Session 6: Seating and instrumentation

What is the purpose of the seating arrangement?

• Learner needs - education, attention, support, motivation, etc.
• Ensemble considerations - instrumentation, musical considerations.

How will you determine seating assignments? 

• Competitive approach - audition, challenge, etc.
• Collaborative approach - placement hearing, mentorship, rotational, etc.

 What are the outcomes of seating decisions?

• Individual education, experience, development
• Musical product
• Group culture or behavior

What are some of the forces that influence seating decisions?

• Expectations (yours, parents, students, private teachers)
• Past practice

Some Standard* Instrumental Ensembles Found in School Programs

• Chamber ensembles
• String Quartet - violin, violin, viola, cello
• Wood Wind Quintet - flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn
• Brass Quintet - trumpet, trumpet, horn, trombone, tuba
• Saxophone Quartet - soprano or alto, alto, tenor, baritone
• Jazz Combo - piano, bass, drums, guitar?, horns
  

*Many other ensembles exist for percussion, winds, strings, brass, and mixtures thereof.

• Large groups (parts)
• Band and/or Wind Ensemble (Picc., 2 flute, 3 clarinet, bass clarinet, 2 bassoon, 2 alto sax, tenor sax, baritone sax, 4 horn, 3 cornet, 2 trumpet, 3 trombone, euphonium and/or baritone, tuba, tympani, percussion)
• Orchestra (2 violin, viola, cello, bass, 2 flute, 2 oboe, 2 clarinet, 2 bassoon, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, tympani, percussion)
• Jazz band (2 alto sax, 2 tenor sax, baritone sax, 4 trombones, 4 trumpets, piano, guitar, bass, drums, aux. percussion)
• Marching Band (may be similar to concert band wihout double reeds; may be all brass, may be other configuations; may use extensive keyboard percussion in the "pit")
  

*Other large ensembles are emerging as the model for instrumental music evolves beyond its Eurocentric base.

Questions to Consider before Our Next Class
Examine the seating charts in the resource packet, as well as others you might find or know from your own experience.  Before class give thought to the following questions:

• What purpose does seating serve? 
• How do you seat students in ensembles?
• What are the outcomes of your decisions?
• What are some standard seating arrangements?
• Why would you choose one arrangement over another?

Session 7 Class Notes

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