 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: SALT
Date: 2001-06-27 17:04
As I said in a previous posting I'm going to be off to college in the fall. Well, now I found out that if I want I can audition for the orchestra or I can be immediately placed in the concert band. I've never played in an orchestra before so I was wondering if I should do one year of college with what I know first(concert band) or if I should try something new(orchestra) So what do you guys think, go for orchestra or go with band?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2001-06-27 17:37
Speaking from a stand-point of lots of experiance, I preffer the orchestral playing and get much more personal enjoyment being the only one on the part, than in any band where you are just one of many (except if you are principal, then you might get a few solos) My recomendation: go for an orchestral career and play in bands as a secondary experiance (or for extra cash!!).
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Sylvain
Date: 2001-06-27 17:38
Audition for the orchestra.
First of all, if you want to become a professional player you will need to take many auditions, and it's good to build experience for those things.
If you make it to the orchestra you will have different music than the one you are used to play, and many instances where you are the only one playing the wonderful solo part.
The sooner you build this experience the better...
Best of luck,
-Sylvain
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-06-27 17:47
SALT -
I'd go for orchestra. Only 1 or 2 on a part, and lots of great music.
You'll need an A clarinet. The school may have one you can use, so if you make the orchestra, you should check.
Good luck. Let us know how you do.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Brandon
Date: 2001-06-27 18:04
I am going to be honest. Go for orchestra. I personally hate band. But I just prefer the sound of an orchestra to that of a band. If you like standard stuff I would say go for orchestra. But don't let my strong opinion influence you. Do what you want. I would say that if the orchestra sucks but the band is awesome...do band! Do whatever you think will give you the best musical experience.
Brandon
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Micaela
Date: 2001-06-27 22:43
Go for orchestra. It's a totally different experience. Being a clarinetist in a band is like being a violinist in an orchestra- there are tons of you. In an orchestra, there's usually two or three on each part (at the most). You have to concentrate more, but the music is so much better. In band, you either play arrangements or military music or the relatively unvaried (compared to orchestras) concert band literature- and who really needs more Alfred Reed? The vast majority of great music is written for orchestra, not band. Be prepared to count rests, though.
Are you a music major? Where are you going?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: SALT
Date: 2001-06-27 23:05
Thanks everyone, it looks like you're all pro-orchestra so I think I'll audition. Even if I don't make it a least I can say I tried.
Micaela asked if I'm a music major and where I'm going; I'm going to be majoring in Music Ed at the University of Portland. And you said that there's only two or three on each part at the most, well that's how it's always been in my band classes anyway so I guess that's not much of change for me. As to the varied literature I think my band director did a relatively good job of trying to give us as much variety as possible. One of the pieces we played this year was Sinfonia Voci, another was Fairest of the Fair(that was also our music for Grand Floral Parade) I don't remember what the title of the entire piece was but we played the second movement which was entitled Autumn, a very slow pretty piece. 
Anyway, thanks again and if anyone else wants to comment feel free!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Kim
Date: 2001-06-28 03:21
I'm going to give my two cents. I am a music ed major. IMHO, it is most important for a wind or percussion musician to be playing in a band first and foremost. It depends on what you want to teach, though. If you want to teach orchestra, then play in orchestra. However, if you want to teach band, then you should have playing experience in a collegiate band. The conductor is more experienced, as are the musicians.
Also, colleges are much different than high school. You can play in both the orchestra and band at college.
Good luck,
Kim
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mike Harrelson
Date: 2001-06-28 03:31
You may find out that you can do both. Orchestra and Concert (or Symphonic or Wind) Band. The orchestra rehersals may not allow for marching band (missing marching band would be a plus in my mind). You may want to start adding more (or some) "transposing" to your practice.
Good Luck
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarinet_girl
Date: 2001-06-28 03:40
Go for orchestra! It's fun! Tha A clarinet you'll prbably need is really fun to play on,too, especially if you get a full-boehm system one. There expensive though, but I found a very good Buffet R-13 full-boehm system clarinet on ebay once for $1000 dollars. (Actually, my mom found, since I was only in junior-high at that time.)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: J. Exner
Date: 2001-06-28 12:49
If you've never played in an orchestra, then go for it--then you'll know. I played in several orchestras in high school and I played in both in college. However, I find that I'm a band person, myself. To me, there were too many rests, not enough consistently interesting parts, not enough solos in the orchestra.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ken
Date: 2001-06-29 05:20
SALT, band and orchestra are Venus and Mars in the musical universe. I'd suggest joining the concert band Freshmen year then go for the orchestra spot as a Sophomore. Gaining knowledge/experience in BOTH settings makes good sense in becoming a well-rounded classical clarinetist. There are great benefits to doing both especially if you plan on being a future music educator. Obviously, the wider your concept the better teacher you'll make, not to mention the vast repertoire you'll expose yourself to. And let ME be honest, after playing in pro concert bands for 23 years it's foolish and musically immature for anyone to stick their nose up at playing in one. Dislike it fine, but respect the venue, it's a fundamental idiom rich in tradition and value. Make no mistake, for "ensemble" playing band music is the hardest to play, original works and/or orchestral transcriptions notwithstanding. Playing in a band will solidify/strengthen your ensemble skills more than an orchestra could ever provide. In band, by the very nature of instrument voicing and frequent handing-off of the melody (opposed to the usual string monopoly in orchestra) there's a great deal more muscial "dependency" collectively; more emphasis on listening, blending, pitch center, control and matching other sections across the band. How much more challenging can it get in a 6-20 member clarinet section all having to play a unison line perfectly in tune and simulate one clarinet or three part divisi parallel lines spanning three octaves playing in tune? Conversely, playing in an orchestra will sharpen your solo and musical “independence” skills (plus multiple measures of counting) better than concert band. Playing "soloistically” and leading an orchestra is the ultimate challenge and about as exciting, intense and rewarding as it gets. I say diversify, enjoy both worlds and take advantage of the opportunity. Best of luck.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob Curtis
Date: 2001-07-02 02:29
SALT -- I gathered from you second posting that you are a Music
Ed. major. Just what are you planning on teaching when you get out? Band OR Orchestra? If I were you, I would spend most of my time preparing myself for what I was going to teach, and expand to include some of the other fields.
I am a retired band director with 37 years of experience behind me. I played in both the Orchestra and Band in college, and did not regret it at all. (By the way, I was playing professionally in Symphonies and opera orchestras during my early college days - A clarinet and all -, along with doing gigs with a big band) I knew what I was going to do, however, and I prepared my self for it. I did not plan on becoming an orchestral clarinetist because I knew that I would have to teach, anyway. So-o-o, I prepare myself for this field. Have I regreted it? NOT A BIT!!. I still play when I want to with a community band (of which I am also the principal conductor), teach as many private students as I desire, and still enjoy playing my instrument knowing that I do not have to prove anything to anyone. I play for the fun and enjoyment of it!! One of the advantages of retirement.
Weigh carefully your choices, and then go for it.
Bob Curtis
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob R
Date: 2001-07-09 19:45
Ok, I have to go against the grain here. I would say go for Band then maybe experiment with orchestra. If your goal is life is be a performance major and you want to make a career out music, then you need some orchestra experience. HOWEVER, playing in a symphonic band can give more exposure to a larger selection of parts for clarinet.
Hold on your comments for a moment and let me explain. In band, the music is generally written for wind & brass instruments. Hence, you will have more difficult and interesting parts to play. In orchestra, the music is written more for strings, and your parts are more limited. NOW, this depends on the playing ability of your Band and Orchestra. To be honest, it also depends on the music being played. I have played in both the Symphonic Band and Symphony Orchestra at Clemson University. The band music really challenged me and got alot of playing experience. The orchestra music was rather boring and I spent alot time counting rests and playing background harmony. Yes, its true there is some excellent orchestra music out there that has some really good woodwind parts, but our director mainly used the woodwinds and brass as "filler" and choose music to feature strings.
My advice, you can't go wrong playing in band if you want experience. However, if you choose the orchestra route, its going to hit or miss.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
