A parent's guide to school band programs

Orchestra

Orchestras perform seated on stage. They vary greatly in size from small chamber orchestras, which have only a few winds and percussionists, to very large groups that have almost as many winds as a small band. Instructional classes for strings usually don't include wind and percussion players, but many schools do offer orchestra as an option for students who have been in the strings or band program. This may be a class or an extra-curricular activity. The repertoire is mostly "classical" music , with some "pops"-type arrangements.

Even a small orchestra is likely to include flutes , oboes , clarinets , bassoons , trumpets , French horns and/or percussionists (typically two of each). Larger orchestras will add more of these instruments, as well as trombones , tubas , and possibly some of the more unusual concert band winds. Most orchestras do not use more than about four of each wind instrument, although there are exceptions. Orchestras generally do not use saxophones, baritones or euphoniums at all.

Garage bands

For many reasons, including time and liability, your school's band program can't help out if your child and friends decide to start a band of their own. Not every would-be rock star is in the school band, and not every school band member wants to start their own band, but plenty of school band students do end up in garage bands, too. For teens who want to organize their own musical groups (in any genre), school band is an excellent practical experience, providing real-life lessons in how to run a rehearsal efficiently and how to solve ensemble problems.

The garage band will not be able to use school facilities or equipment, however, so parents may need to help find rehearsal and performance venues. A group that includes percussion will probably need to be loud during rehersals, as there is no adequate way to mute drums, and balance between the instruments is an important part of the rehearsal. Other groups can reasonably be asked to rehearse quietly.

Many teens will be able to find places to perform. Even if you do not enjoy the musical genre they have chosen, you may want to attend some of their performances to make sure you are comfortable with the performance situations. If a garage band has trouble finding places to perform, you may want to help them check local clubs, pubs and eateries that are or might be interested in live music. For an unknown group, an audition for the owner and/or an offer to play for free on a slow night are reasonable. The band's genre and style will need to be appropriate for the ambience of wherever they are playing, but keep in mind that bands that bring in money by bringing fans with them are popular with owners. As a band gets popular, it will be reasonable to negotiate performance fees or ask for a share of the cover charge. Other performance possibilities include a local "battle of the bands" or talent contest, or arranging a concert for friends in someone's home (take care not to disturb the peace of the neighborhood). Some communities may have facilities that can be reserved for free for events, or the band may want to consider renting a space and recouping the money by charging a modest entrance fee for their concert. (They are less likely to lose money in such an endeavor if they rent the space in conjunction with a few other garage bands, so that more fans show up and the rental fee can be shared.) Regardless of whether a space is free or rented, check ahead of time to make sure there will be no problem with using the space for music, particularly if the band has a very loud sound.