Incorporating Chamber Ensembles into the Band Program
Posted by dougbutchy on April 5, 2011
Today, I had a chance opportunity to play some clarinet duets with one of my students. We had a great time, and I was reminded of how much playing duets with friends in college improved my playing individually. This experience also reminded me that giving students the opportunity to perform in chamber ensembles can greatly improve their musicianship.
So, I started thinking about what kinds of chamber ensembles I could have – Brass Ensemble, Flute Choir, Clarinet Choir, Saxophone Quartet, Percussion Ensemble, etc. But then came the next obvious question – How do I incorporate all of these groups into my already busy schedule? I could ask for them to be added as classes, but I am aware that students have a tough time scheduling everything they want to take as it is. We already have marching band, jazz band, and pep band after school.
So, I’m looking for ideas from you all – Do you incorporate small ensembles, and how do you do it? I’m looking forward to hearing what you have to say!
April 5th, 2011 at 10:53 am
Hey Doug! When I was teaching, I was inspired to do chamber ensembles because of an article I read in The Instrumentalist about Greg Snyder’s bands at Lakota West High School. He talked a little bit about a chamber music aspect of his program, and I really liked the idea. I ended up getting his phone number and calling him to ask about exactly how he ran things. You can read the article (I found a link which I’m putting at the end of this), but he says that no matter what, every Wednesday is devoted to small ensembles.
I ended up also declaring a small ensemble day during my 40 minute band period. Every student was placed into an ensemble so that they were one on a part(with some student input as to grouping), I set one person from every group as a “leader,” and they were told that in order to receive a passing grade, they had to perform somewhere. Some kids played in their churches, one group in the post office, and some ended up playing at the elementary band concert. Before we started rehearsing, I went to Volkwein’s and picked up a huge amount of small ensemble music (that my district ended up saying yes to paying for all of it! score!), and I then had the kids choose which piece they wanted to work on. I tried to give every group 3 choices.
At that time, my band had about 53 or 54 members, and we had about 12 ensembles. I have to admit, it was kind of hectic during the small ensemble period because I had everyone in the auditorium together and walked around during that time, making sure I got to every group. Students could ask me for help with rhythms, but they had to make decisions as a group concerning dynamics, phrasing, etc.
I thought it was a great experience. The best part for me was not necessarily the groups with the “top” kids either. It was that one clarinet quartet made up of the 4 weakest clarinet players in my band. The girl playing that first part really stepped up, and I definitely heard a difference in her playing in the concert band setting as well. For that reason alone, I continued doing it. I thought it was one of the best things about my program.
Here’s that link to that original article: http://www.lakotawestbands.org/PDF/2006-07%20Instrumentalist%20Magazine%20Lakota%20West.pdf