Klarinet Archive - Posting 000477.txt from 1997/02

From: Jacqueline Eastwood <eastwooj@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Quintet seating
Date: Fri, 14 Feb 1997 10:16:24 -0500

Hi Burch,

Having been in the Graduate Wind Quintet here at the U of A for 6 years
(and that was 2 years ago!!), I've also experienced different seating
arrangements, as the membership of the group changed over the years. We
found that it was best for the horn to be in the back, as otherwise we
"puny" (read: sensitive to piano dynamics) woodwind players would be
drowned out! This is what we ended up with:

oboe flute
horn audience
bassoon clarinet

As the flute and clarinet were the primary "cuers", it also seems more
logical. But perhaps in your group, the oboe and flute are the "cuers".
My former professor, Jerry Kirkbride, is clarinetist in the Dorian
Quintet, and he advocated our trying different set-ups to find out what
worked best. I don't think there is one perfect way, and it depends in
large part on the individuals in the group.

On Thu, 13 Feb 1997, Burch Johnson wrote:

> We've tried different seating arrangements with our woodwind quintet,
> and, for the ability to hear each other, and the audience to hear
> us, we sit thusly:
> horn oboe
>
> bassoon---------> audience
>
> clar flute
>
> comments/suggestions? Burch
>

Jacqueline Eastwood
University of Arizona/Arizona Opera Orchestra
eastwooj@-----.edu