How to Build an Orchestra

by Mary Auld, Elisa Paganelli (Illustrator), Sir Simon Rattle (Foreword by)

Overview

Find out what makes up an orchestra and learn about its different instruments! A beautifully illustrated book produced in association with the London Symphony Orchestra.

This wonderfully illustrated story follows a conductor who is auditioning each instrument for his orchestra, building to a performance of two pieces of classical music. With links to downloadable music, follow our conductor on his journey and discover the beautiful music of an orchestra.

With pictograms of a full-size symphony orchestra and information on all of the instruments and music featured, as well as a foreword by Sir Simon Rattle, renowned Music Director of the London Symphony Orchestra, this is the must-have book on the makeup of an orchestra and its instruments for children aged 7+.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781623717063
Publisher:	Interlink Publishing Group Inc
Publication date:	01/23/2024
Pages:	48
Product dimensions:	9.50(w) x 11.50(h) x 0.20(d)
Age Range:	7 - 18 Years

About the Author

Mary Auld is a writer of children's information books, working over a broad range of subjects. She has been actively involved in music from an early age, both singing and playing the flute, on an amateur basis. She loves making music in a group, be that in an orchestra or a choir. Whether making music or writing children's books, her aim is to share her enthusiasm and inspire readers. Mary Auld is a pen name for Rachel Cooke, who is an honorary fellow of the English Association in recognition of her editorial work in children's non-fiction.

Elisa Paganelli was born in Modena, Italy, and since childhood cannot resist the smell of paper and pencils. She attended the Institute of Art and subsequently graduated from the European Institute of Design (IED) in Turin with a degree in illustration. After working as a graphic designer for a communication agency for a few years, she decided to set up her own art and design studio. Elisa devotes most of her time to her passion for images and words. She thinks of herself as a kind of hermit, immersed in her quiet world of nature and books, accompanied by a cup of tea and her beloved pet-assistants. She now collaborates with publishers and other clients all over the world, and also writes for a newspaper’s lifestyle column.

Sir Simon Denis Rattle OM CBE is a British conductor. He rose to international prominence during the 1980s and 1990s, while Music Director of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. Rattle was principal conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic from 2002 to 2018.

Editorial Reviews

Appealing and informative—a perfect harmony ... Conductor Simon auditions musicians, introduces their instruments, and builds an ensemble modeled on the London Symphony Orchestra. This well-organized introduction to the symphony orchestra features clear explanations, lively illustrations of players and their instruments, and examples of the sounds of particular instruments from LSO performances (available for download via a QR code).”

“[A]n inspired book that will motivate young readers to learn more about orchestral instruments and the wonder of the music an orchestra can make.”

“Lively, very informative title ... Auld introduces each section and instrument; describes how each instrument works, how it sounds, and what role it plays in orchestral music ... Most helpful and pleasing is the ‘Listen!’ prompts ... Paganelli’s friendly cartoon artwork in a muted palette depicts the instruments; the individual performers, who are refreshingly diverse in body shape and skin tone ... the depth of material about orchestral performance would make this comfortably at home on a nonfiction shelf.

From the Publisher

[A]n inspired book that will motivate young readers to learn more about orchestral instruments and the wonder of the music an orchestra can make.”

NYJB

Lively, very informative title … Auld introduces each section and instrument; describes how each instrument works, how it sounds, and what role it plays in orchestral music … Most helpful and pleasing is the ‘Listen!’ prompts … Paganelli’s friendly cartoon artwork in a muted palette depicts the instruments; the individual performers, who are refreshingly diverse in body shape and skin tone … the depth of material about orchestral performance would make this comfortably at home on a nonfiction shelf.

Starred Review Booklist

★ 2020-09-15
Conductor Simon auditions musicians, introduces their instruments, and builds an ensemble modeled on the London Symphony Orchestra.

This well-organized introduction to the symphony orchestra features clear explanations, lively illustrations of players and their instruments, and examples of the sounds of particular instruments from LSO performances (available for download via a QR code). There are also two full pieces, Ravel’s “Boléro” and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6. The story arc introduces the conductor, a White man with graying hair who loves music and wants to share it. To do that, he must build an orchestra, section by section, instrumental family by instrumental family. Each spread includes several short paragraphs of narrative, some infobits marked with a hashtag/sharp symbol, and a short description of what to listen for in the audio example, all accompanied by cheery images that are both realistic and imaginative. These include allusions to the musical selections—a faun, a firebird, a sugar-plum fairy, and so forth. Readers who enjoy poring over illustrations can follow particular characters throughout. Both auditioners and performers are racially diverse, and some are clearly modeled on current LSO personnel. After auditions, there are rehearsals and, finally, a performance. (Here, the vignettes include an appreciative audience.) The backmatter offers a pictogram of the orchestra with its standard seating and further information about the particular musical selections. LSO conductor Sir Simon Rattle provides an introduction, and LSO educator Rachel Leach gets title page credit for “musical support."

Appealing and informative—a perfect harmony. (glossary, index) (Informational picture book. 6-10)

Kirkus Reviews