Concert band

Introduction

A concert band, also called wind ensemble, symphonic band, wind symphony, wind orchestra, wind band, symphonic winds, symphony band, or symphonic wind ensemble, is a performing ensemble consisting of members of the woodwind, brass, and percussion families of instruments, along with the double bass.

A concert band’s repertoire includes original wind compositions, transcriptions/arrangements of orchestral compositions, light music, and popular tunes. Though the instrumentation is similar, a concert band is distinguished from the marching band in that its primary function is as a concert ensemble. The standard repertoire for the concert band does, however, contain concert marches.

History

In the 18th century, military ensembles were doing double duty as entertainment at the royal courts, either alone or combined with orchestral strings. Composers such as Mozart were writing chamber music for these groups, called Harmonie bands, which evolved to a standard instrumentation of two oboes, two clarinets, two horns, and two bassoons. In addition to original compositions, these groups also played transcriptions of opera music.

Contact with the music of the Turkish Janissaries contributed to the expansion of the Western European wind band. The splendor and dramatic effect of their percussion prompted the adoption of bass drum, cymbals, and triangle, as well as piccolo to balance the increased weight of the percussion section; see Turkish music (style). More clarinets were gradually added and brass instruments were further developed. The wind band eventually reached its current size, though the instrumentation differed in various countries.

During the 19th century large ensembles of wind and percussion instruments in the English and American traditions existed mainly in the form of the military band for ceremonial and festive occasions, and the works performed consisted mostly of marches. The only time wind bands were used in a concert setting comparable to that of a symphony orchestra was when transcriptions of orchestral or operatic pieces were arranged and performed, as there were comparatively few original concert works for a large wind ensemble. One notable and influential original symphonic work for band was Gustav Holst’s First Suite in E-Flat, written in 1909, considered to this day the classic work of symphonic band. Following Holst, a variety of British, American, Canadian and Australian composers wrote for the medium, including Percy Grainger, James Swearingen and Ralph Vaughan Williams.

This led to the formation of the University and College Band Conductors Conference in 1941—renamed the College Band Directors’ National Association in 1947—and spawned the commissioning of works from a wide variety of composers.

Development of the wind ensemble

The modern wind ensemble was established by Frederick Fennell at Eastman School of Music as the Eastman Wind Ensemble in 1952 after the model of the orchestra: a pool of players from which a composer can select in order to create different sonorities. The wind ensemble could be said to be modeled on the wind section of a “Wagner” orchestra, an important difference being the addition of saxophones and baritone/euphonium. (The American Wind Symphony Orchestra, which uses neither of these, adheres more strictly to the “expanded orchestral wind section” model.) While many people consider the wind ensemble to be one player on a part, this is only practical in true chamber music. Full band pieces usually require doubling or tripling of the clarinet parts, and six trumpeters is typical in a wind ensemble. According to Fennell, the wind ensemble was not revolutionary, but developed naturally out of the music that led him to the concept. However, the concept was in stark contrast to the large collegiate symphony bands of the time, particularly the 100-member band of the University of Michigan, conducted by William D. Revelli and even larger University of Illinois Concert Band as configured by A. Austin Harding and Mark Hindsley.

H. Robert Reynolds and others of his school of thought extended the Eastman model for wind ensembles, declaring that the wind ensemble should play only original wind ensemble works — no transcriptions, and no band pieces such as the Sousa marches or concert music intended for larger symphonic winds. This music should be of a serious and worthwhile nature, or the highest quality. Time and practicality have moderated this position, and today even Reynolds has produced quality arrangements for the modern wind band.

Contemporary composers found that wind bands offered a welcome opportunity to perform new music, in contrast to the conservative stance maintained by many symphony orchestras.

A military band

Military bands

The majority of full-time professional ensembles are military bands and, outside the United States, also police bands. One example is the Air Force Academy Band (inception in 1942 as the “Flying Yanks”, reactivated for the United States Air Force Academy in 1955, Colorado Springs, CO). This band has often been cited as, “The Thunderbirds of the Air Force Band Program”.

Professional bands
Professional concert bands not associated with the military are rare, and most do not offer full-time positions. Examples of professional non-military concert bands include:

> Dallas Wind Symphony, led by Jerry Junkin
> Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra, led for many years by Frederick Fennell, and as of 2006 conducted by Sir Douglas Bostock
> Osaka Municipal Symphonic Band
> Royal Hawaiian Band, created by royal decree in 1836 by King Kamehameha III

Community bands
Most adult bands outside of colleges and military institutions are community bands. A community band is a community-based ensemble of wind and percussion players, generally sponsored by the town or city in which it is located. Although some of the participants may have degrees in music and/or music education, the majority tend to be amateurs. It will typically hold regular rehearsals and perform at least one to three times per year. Notable community bands currently include:

U.S.A.
The American Band, Providence, RI, conducted by Dr. Brian Cardany
Brooklyn Wind Symphony, Brooklyn, NY, conducted by Jeff W. Ball
Lesbian & Gay Big Apple Corps, New York, NY, conducted by Kelly Watkins.
Municipal Band of Charlottesville, Inc., Charlottesville, VA, conducted by Stephen Layman
Northshore Concert Band, Evanston, Illinois, conducted by Dr. Mallory Thompson
Salt Lake Symphonic Winds, UT, conducted by Dr. Thomas P. Rohrer

United Kingdom
Birmingham Symphonic Winds, conducted by Keith Allen
Newark and Sherwood Concert Band, Newark, Nottinghamshire, conducted by Colum J O’Shea
North Cheshire Wind Orchestra, Warrington, Cheshire, conducted by Catherine Tackley
Nottingham Concert Band, conducted by Robert Parker

Canada
Pacific Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Vancouver. David Branter, Resident Conductor and Acting Music Director

Australia
North West Wind Ensemble, Sydney, James Brice, Musical Director
Sydney Wind Symphony, John Buckley, Musical Director

New Zealand
Gisborne Youth Concert Band, conducted by Alex Nyman

Norway
Dragefjellets Musikkorps (Bergen Symphonic Band)
Sandvikens Ungdomskorps, Bergen, conducted by Tormod Flaten and Bjørn Breistein

Portugal
União Filarmónica do Troviscal, Troviscal – Aveiro, conducted by André Granjo

Finland
Tikkurilan Soittokunta, Vantaa, conducted by Kimmo Nurmi

School bands

School bands vary in size and instrumentation, depending on the number of students that are in the band, and the versatility and virtuosity of the players. Some school bands follow a set educational program which dictates particular styles of pieces that are standard to the music curriculum. Such curricula usually include a concert overture, a march, and a miscellaneous band piece, often one in the pop music genre. The director may also slightly bypass the curriculum, choosing music of whatever style he or she pleases, especially if the band is small.

In the U.S., some schools have a school orchestra and choir as well. Some private and public schools have bands, orchestras, and choirs, especially if the district is very large.

Competitions
Throughout much of their history, wind bands have been promoted through regional and national music competitions and festivals. Currently, the largest among these is the annual All-Japan Band Association national contest, which in recent years has included around 14,000 bands.[citation needed] Other large competitions include the World Music Competition, held in the Netherlands; and the Southeast Asia Concert Band Festival, held in Hong Kong.

Instrumentation

Instrumentation for the wind band is not standardized; composers will frequently add or omit parts. Instruments and parts in parentheses are less common but still often used; due to the fact that some bands are missing these instruments, important lines for these instruments are often cued into other parts.

Woodwind

– Piccolos
– Flutes
– Alto flute
– Oboes
– Cor anglais or English horn
– Bassoons
– Contrabassoon
– Clarinet in E-flat
– Clarinets in B-flat or Soprano clarinet
– Alto clarinet
– Bass clarinet
– Contra-alto clarinet/Contrabass clarinet
– Soprano saxophone
– Alto saxophones
– Tenor saxophones
– Baritone saxophone
– Bass saxophone
Brass

– Trumpets/Cornets in B-flat
– Flugelhorns in B-flat
– Horns in F
– Tenor trombones
– Bass trombone
– Baritone horn/Euphonium
– Tubas
– Wagner tubas
Percussion
          >   Non-pitched

– Snare drum
– Bass drum
– Cymbals
– Tam-tam
– Triangle
– Tambourine
– Wood blocks/Temple blocks
– Tom-toms
– Bongos
– Congas
– Claves
– Drum kit
          >   Pitched

– Timpani
– Glockenspiel
– Xylophone
– Marimba
– Crotales
– Vibraphone
– Chimes
Keyboards

– Piano
– Celesta
– Organ
Strings

– Harp
– Violoncello
– Double bass

Band associations
Some notable band associations include:

1. American Bandmasters Association
2. British Association of Symphonic Bands and Wind Ensembles
3. All Japan Band Association