument to the human voice, the cellos bring warmth, depth, and emotional resonance to every performance. Their rich, expressive sound anchors the orchestra’s harmony and often carries many of its most lyrical moments.

Traditionally seated on the right-hand side of the stage, the cellos create a balanced dialogue with the violins and add a powerful, grounded presence to the overall sound.

The largest string instrument, double basses underpin the orchestra’s harmony and provide the deep, warm tone on which the resonance of the entire orchestra depends.

As one of the TSO’s secret weapons, our double bass section provides a clarity of tone that allows the audience to hear every note, and forms the foundation of the music at any given moment.

Double basses may be massive, but if you watch and listen carefully you’ll see how agile these players – and their instruments – are.

Consisting of flutes, oboes, clarinets and bassoons, our woodwinds act as the colour palette of the orchestra. They span the full pitch range, from contrabassoon-low to piccolo-high.

Each member of the woodwind family is unique and these musicians often feature in characteristic solos.

As a section they add sparkle, energy and clarity to the overall orchestral texture, while also functioning as harmonious blocks of sound.

Our woodwind musicians are sometimes thought of as athletes of the orchestra, perhaps due to how strong their lungs need to be.

This fact – of musicians needing to breathe in and out to play the instruments – gives woodwinds a distinct vocal quality.

Once you recognise their signature sounds, these instruments are impossible to miss.

Our brass section includes horns, trumpets, trombones and a tuba. Although they’re part of the same instrument family, our horns usually sit to the left when looking at the stage, while our trumpets, trombone and tuba are to the right.

Trumpets, trombones and tuba play distinct roles such as soaring solos and triumphant fanfares. Together they provide brilliance, majesty and lyricism. This section has the largest dynamic range of the orchestra, from an airy pianissimo (a very softly played section of music) to a spine-tingling fortissimo (very loud).

The horns function as the ‘glue’ between the winds, brass and string sections. There is no limit to their expressive and harmonic capabilities – heroic and moving solos, quirky interjections, harmonic blending and long, held notes.

If you look closely you'll see the bells of the horns face the back of the stage and you may notice their sound seems to be almost reflected, as if heard from a distance.

The timpanist’s role is separate to percussion and forms the rhythmic and harmonic heart of the orchestra.

Timpani are a type of kettle drum with adjustable pitch. These instruments colour the music in important ways, adding resonance and power to a performance.

Percussion covers the whole gamut of instruments that can be hit or shaken including drums, cymbals, xylophones, gongs and bells – even the slide whistle and typewriter.

Percussionists provide rhythmic drive as well as moments of sparkle, such as the triangle at the top of a lyrical phrase.

Watch carefully as the energy of the orchestra builds towards a thunderous finale and you might spot our percussionist preparing for a perfectly timed cymbal crash.