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Re: Optimal size of clarinet sections

Author: karlbonner82
Date: 2010-05-16 12:24

Re the brass/wood split. Brasses are loud and heavy so I'd probably have them comprise only about 1/3 of the ensemble, perhaps even a wee bit lower. (what would your brass/wood ratio be?) In particular I'd steer clear of gigantic trumpet sections - at most three per part and probably only two.

Actually, I might scale back the size of the ensemble a bit. Let's say 60-70 members instead. Saxes and double reeds might add up to 12 and flutes, maybe 8. After about 20 brasses and 20 non-clarinet woods, that would leave us room for about 20-25 clarinets - about one-third of the ensemble...

Not sure how many bassoons you need in a band of that size in order for their tone color to make a noticeable contribution to the blend, and equally unsure for oboes. I do know that two oboes is usually not enough to stand up to 8-10 flutes and 12-15 sop. clarinets! The only time you seem to hear them is when at least half of the high woodwinds are silent. Maybe four would do the trick?

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