Klarinet Archive - Posting 000927.txt from 2004/10

From: "Matthew Lloyd" <matthew@-----.uk>
Subj: RE: [kl] Appealing to the superficial
Date: Sat, 30 Oct 2004 19:49:02 -0400

Adam Michlin wrote "I only add that if a student can get through 4 years
of band and ever hear Mozart or Bach or Beethoven there is something
serious wrong with all the
above."

Adam,

I know I'm only an ignorant Limey, but bear with me.

Mozart, Bach and Beethoven wrote NOTHING for what seems to be taken as a
"band" which I assume - for clarity I think this ought to be stated - to
be what I would call a Concert Band (or Military Band) and which would
have the correct instrumentation for something such as a Sousa March or
the Holst Suites for Band.

They wrote for orchestras. [I'm obviously aware of wind music for larger
ensembles, but none that meet my definition of "band" above.]

Do American Schools not have orchestras? Is there no equivalent to our
County Music Service Orchestras - taking the best students from the
County (ours are larger than yours) and forming an orchestra. The one
from my county, Bedfordshire, played annually at the Albert Hall.

I cannot see how you can transcribe K622 for band. I am sure you'll
disagree. But if you want to expose students to orchestral music, am I
hopelessly naive suggesting that you do so by getting them to play in an
orchestra?

Matthew

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