The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: georgec
Date: 2011-12-12 13:20
Could those who are members of community bands or orchestras, please tell how their music is chosen? By the Director? by a committee? or ...?
I'd also be interested in opinions of how you think it should be chosen--and any other words of wisdom on this topic you might be willing to share.
Many thanks.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2011-12-12 14:53
We have a music commission, consisting of four or five band members plus the director.
There is no veto right for the director, but I'd think it'd be difficult to play something against his/her will.
--
Ben
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: davyd
Date: 2011-12-12 17:34
The exact circumstances vary, but in the ensembles I play in, the directors have the final say. They might be open to suggestion. For seasonal programs, choices are limited. Personal likes and dislikes may play a factor. There's always the issue of whether a particular choice is realistic, for any number of reasons. But around here, the director almost always has the last word.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris_C ★2017
Date: 2011-12-12 19:38
Anybody can make suggestions; the MD consults the committee and potential soloists but then he makes the final decision, subject to the band being able to afford to buy the music if not already in the library.
Chris
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bobby McClellan
Date: 2011-12-12 21:48
With the community band that I play in (MCSB-Mississippi Community Symphonic Band) we have a music committee that meets with the director of the group. The committee makes suggestions for the concerts and the director will make a decision based on suggestions. in the end the director does make the final decision.
Bobby M. McClellan
Flowood, MS
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2011-12-12 21:55
It is most appropriate for the director to make the selections. If you don't like his choices, hire another director. Why in God's name would you want a committee telling someone (anyone) what he/she must conduct. You want the conductor to like what is in front of him.
..................Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2011-12-12 22:46
Paul Aviles wrote:
> It is most appropriate for the director to make the selections.
> If you don't like his choices, hire another director. Why in
> God's name would you want a committee telling someone (anyone)
> what he/she must conduct. You want the conductor to like what
> is in front of him.
Here it's more a question of efficiency - each concert we boil a pool of say 60 pieces down to a concert of ~ 10 pieces. Of course the director has a (big) word in what to take, in order to create a homogeneous concert.
Then, there's a long list of suggestions from the band, and also the insight what would technically be possible for our level. In the past, one could often tell what instrument the director played himself or what style he preferred, sometimes to the chagrin of half the band. But we must also think of our players, the audience and of younger future players we'd like to attract.
It's a rather democratic process, and we always find a compromise where everyone is happy. (Would that in politics it'd work the same way)
--
Ben
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Claire Annette
Date: 2011-12-13 01:20
Our director has the final say in what we perform. She knows our potential and our capability.
She has a wishlist that is posted on our web site which includes the title, publisher/edition, and cost, I believe. Band members or outsiders who purchase music receive recognition for their donation to the band. If anyone has a piece of music in mind that he/she would like to hear performed, we will perform it...if the person purchases it.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarinetcase
Date: 2011-12-13 01:47
One band I play in takes suggestions from any member. The board, which includes the conductor, 2 assistant conductors, and the business manager, discuss the potential pieces. The final decisions are based on many factors including the conductors desire to or not to conduct certain selections.
Another band all decisions are made by the conductor, period.
A third group, the conductor will take suggestions of pieces people want to play, but he makes all the decisions.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
|