Why Don’t Concert Bands & String Orchestras for Students Play Together?
Introduction
In the world of school music programs, whether formal classrooms such as in public or private schools, or in homeschool groups, two distinct ensembles often take center stage: concert bands and string orchestras. These groups are the backbone of many educational institutions' music curricula, helping students develop essential musical skills. However, despite their shared goal of nurturing young musicians, concert bands and string orchestras rarely come together to perform. In this article, we will delve into the reasons behind this separation and explore the unique qualities that make each ensemble an essential component of a comprehensive music education.
Historical Origins
To understand why concert bands and string orchestras usually operate independently, it's essential to consider their historical origins. The modern concert band has its roots in military bands, dating back to the 18th century. These ensembles were designed to provide music for marching troops and often consisted of brass and woodwind instruments.
On the other hand, string orchestras trace their lineage to chamber music traditions, where string instruments like violins, violas, cellos, and basses took center stage. These smaller ensembles were designed for more intimate settings, like music rooms in homes and royal courts.
The Divergence in Instrumentation
One of the primary reasons concert bands and string orchestras don't often play together lies in their fundamental differences in instrumentation. Concert bands typically include brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. This diverse collection of instruments allows for a broad tonal palette and a wide range of musical expression, from the powerful blasts of a trumpet to the lyrical melodies of a clarinet.
String orchestras, on the other hand, focus exclusively on stringed instruments. While strings offer a rich and nuanced sound, they lack the percussive and harmonic possibilities of wind and brass instruments. Attempting to combine these disparate elements can result in a muddled or unbalanced sound.
Difference in Playable Keys
Students in a concert band often begin playing in concert Bb, a very natural and easy key for most band instruments. String instrument players find that key very hard and will often begin in the key of D. Beginning string players will often have tapes on their instruments. Most of those spots are notes in the key of D. It's extremely easy for string players. The key of C may seem like a good compromise, but it actually involves more complicated fingerings and positions for stringed and wind instruments alike.
Pedagogical Considerations
Another critical factor is pedagogy. Music educators often specialize in either orchestral or band instruction, as the two require distinct sets of skills and knowledge. Teaching brass and woodwind instruments differs significantly from instructing string instruments.
Moreover, students' early experiences in music education are crucial for their long-term development. Learning to master a single type of instrument, whether it's a violin or a trumpet, demands focused attention and practice. Attempting to simultaneously teach both strings and winds in one ensemble can lead to a diluted educational experience, as students may not receive the specialized guidance they need to excel.
Repertoire and Musical Styles
The repertoire for concert bands and string orchestras also differs substantially. While there are arrangements that attempt to blend the two, they often involve significant compromises. Concert bands excel in performing marches, overtures, and symphonic works, where the full range of winds and brass can be showcased. String orchestras, on the other hand, shine in the execution of chamber music, classical symphonies, and works that emphasize the warmth and expressiveness of strings.
Additionally, various musical styles, such as jazz and contemporary pop, are better suited to concert bands due to their instrumentation and rhythmic demands. String orchestras, conversely, find their niche in classical and romantic compositions.
One of the big issues with integrating strings and band is that in most orchestra music, the winds often get significant amounts of rests. Professional musicians are more adept at counting extremely long rest periods. However, many middle and high school students can become bored and disconnected from the music if they aren’t engaged in playing it. They can tolerate a short number of rests, but too much time spent not playing can sometimes result in behavior issues.
The Balance Would Not be Right
In some symphonic works, the instrumentation may call for sixty string players, twelve wind and brass players and a set of timpani. In most high school concert bands, which usually double as the marching band, there are far too many wind instruments in comparison with the relatively few string instrument students in the string orchestra.
Even if the two groups were combined, most less experienced win players would not be able to play quietly enough so as not to overpower the strings players.
Logistical Challenges
Logistics also play a role in the separation of these ensembles. Acquiring and maintaining instruments can be costly for schools, and combining both wind and string instruments in one ensemble would require a more extensive investment. Most schools don't have a room large enough to fit a full orchestra. The wind orchestra and string orchestra separately can fill up the rehearsal rooms and the stage. Furthermore, rehearsal and performance spaces must be acoustically suited to the specific needs of each ensemble, which can be challenging in schools with limited resources.
Conclusion While concert bands and string orchestras share the overarching goal of fostering musical growth in students, their historical roots, instrumentation, pedagogical requirements, repertoire, and logistical challenges have led to their separation in most school settings. Rather than viewing this separation as a limitation, it's essential to recognize the unique strengths and opportunities each ensemble offers. By doing so, schools can provide comprehensive music education that allows students to explore and appreciate the distinct qualities of both concert bands and string orchestras. This separation ultimately contributes to the rich tapestry of musical diversity in educational institutions, allowing young musicians to develop a broad range of skills and experiences that will serve them well on their musical journeys.
Salt Cellar Creations understands the need to have separate string and wind ensembles. To provide for each, SCC has a growing library of original works and arrangements. Explore the offerings HERE.
SCC can also compose an original piece for you or do a custom arrangement for you. There are two ways that this can be done; one is much more affordable than the other. And SCC is always looking for ideas of pieces to arrange or suggestions for original pieces.
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