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Ensemble Types

Ensemble Types
Most of us spend our pre-college lives in the band setting. If we are lucky, our school has an orchestra program that tries to incorporate winds. In the band setting, we are surrounded by other woodwinds, brass, and percussion instruments. Bands are the leading forces in school ensembles through college, but then there are not many examples of bands outside of the school setting. They are many military bands that exist across the world, but professional bands outside of military connections are rarely found.
Orchestra is the other most common type of ensemble you could be a part of. In this ensemble, the winds sections are greatly reduced and the string family is added in. The standard setting is for two violin sections, a viola section, cello section, and bass section. If you are put in orchestra for the first time when you enter college, do not be afraid to ask your teacher and your colleagues for tips and advice. It is a different setting from band and can require a different type of playing so do whatever it takes to make yourself comfortable.
Chamber music is the third major type of playing you should encounter in college. Chamber music simply refers to smaller ensembles. For horns, the most common are brass quintets and woodwind quintets. We are the only instrument that comes standard in both and they each require their own type of playing. In the woodwind quintet we often overbalance the other wind players but in the brass quintet setting, it tends to be the complete opposite. There are many different variations in types of chamber music groups so experiment with playing in as many settings as possible. You may surprise yourself with what you enjoy the most!

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