Humans across cultures have played percussion instruments to accompany music and dance or for ritual, religious, or military purposes. But percussion’s rise in prominence within the context of the Western symphony orchestra only really began in the 20th century.

The oldest surviving metal trumpets, constructed of silver and copper, were discovered in the tomb of the Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun. So how did we get to today’s lineup?

As we continue our series on the history of the orchestra, let’s turn our focus to the woodwind section.

Learn why the violin is so pivotal in the development of modern-day string instruments.

The modern orchestra as we know it today only took shape in the last 150 years.