Do any particular instruments make up a string orchestra? Or can it be any random strings thrown together? Same question for a brass band. I don't know where else to find this stuff out. :heh:

For strings it's violins, violas, cellos, double basses. I think that's it really but there may be a harp. I can't remember brass because I'm not a brass player.

String orchestra? By definition, an orchestra has to include other instruments too...

Not sure but it's probably better called a string ensemble I guess.

String orchestra? By definition, an orchestra has to include other instruments too...

Wrong. A *String* Orchestra is, as can be told by it's name, made up of *STRINGED* instruments. The size of the orchestra may vary depending upon the forces called upon by the score or the resources/players available; but, generally, a Baroque-style String Orchestra might consist of 6-10 First Violins, an equal number of Second Violins, 8-12 Violas, 4-8 Cellos and 1-3 Basses. For added flavor a Harpsicord, Lute or; very rarely; a Harp* will usually be added to provide continuo/figured bass for the music**. Composers who wrote for String Orchestra include Vivaldi, J.S. Bach, Mendelssohn (who wrote a cycle of 12 Symphonies for such an ensemble), and Samuel Barber; who wrote a famous "Adagio".

*The Harp was generally regarded as a solo instrument.
**Also, non-stringed instruments (such as an organ and/or a bassoon) were also used for continuo.

Brass ensemble is just most brass instruments together
trumpets, trumbones, french horns, and tuba..
in a small brass emsemble it's usually 1 tuba, 2 french horns, 2 trumbones, and 2-3 trumpets

eh that's just my preferences of what the sounds be like if i were to form a brass ensemble.