Learning Library
This learning resource is for teachers and students of all levels and ages who are looking to expand their knowledge and understanding of musical performance. Resources are continually being added to this page, which will serve as an index of what is available.
All resources are broken down by type and then suggested age range. However, our musician videos may be of interest to other age ranges. Please feel to use whatever might be of use for your students.
Be sure to check our YouTube Channel regularly, or check out our Virtual Classroom for more content and ad-free viewing!
If you do use the resources in your online learning or you are looking for something specific, we’d love to hear from you! Send an email to education@omahasymphony.org.
Introduction to the Orchestra
Meet the Trumpet
All Grades: Associate Principal Trumpet Federico Montes introduces students to the trumpet. Also available in Spanish
Meet the Cello
All Grades: Assistant Principal Cello Tim Strang shows off all the attributes of this member of the string family.
More Instruments:
- Meet the Violin with Juliet Yoshida
- Meet the Bass with Principal Bass Nate Olsen
- Meet the Tuba with Principal Tuba Craig Fuller
- Recorder Vs the Flute with Principal Flute Maria Harding
Videos on Technique
French Bow Hold with Principal Bass Nate Olsen
Upper Elementary and Middle School Nate explains the posture and technique for choosing this bow hold. Appropriate for beginner and intermediate students.
Check out the companion video on the German Bow Hold
Rests and Phrases with Principal Flute Maria Harding
Upper Middle – High School: Maria guides students through considering the bigger phrase when rests are present.
More Videos on Technique:
- Viola Brush Stroke with Assistant Principal Viola Tyler Sieh intermediate & advanced musicians
- Warm Ups for Violin with Juliet Yoshida beginning students
- Trombone Tone with Principal Trombone Pat Pfister intermediate musicians
- Left Hand Technique for Cello with Assistant Principal Cello Tim Strang beginning students
- Trombone Tone with Principal Trombone Pat Pfister intermediate musicians
- Horn Warm Ups with Steve Schultz for beginning students
Teacher Tips
Preventative Bass Maintenance with Assistant Principal Bass Bobby Scharmann
Bobby walks educators through a series of checks and fixes to troubleshoot common issues with student instruments.
Trumpet Tips with Associate Principal Federico Montes
Fede suggests ideas for better posture and ensemble connection. Designed for the trumpet section, these tips are applicable for most brass and winds.
More Resources
Bass Pizzicato with Nate Olsen
Beginner Principal Bass Nate Olsen shows the fundamentals of good pizzicato technique for bass players. This video is intended to both introduce the concept to beginning students, and serve as a refresher for intermediate players.
Musician Tips: Practicing Scales with Craig Fuller
All Ages: Principal Tuba Craig Fuller's two minute tips on musicianship is for musicians of all ages and abilities. This tip focuses on scales.
Omaha Symphony Archive Performances
Any Age: The Omaha Symphony’s YouTube Channel will soon be filled with our digital archives. Feel free to take a look and share any recordings with your students!