School band
A school band is a group of student musicians who rehearse and perform instrumental music together.
Many international observers of Japanese school bands consider them to be the most impressive in the world, particularly among very young students, and Japan is also home to one of the world's leading professional concert bands, the Tokyo Kosei Wind Orchestra.
Although some children learn an instrument prior to entering middle school (or junior high), students in music education programs within the United States and Canada generally start daily band classes in the 6th or 7th Grade.
The students usually make up a band based on their grades, which may then be broken up into sectionals to provide better instrument-specific instruction.
It is sometimes required for beginner students to play a recorder for a year before learning another instrument, so that basics, such as scales, embouchure, etc.
Other requirements may include learning a piano or guitar to understand basic music theory, notation, etc.
A "beginning" band, consisting of the youngest students in the school, usually gives two or three concerts a year, and may participate in a local/state contest.
There are many pieces other than marches written for wind band at present, but there are some historical standards that should be included into the repertoire of advanced ensembles.
[1] In higher education institutions, numerous colleges and universities offer band programs as formal courses, often integrated within a broader musical curriculum.
These college bands distinguish themselves from their high school counterparts by their larger size and elevated musical proficiency.
The expanded membership and diverse skill levels within these collegiate bands contribute to a richer and more complex musical experience.
Typical instrumentation for jazz ensembles will include trumpets, trombones, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones, a drum set (often called a "trap set"), guitar, bass guitar, piano, clarinet and often, a vibraphone or marimba.
In addition, jazz education is seen as growing in popularity as a specialty area within school music departments.
Schools rarely have chamber music ensembles that meet as real classes, usually depending on the region, state and budget.
Most of these groups are ad hoc ensembles put together by the director or the students themselves for a contest or recital.
There are many different "All-Region" bands, ranging from the most local "All-County" or "All-District"(when referring to school districts) to the more prestigious "All-State".
Musical literature is often increased in difficulty for the concerts, providing a challenge that isn't seen at schools.
The repertoire of modern band is evolving as it draws from commercially dominant and contemporary music styles of the day such as pop, rock, disco, reggae, hip-hop and more.
[8] These terms have become a label of pride for many band members, being found on T-shirts, bumper stickers, etc.
Both church and society enforced restrictions during the Middle Ages and Renaissance periods that limited which instruments women were allowed to play.
[9] It was common for orchestras to be exclusively made up of male musicians, and women were encouraged to keep their musical practice within the privacy of their home.
