Band vs Orchestra

[Anonymous]

Please excuse this very simple question. I moved to the US two years ago and I am not very familiar with the system. My daughter’s elementary school has a band and an orchestra program. My daughter is confused over which one she wants. It is her choice of course. But I am curious what is the difference when it comes to the culture, the type of music and instruments, and the type of kids that join. My daughter is shy and English isn’t her first language

[Anonymous]

In elementary school, usually orchestra is just strings. Band is wind instruments
and percussion. What instrument does she want to play?

[Anonymous]

In high school, band includes marching band and concerts and orchestra/strings is just concerts.

If there's an instrument or type of music that your DC particularly likes, then go with that. If she/you just like music, then consider that band is more of a community of supportive people, while orchestra is less social. They are both good programs but may suit different people differently.

[Anonymous]

If you kid becomes serious about music, there are fewer opportunities for younger kids if they play a band instrument because a full orchestra does not include brass instruments until the string players get pretty good. That was a source of frustration for my son in 4th and 5th grade. He is now a brass player in one of the regional orchestras and most of the string players are a few years older than him.

[Anonymous]

Much later, orchestra (strings, and winds/brass/percussion) will tend to perform more traditionally classical music, while band (winds/brass/percussion) is somewhat less likely to do so.

Some instruments (winds/brass/percussion) will allow your child to play in a range of ensembles, including jazz band for some. Strings will be more limited to orchestra.

I agree about letting your child decide what sort of instrument to start out with. She can always switch later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In high school, band includes marching band and concerts and orchestra/strings is just concerts.

If there's an instrument or type of music that your DC particularly likes, then go with that. If she/you just like music, then consider that band is more of a community of supportive people, while orchestra is less social. They are both good programs but may suit different people differently.

I'd point out that high school band does not HAVE to involve marching band. At least at Wakefield, there is a concert band (intermediate) and symphonic band (advanced). Symphonic band members must also participate in marching band. Concert band members can participate in marching band if they choose to do so. A student who likes band and concerts but who does not want to do marching band can choose to remain in concert band regardless of "advance" musical skills. Most participate in marching band and few upper classmen stay in concert band; but some do.

There are also jazz ensemble and jazz lab opportunities, as well as playing in pit orchestra (percussion and both strings and brass/wind players) for the theater department's musical productions. Wakefield also has a guitar ensemble...don't know about WL or YHS. Orchestra is strings only.

Kids pick an instrument in 4th grade; but they can change. One of my kids started on violin but changed to a woodwind instrument in 5th grade. Directors may even ask a band student to change instruments in middle or high school based on which instruments they need.

Another commenter suggested band doesn't play much classical music. I wouldn't say that. Marching band shows can be a wide variety of musical types: classical, pop, swing, jazz. Just depends on the theme of the show the director chooses any given year. Also, during concert season, they typically play a march of some sort, music specifically arranged for concert bands including "classical" style, and occasionally something more "fun." No, they don't typically play Mozart or Beethoven; but stylistically, I wouldn't leave someone thinking band is only social and fun Sousa marches. But marching band is absolutely more "social." Symphonic and concert bands not so much, aside from the relationships and commeraderie built via marching band season. But in our experience and viewpoints, every music ensemble is great for building comeraderie and getting to know classmates and making friends.

I agree your child should play whatever instrument(s) they want/are available for them to choose. If they really want the marching band experience but don't play a marching instrument when they get to high school, there are still options: often they can become members of the pit (sideline percussion.... xylophones, triangles, etc); they can also be part of the color guard.