Guidelines for Concert Band Placement
The placement of student musicians will be determined by the band director. This process will be based upon several factors:
1) Musical Proficiency – Students will be placed based upon their ability to play their instrument. These factors will include musicality, tone production, technique, intonation, and the ability to sight-read.
2) Personal Maturity – Students are placed based upon their self-motivation, their ability to handle stress, and to work as a team member.
3) Instrumentation – The integrity of balanced instrumentation is paramount for maximizing the musical potential of an ensemble. It will be the sole responsibility of the director to maintain a balanced instrumentation based upon current resources.
Music Proficiency
Based upon our current program of three concert bands:
Students in the 3rd ensemble, or A-3, will exhibit some or all of the following characteristics:
- continued improvement in tone production, intonation, and technique.
- is a freshman.
- has an average of 3 years performance experience.
- has some marching band experience.
- has the technical facility to successfully perform a U.I.L. Class III or II solo.
- has the sight-reading ability to perform Grade II Music.
Students in the 2nd ensemble, or A-2, will exhibit some or all of the following characteristics:
- intermediate skill showing some degree of good tone production, intonation, and technique.
- mostly 9th and 10th grade
- has an average of 4 or more years of performance experience.
- has 1 or more years of marching experience
- has the technical facility to successfully perform a U.I.L. Class II or I solo
- has the sight-reading ability to perform Grade II to Grade III music
- is able to demonstrate most of the idiomatic characteristics of their instrument
Students in the 1st ensemble, or A-1, will exhibit some or all of the following characteristics:
- demonstrates a high degree of musical maturity:
Tone production: idiomatic of the instrument, (i.e., with vibrato on flute, double reeds, etc).
Intonation: knows pitch tendencies characteristic to the instrument. Matches pitch without the aid of a tuner.
Technique: can expressively perform a wide range of dynamics, tempi, and musical styles.
- mostly upperclassmen.
- has an average of 5 or more years of performance experience.
- has an average of 3 years marching experience.
- Has the technical facility to successfully place in the T.M.E.A Region Band/Orchestra.
- Has the technical facility to successfully to perform a U.I.L. Class I solo.
- Has the sight-reading ability to perform Grade III to Grade IV music.
Personal Maturity
Self-Motivation – observable achievement will be a consideration. For example, students who strive for mastery do so on a consistent basis, (region band, solo & ensemble, etc), as well as are successful in academics.
Ability to handle stress – top performing ensembles represent the varsity equivalent of our band program. Our tradition of high musical excellence is constantly tested on a yearly basis. The musical literature is comparable to “honors” recognition. Performance demands require an individual who can maintain a high level of musicality as well as handle an intense academic environment.
Ability to work as a team member - compatibility and reliability is an essential element with any successful group. Individual egos, personal agendas, inconsistent personal behavior hamper this goal. Working together, we can do more!
Instrumentation Whenever possible, concert setting ensembles will consist of the approximate band instrumentation:
6 Flutes (1 piccolo)
2 Oboes
9 Bb Soprano Clarinets
3 Bass Clarinets (1 Contra)
2 Bassoons
2 Alto Saxes
1 Tenor Sax
1 Baritone Sax
8 Trumpets
4 French Horns
4 Tenor Trombones
1 Bass Trombone
2 Baritones
2 Tubas
6 Percussionists
The placement of student musicians will be determined by the band director. This process will be based upon several factors:
1) Musical Proficiency – Students will be placed based upon their ability to play their instrument. These factors will include musicality, tone production, technique, intonation, and the ability to sight-read.
2) Personal Maturity – Students are placed based upon their self-motivation, their ability to handle stress, and to work as a team member.
3) Instrumentation – The integrity of balanced instrumentation is paramount for maximizing the musical potential of an ensemble. It will be the sole responsibility of the director to maintain a balanced instrumentation based upon current resources.
Music Proficiency
Based upon our current program of three concert bands:
Students in the 3rd ensemble, or A-3, will exhibit some or all of the following characteristics:
- continued improvement in tone production, intonation, and technique.
- is a freshman.
- has an average of 3 years performance experience.
- has some marching band experience.
- has the technical facility to successfully perform a U.I.L. Class III or II solo.
- has the sight-reading ability to perform Grade II Music.
Students in the 2nd ensemble, or A-2, will exhibit some or all of the following characteristics:
- intermediate skill showing some degree of good tone production, intonation, and technique.
- mostly 9th and 10th grade
- has an average of 4 or more years of performance experience.
- has 1 or more years of marching experience
- has the technical facility to successfully perform a U.I.L. Class II or I solo
- has the sight-reading ability to perform Grade II to Grade III music
- is able to demonstrate most of the idiomatic characteristics of their instrument
Students in the 1st ensemble, or A-1, will exhibit some or all of the following characteristics:
- demonstrates a high degree of musical maturity:
Tone production: idiomatic of the instrument, (i.e., with vibrato on flute, double reeds, etc).
Intonation: knows pitch tendencies characteristic to the instrument. Matches pitch without the aid of a tuner.
Technique: can expressively perform a wide range of dynamics, tempi, and musical styles.
- mostly upperclassmen.
- has an average of 5 or more years of performance experience.
- has an average of 3 years marching experience.
- Has the technical facility to successfully place in the T.M.E.A Region Band/Orchestra.
- Has the technical facility to successfully to perform a U.I.L. Class I solo.
- Has the sight-reading ability to perform Grade III to Grade IV music.
Personal Maturity
Self-Motivation – observable achievement will be a consideration. For example, students who strive for mastery do so on a consistent basis, (region band, solo & ensemble, etc), as well as are successful in academics.
Ability to handle stress – top performing ensembles represent the varsity equivalent of our band program. Our tradition of high musical excellence is constantly tested on a yearly basis. The musical literature is comparable to “honors” recognition. Performance demands require an individual who can maintain a high level of musicality as well as handle an intense academic environment.
Ability to work as a team member - compatibility and reliability is an essential element with any successful group. Individual egos, personal agendas, inconsistent personal behavior hamper this goal. Working together, we can do more!
Instrumentation Whenever possible, concert setting ensembles will consist of the approximate band instrumentation:
6 Flutes (1 piccolo)
2 Oboes
9 Bb Soprano Clarinets
3 Bass Clarinets (1 Contra)
2 Bassoons
2 Alto Saxes
1 Tenor Sax
1 Baritone Sax
8 Trumpets
4 French Horns
4 Tenor Trombones
1 Bass Trombone
2 Baritones
2 Tubas
6 Percussionists
