Klarinet Archive - Posting 001197.txt from 1998/09
From: "Kung-Gene Chu" <tophat81@-----.com> Subj: Re: [kl] Marching band and (Concert Band also) Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 18:24:56 -0400
Hello, I am relatively new to this list, but I thought I would give my
input. The band at my high school usually plays 6-8 pieces divided into
a winter and spring concert (did Suite in E flat winter last year, Suite
in F spring :)) Then, we go on a trip to compete and be evaluated. The
music is really not geared for the competition, really, rather, 2 or 3
pieces from the spring concert are selected. I definitely think that it
is important to play a wide variety of music (as we have, from big band
to modern stuff to more traditional pieces) and have the musicians play
for themselves and the band, rather than getting worked up over a
competition. We even played the big band piece knowing that it would
never be used in competition. I don't know if I'm on track with all
this stuff....
anyways, regards,
'Topkick' Chu
>
>On Wed, 30 Sep 1998, Craig Earl Countryman wrote:
>> Is it standard practice to play only three concert band numbers for
>> the majority of concert season.
>[snip]
>> Obviously, a great deal of attention should
>> be devoted to contest numbers, but high school students would also
benefit
>> from being exposed to a wide variety of music.
>
>
>Nothing is standard practice. The issues are fairly simple. How many
>concerts does the band (or should the band) perform each year? Who
else
>is on the concert? How many pieces should a band play on a Concert if
>they are the only ones? How long should a concert be?
>
>The number of pieces on the concert depends on how long the concert is
and
>for how much of that time the band is performing. Let's take a
standard
>band concert - one hour and 15 minutes with two ensembles (both bands)
-
>one a younger, less advanced (grade 2-3.5 music), and the other fully
>instrumented and at a grade 4-5 level of music.
>
>Group 1 (2-3.5): 20-25 minutes of music
>Group 2: 25-30 minutes of music.
>
>Most ensembles don't play 3 10 minute pieces - in fact, the average
>commercial arrangement or work tends to be about 4 minutes!
So.....that
>would be four or five pieces for the first group, and 5 or six pieces
for
>the second group. If you do a Holst Suite and a march, that changes
the
>equation. BUT.....the bottom line is that contest shouldn't dictate
what
>the band plays all semester. Concert Band Festival SHOULD be an
>opportunity to perform for comments - period. Take away the trophies,
>take away the competitive aspect, and stick with playing a work for its
>worth and the experience of performing.......!
>
>So.....to answer the question......I don't really know.....depends on
all
>or part of the above!
>
>Roger Garrett
>IWU
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