 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Betty
Date: 2004-05-14 15:57
Hi there! Me again....I belong to two different community bands, (both also do parades,) so we are kept quite busy.
For those that also belong to community bands and actively play, what seating arrangements do you have? I have been a member of both bands for 6 yrs now, and play 2nd or 3rd part depending on the need of the year, (we have alot of college/high schoolers that drop in just for summer and then leave again on labor day, so we never know how big the band will be for summer or what parts are needed till memorial day) and I have always preferred to sit in the very last spot, (in the middle)....we have no formal seating arrangements and it is pretty much where we want to sit (within your own instrument)...the only persons who keep their same seats year after year, are the first two clarinets. I suppose everyone figures I am last chair clarinet but it is actually a good spot for me because the director blocks the sun for me (when we are outside) and most of the time, I do not have to share a stand with anyone else, so it bothers me little, but alot of the younger players feel it is such an INSULT to sit towards the end......who cares? we are playing the same music...(I moved up 4 spots this year but moved back down to the end because I like the space) Same thing in the other band, no formal seating arrangements, even though entry is by audition every year.....one year I sat on the end, next at the beginning of the row....this year I am back on the end..there's just more elbow room there...
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2004-05-14 16:53
An interesting clarinet section discussion, Betty, somewhat similar to our Tulsa Comm Band [look up our web-site, likely still out of date, but somewhat current]. When I first joined, I played sop cl, but seeing the need for bass cl, or, if another B C player shows up, alto cl to "round out "the "choir", I try! As such, I enjoy the advantages of individual seating, stand, music and sound ! , sitting by the {ugh} tenor saxes. Our cl section of 15-20 sops quite evenly divides as to 1st, 2nd 3rd, and remains quite fixed with only minor conductor-adjustments, and with some sharing of solos/cadenzas. Our best cl'ist plays and teaches from 3rd spot beneficially, and plays duets with our #1 conductor or our 1st chair for our [and audience's] pleasure! Comments?? Nuff said for now! ITS FUN, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: clarinetwife
Date: 2004-05-14 17:26
I ran into an interesting seating situation in our community band after I moved back to my hometown about 13 years ago. The seating seemed quite informal, yet it also turned out to be very fixed.
The first year I got there and a couple of people I had known from years before motioned me to an empty seat in the 1st section. The conductor didn't move me. By the next year my husband and I were married and he was joining the band (pre-kids when we could play music more together!) We both sat down in a couple of available seats (next to each other of course) in the 3rd section. The conductor asks me why I am sitting there and brings me back up where I had been. OK fine. Anyway, after a couple of years my husband actually did want to move around a little, but it did not happen.
We left the group for various reasons a couple of years later. Most of the long-timers in the group sit where they sit because that is where they like to be, but is just seemed strange that the seating was so rigid when the seating was determined so informally.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-05-14 17:28
The community band that I'm in (only for about two years) seems to have very informal seating arrangements. They are not strictly based on ability, but rather on when you joined the band and where they think you would be beneficial to the band. I joined late and was told to play second clarinet since they wanted to beef up the seconds (aka try to get the former three seconds to match the sound of the three firsts). As for position in the second row, I simply let whoever wants to sit on the edge sit there. I figured (A) I'm the new guy. They've put in their time and for a non-profit, community oriented band I believe seating SHOULD be based on seniority and (B) I don't really care where I sit. As long as I get to play.
However also being 'the new guy' I was asked to switch to bass clarinet and have been hoping and asking to be switched back to soprano for a little while. Hopefully it'll be soon. And then hopefully after playing soprano for a little while I'll be allowed to play first and have some fun with some music that's chock-full 'o notes. (pun intended)
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: ksclarinetgirl
Date: 2004-05-14 17:29
The way it works in our community band is once somebody leaves the group for whatever reason, you get pushed up a chair. There are a few exceptions: there's one clarinet that likes sitting first chair, second clarinet, so we let him. The way it worked out, I worked my way up to third chair pretty quickly. But the two first part players aren't ever going to leave so I'll just have to stay where I am
Stephanie :o)
"Vita Brevis, Ars Longa"
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Author: Rick Williams
Date: 2004-05-14 17:35
Our usual arrangement varies because the first 2-3 chairs switch back and forth on parts quite a bit, but is is normaly 1-2-3 with third doubling on Oboe with other 3rds in the second row along with bass and or alto clarinet.
When there are more folks it is 1-1-2-2-(2/3/oboe)
Best
Rick
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Author: coasten1
Date: 2004-05-14 17:51
I play in 3 community bands. One is really my town's band and the other two are at the community college.
I play 1st clarinet 3rd chair in the better college band. This band's seating is by seniority and ability. I have been with this group over 10 years. We are spread about to have strong players on each part. Usually the only time you have a chance to move up a part or seat is when someone leaves the group who sits ahead of you. However, we will have a new director in the fall so we will have to see how seating will be dones.
I play principle clarinet in the 2nd college band. This band is for anyone who cannot audition into the better band or anyone wanting to just play with not as much pressure. The director hears new people and may consult with the lead of each section to figure where the person fits best. Seniority also plays a in a little with sitting on parts. To be fair to all, we switch parts around too if there is an equal ability across the section.
My town's community band is based on where you want to sit. Generally the 1st clarinets are the better players and everyone else covers where needed. I usually play 2nd clarinet and I am sometimes asked to cover on 1st if we are short for a concert. I leave the solos for the others who are there year round as I only participate with this group during the summer. Everyone is pretty relaxed in the clarinet section as to being happy on the part they play. Or switching parts if asked.
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Author: leonardA
Date: 2004-05-14 18:34
Our band has only been formed for about a year and we are very informal. I guess it may come to more of a forumla, but not yet. Other than each group of instruments sitting together we have no assigned seats, and it seems to work fine.
Leonard
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Author: Tim P
Date: 2004-05-14 19:02
we are informal. no try outs, sit where ever you feel like you belong. I was offered 1st clarinet before any one even heard me play. I declined of course since I had only been playing for 4 months after a 30+ years layoff.
We have three pieces of music and three stands. It very very interesting when all 10 clarinets show up, which does not happen very often. Mostly we have about 5 show up. Certain players always play first, but it is very obvious that they are head and shoulders above the rest of us.
Last two weeks I played first. Just because week one I showed up late and that was the chair that I could get into with the least commotion. Week two I sat at third but when only one 1st showed up the other two 2nd, 3rd players told me to move to 1st. next week who knows. Real freindly section , we try to rotate so we are all familar with all sections becuase we never know who will show at the concerts.
Other section with-in the band don't seem to be friendly to one and other.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2004-05-14 19:12
People who are fixated on seating position tend to have a the same sort of notion about reed strength.
If you're prepared, and keen on the part tell them to push off.
As for myself, I think the parts written for the seconds are more interesting.
Best players in my band play third... and save the hot licks for pay.
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Author: clarinetwife
Date: 2004-05-14 19:48
Synonymous Botch wrote:
>
> Best players in my band play third... and save the hot licks
> for pay.
SB--I have observed this as well in some groups. However, it does beg the question:
Who's on first??
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2004-05-14 20:19
Hi,
No matter what the band, you need to be able to play well in tune in the upper register on 1st clarinet parts. On second, a huge amount of the music is right over the break and that is no fun (particlarily on orchestral transcription that end up in sharp keys).
I sit in the first clarinet section in the local community band but all last year was in the second clarinet section of a very fine wind symphony in another city. In the community band, I belong in the firsts based on ability and experience. I could have played first in the wind symphony but with a much higher caliber of music there had my hands full with the 2nd. On pure ability, I was behind two player that were not as good (you can tell sitting next to someone aftre a pretty short time) but who really cares. I knew and they knew as well.
The key to the whole thing though is can the players in each section meet the demands of the part. In the community band, we have the 2nds play 1st on several pieces but not at the expense of not having the part played correctly.
I remember a little passage in the Noisy Wheels of Joy in the wind symphony when the 3rds could not seem to play a very exposed measure. They missed it time after time so two of us on second played the passage, without music and without the director knowing we did it, but we made the part right. In that case, a challenging part was in the 3rds.
Whatever happens, the parts no matter which, must be covered.
HRL
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-05-14 20:27
I play in two and the seating is informal....more or less. If someone sits where one shouldn't the conductor will let him know by suggesting an alternate seat. In our college comm. band we have about 50/50 non students and students the latter which change as they graduate. The director more or less tells them where to sit. I'm not too concerned where I sit and acknowledge that First is not my speed. My opinion is that if one wants to play in a specific place one should make it known to the director.
Pairs who insist on sitting together should reconsider the idea.
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Author: clarinetwife
Date: 2004-05-14 23:49
BobD wrote:
> Pairs who insist on sitting together should reconsider the
> idea.
Well, we didn't insist. We actually played in two different bands, including the community band where we met, for about 7 years without sitting together. We definitely did enjoy playing together in a few pit orchestras, and there we did sometimes sit together.
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Author: Lisa
Date: 2004-05-14 23:53
Great topic!
I've been in 3 community bands, one at a time. The first one had the 3 best players on 1st, including the first and second clarinet from the local symphony. The better college and high school kids played second, and third was your average high school and college players. I started on 3rd and moved up to second before I moved away.
Another band I was in I started on 2nd because the conductor knew my ability and the needs of his section. The best players played 1st, along with any guest soloist, include the yearly high school hotshot soloists. (These kids were good, btw). People filled in 2nd and 3rd were they were most comfy. HOWEVER, someone who came in later on was asked to sit on second and complained after a while (out of sheer snottiness, we think). Whereupon they came up with this quarterly "rotational seating" arrangement. The concert mistress stayed put, as did the principal 3rd who wanted to stay there. The rest of us were assigned random, balanced rotations every three months. Not having played much 1st part before, I never did like playing first for 3 months at a pop when I could here people who could actually cut the part (on marches and orchestral overtures) playing in rows behind me. Due to scheduling problems, I joined a different band about a year later.
The band I'm in now sometimes has worthless "auditions" for the conductor to listen to everyone play alone, and nobody is ever asked to switch parts. The firsts and seconds are well balanced, and there's also a great player on third along with some others. I started sitting on 2nd and was moved up to 1st when the need came up. Now we have plenty of good seconds. The first chair stays put, and the rest of us firsts fill in as we arrive. We're all pretty much equal players and good friends, so as adults we couldn't care less about chair seatings within the section.
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Author: Pam H.
Date: 2004-05-15 18:48
I play in church orchestra and flute choir. In the orchestra I almost always play 1st clarinet, second chair. But our first chair clarinet is often covering oboe parts as we don't have a regular oboist most of the time so I'm often coverning lead clarinet parts. We have 2 girls on second now and I think they are happy playing second. They both are a bit timid about playing parts that show a lot. I enjoy playing the slightly harder parts though admittedly, much of it is at a level any competent high-schooler can do. Maybe I feel a little competitive about it but it's more of an internal drive to force myself to keep growing on the instrument. I think that the other sections are much the same way. Not really competitive, but the people who are stronger players are often playing first or second. I think everyone is pretty much content where they are.
The flute choir I'm pretty relaxed about whatever part I play. I've only played the flute for around 2-3 years now. Our group leader assigns us different parts each time. She knows everyone's abilities and weaknesses as most of the group either is a current student of hers or former. She often will group people on a part to help each other too.
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Author: allencole
Date: 2004-05-17 05:58
I'm involved in several community bands and in each case there is a section leader who sets up seating as needed. Most band members are fine with that--but of course, our section leaders are fair-minded and are good players.
With a few exceptions, I think that most players can evaluate pretty well where they belong.
Allen Cole
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Author: Dan Oberlin ★2017
Date: 2004-05-17 10:32
In our group the principal and second chair clarinets are constant. The
next dozen or so players were clarinet majors or principals and alternate
between first and second parts. The occasional high school clarinetists,
who have always been of All State quality, are found among the thirds.
These seatings are set by our director and are based on auditions.
D.O.
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