The Military Band - Regimental Drum Major Association

CHAPTER 3
THE CONCERT BAND
Section I. AUTHORIZATION AND INSTRUMENTATION
18. Purpose.
The band proves its primary value as a morale
building and community relations factor through
its public appearances and concerts both on the
military reservation and in the civilian community.
The principal importance of the band in concert
is to provide good musical entertainment for
its audiences and to present programs that will
exert some definite influence toward mental relaxation,
inspiration, and development of patriotism
and esprit de corps in its listeners.
certain substitutions are frequently effective.
Most efective substitutions are made by hav-
ing missing parts played by other instruments
of the same key and of similar tone quality. The
piano player occasionally can be substituted for
missing instrumentalists such as flute, oboe, and
bassoon players. If more than one part is missing,
the piano player can work from a full or con-
densed score. Other substitutions, such as alto
saxophone for alto clarinet, also are efective.
19. Authorization
Strength authorizations of Army bands are predicated
on the performance of commercially published
standard band literature. To achieve acceptable
results, maximum usage must be made
of musicians authorized and assigned (particularly
in small bands) since most band literature
is written and arranged for large bands. Where
possible, all parts should be played.
20. Substitution of Instrumentation
When adequate instrumentation is not assigned,
21. Balance
The band must be balanced properly to achieve
acceptable results. Balance must be maintained in
and between sections and groups. Instruments
within sections should be distributed evenly so
that a balanced harmonic situation is obtained.
The groups also should be balanced so that a de-
sirable blend results. For example, the woodwind
group should be matched evenly with the brass
and percussion groups. Balance is achieved best
when sections are not separated.
Section II. PROGRAM PLANNING
22. Selection of Music paramount importance. If material is selected
which is too difficult for the players, a ragged
In the selection of music, the type and size of the performance can result. Music which allows the
audience for which the band will play must be of more proficient musicians to display their skills
prime consideration. The selections to be played on solo passages will stimulate the players to
should be left to the discretion of the bandmaster, work harder and will be of greater interest to the
who must prepare an entertaining, interesting, audiences.
and well-balanced program. To insure the success
of a musical performance, the program must be 23. Music Commemorating Special Events
cohesive and not be a sequence of musical num- In programs commemorating any special event,
bers selected at random. The selection of music the mood of the chosen selections should conform
well suited to the instrumentation of the band to the nature of the occasion. Special care should
and the organization of a program that will cap- be exercised in the choice of music for such proture
and maintain the audience's interest are of grams.