Klarinet Archive - Posting 000693.txt from 1997/11

From: "Andrew Thompson" <awthomp@-----.com>
Subj: Re: Weber One
Date: Wed, 19 Nov 1997 19:58:53 -0500

As far as tonal qualities of orchestra being "better" or "wider" than those
in a band, I would suggest that this is dependant on the orchestra and on
the band.
I would also like to describe a situation at the university where I studied
clarinet. At this school, the Symphony Orchestra was the prized place to
play. It was reserved only for performance majors, because it was "real
music" and that was what they were studying for. Most of the profs didn't
like bands, or band music, and they weren't shy about showing it.
You can imagine what happened. The bands were awful, because no one wanted
to be there, because we (I played in the bands) felt left out of "real
music"
In the meantime, a community wind orchestra in the area formed, rehearsed
three hours a week with an amateur conductor, and because it is all people
who WANT and actually PAY to belong, it's a much much better ensemble than
any of the ensembles I heard at the university.
I would suggest to some of the educators on this list that even if you don't
like band, please refrain from SHOWING this dislike where students can see
it. I prefer orchestra, but I play in band because I can. And i feel that
the band is equally as valid a medium of expression as an orchestra. Any
disdain you (plural) or I show towards the band reinforces the "not as good
as" image, and this is not good for students nor for music in North America
as a whole.
Ask around. More people go to school band concerts than to the symphony in
every city I've ever been in.
Andrew Thompson