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RE: Concert Bands

TP Music wrote:

> Wind Band
>
> This is a term that was used later, and had a lot
> to do with the influence of the larger American
> High School Symphonic Wind Bands. A typical
> instrumentation for a symphonic band is as
> follows.
>
> 1st & 2nd Flute - sometimes Piccolo as well

Often there are many players on each flute part, and there is almost always
a piccolo.

> 1st & 2nd Oboe - one doubling Cor Anglais

Comparatively few American Concert Band or Symphonic Band publications call
for Cor Anglais, but there are a few.

> Eb Clarinet
> 1st, 2nd & 3rd Bb Clarinets - usually 3 on a part

In very large bands, as many as 5 or 6 on a part.

> Eb Alto Clarinet
> Bb Bass Clarinet
> 1st & 2nd Bassoon

Sometimes more than one on a part on the above three instruments.

> 1st & 2nd Eb Alto Sax
> Bb Tenor Sax

Often more than one Alto or Tenor Sax on a part.

> Eb Baritone Sax
> 4 Horns in F

> 1st, 2nd & 3rd Bb Trumpet/Cornet - usually 2 on a part

This is one of the least standardized areas of American band
instrumentation.  Prior to about 1950 or 1960, band music usually called for
3 Cornet Parts, and sometimes for an additional 2 Trumpet Parts.  More
recently, it's common for the publisher to call for 3 Trumpets with no
mention of Cornets.

> 1st & 2nd Tenor Trombones

> Bass Trombone

This part is usually called "3rd Trombone," and can often be played on a
Tenor trombone without F attachment.  Since about 1970, some serious concert
band compositions specify bass trombone for this part, and the part often
calls for notes not available on a tenor trombone.

Euphonium or Baritone - (Baritone being the American name for the Euphonium)

In the USA, for most of the past 150 years. the terms "Baritone" and
"Euphonium" have been used interchangeably, and refer to a Euphonium.  The
smaller-bore true "British Baritone" is seldom seen in an American concert
band.

> Tubas

The part is written in bass clef, concert pitch, and may be played on
whatever tuba the player has at his/her disposal.  In schools bands, the
school often owns the tubas.  These may be BBb Tubas, Eb Tubas or CC tubas.
All will play the same part.

> String Bass

Sometimes present, but by no means always.

> Timpani
> Drums & Percussion - usually 2 parts

Often there will be parts for as many as 5 or 6 percussionists, including
players on Xylophone, Marimba, Bells (i.e., Glockenspiel) and other assorted
percussion instruments.

Regarding clefs and transposition, American parts are printed as follows:

Piccolo: Old parts often for Db piccolo, printed a major seventh above
sounded pitch.

Flutes, Oboes: Treble Clef, concert pitch.

Cor Anglais, Horn in F (French Horn): Treble Clef, written up a fifth from
sounded pitch.

Eb Clarinet: Treble Clef, written down a minor third (just like a Brass Band
Soprano Cornet part).

Bb Clarinet; Bb Cornet: Bb Trumpet: Treble clef, written up a second (just
like a Brass Band Bb Cornet part).

Eb Alto Sax; Eb Alto Clarinet: Treble clef, written up a sixth (just like a
Brass Band Eb Horn part).

Bb Tenor Sax; Bb Bass Clarinet: Treble clef, written up a ninth (just like a
Brass Band Baritone or Euphonium part).

Eb Baritone Sax: Treble Clef, written up a thirteenth (just like a Brass
Band Eb Bass part).

Bassoons, Trombones, Tubas:  Bass Clef, written at sounded pitch.

"Baritone" Parts in American band publications are generally supplied in
both Bass Clef and Treble Clef versions.  The Bass Clef parts are written at
sounded pitch; the Treble Clef parts are written up a ninth like a Brass
Band Baritone or Euphonium part.  These are not different parts, but rather,
they're the same part printed two different ways; they result in the same
notes coming out of the instrument, and the player will use one or the other
depending on which clef he/she reads. (Many American "baritone" players are
converted cornet or trumpet players who read only Treble Clef.  Some started
on Baritone (Euphonium) or Trombone, and read only Bass Clef.)

There are relatively few Brass Bands in the USA.  Those not affiliated with
the Salvation Army generally use standard British Brass Band
instrumentation, though if not in competition, the number of players per
part may vary.  Those affiliated with the Salvation Army use standard Army
instrumentation (i.e., no Repiano Cornet part). 

Jim O'Briant
Gilroy, CA
Eb Bass, The Pacific Brass
Principal Tuba, South Valley Symphony
Tuba, Jelly Roll Jazz Band

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