Concert Band WorksheetClass: _____________________Name:__________________________Read and answer the following questions

HistoryAconcert band, also called wind band, symphonic band, symphonic winds, wind orchestra, wind symphony, wind ensemble, or symphonic wind ensemble, is a performing ensemble consisting of several members of thewoodwind,brass, andpercussionfamilies of instruments.A concert band's repertoire includes originalwindcompositions, arrangements oforchestralcompositions,light music, and popular tunes. Though the instrumentation is similar, a concert band is distinguished from themarching bandin that its primary function is as a concert ensemble. Thestandard repertoirefor the concert band does, however, containconcert marches.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 asMozartwere writingchamber musicfor these groups, calledHarmoniebands, which evolved to a standard instrumentation of twooboes, twoclarinets, twohorns, and twobassoons. In addition to original compositions, these groups also played transcriptions ofoperamusic.Contact with the music of the TurkishJanissariescontributed to the expansion of the Western European wind band. The splendor and dramatic effect of their percussion prompted the adoption ofbass drum,cymbals, and triangle, as well aspiccoloto balance the increased weight of the percussion section; seeTurkish music (style). More clarinets were gradually added and brass instruments were further developed. By 1810 the wind band had reached its current size, though the instrumentation differed in various countries.[citation needed]During the 19th century large ensembles of wind and percussion instruments in theEnglishandAmericantraditions existed mainly in the form of themilitary bandfor ceremonial and festive occasions, and the works performed consisted mostly ofmarches. The only time wind bands were used in a concert setting comparable to that of asymphony orchestrawas when transcriptions of orchestral or operatic pieces were arranged and performed, as there were comparatively few original concert works for a large wind ensemble. The first notable and influential original symphonic work for band wasGustav Holst'sFirst 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, includingPercy Grainger,James SwearingenandRalph Vaughan Williams.The works of the British band masters, in conjunction with the aspirations of college band directors, led to the belief that the wind band could complement the symphony orchestra as a vehicle of artistic expression at the highest level. This led to the formation of the University and College Band Conductors Conference in 1941renamed theCollege Band Directors' National Associationin 1947and spawned the commissioning of works from a wide variety of composers.Since the 1950s, military bands have been the primary force behind the concert band genre.

Instrumentation (instruments used for a particular group or piece of music, in this case music for concert band)WoodwindPiccoloFlutesOboesBassoonClarinetBass clarinetAlto saxophoneTenor saxophoneBaritone saxophone

BarassTrumpetsFrench hornTromboneEuphoniumTuba

Percussion

Seating Chart

Complete a seating chart below for the band you are watching: Name the instruments too

What is the role of the conductor (the person in front of the band waving the stick (the baton!) around?

Imagine you are the conductor- as part of your job you have to select a wide range of music for your concert band to play.

Go to jwpepper.com, click on Shop Sheet Music & More , select Concert Band

Select 7 pieces of music you want to play with your concert band. You can listen to the audio samples on some of the pieces. Out of the 7 pieces, one has to be a March, one has to be an original composition (i.e. not an arrangement of some pop music pieces), one has to be a slow/lyrical piece, and the rest can be your own selections:TitleComposer (or arranger if not an original piece)

1. (March)

2. (original)

3. (slow/lyrical)

4. (own choice)

5.

6.

7.