In order to project the instrument needs of the band in the upcoming years it is important to understand the typical breakdown for optimal instrumentation within the band. These numbers should remain fairly consistent throughout the various grade levels.
The following chart demonstrates a good idea of optimal instrumentation based on a 100 member beginner band class. Be sure to denote instruments that are 'school owned' and provided by the district. Also, make known the purchases the student using a school owned instrument will incur, such as mouthpiece, cleaning supplies, books, instrument use fee, etc. These instruments are what must be considered for the purpose of your 5 Year Plan document.
Also note that percussionists are required to purchase a practice marimba/bell kit and a practice pad for home use. They do use school owned instruments while at school and therefore these instruments must be considered in the instrument needs plan, especially as the program grows.
Even though these are optimal numbers for a beginning band; there are many other variables that must be considered on a year-to-year basis when deciding how many students to start on a particular instrument. These might include current needs in the band program, student instrument preference, etc. Be careful not to get blocked in to any certain number of students so decisions can be made based upon what is best for the students and the entire band program.
Another consideration is that these are numbers for the instruments that are started in beginner band. In grades 7-12, instruments such as piccolo, English horn, bass clarinet, contra-bass clarinet, soprano sax, tenor and bari sax and bass trombone, are then added to the band. In addition, at the high school level, consideration must be given to the need for marching baritone, marching horn/mellophone, sousaphones, and marching percussion.
Educate your administration and Board of Trustees on the difference between marching instruments and concert instruments. Educate them on the various functions of each instrument within the ensemble. They know sports, but they don't know band and it is your responsibility, as the expert, to provide the information they need to make sound decisions.
The following chart demonstrates a good idea of optimal instrumentation based on a 100 member beginner band class. Be sure to denote instruments that are 'school owned' and provided by the district. Also, make known the purchases the student using a school owned instrument will incur, such as mouthpiece, cleaning supplies, books, instrument use fee, etc. These instruments are what must be considered for the purpose of your 5 Year Plan document.
Also note that percussionists are required to purchase a practice marimba/bell kit and a practice pad for home use. They do use school owned instruments while at school and therefore these instruments must be considered in the instrument needs plan, especially as the program grows.
Even though these are optimal numbers for a beginning band; there are many other variables that must be considered on a year-to-year basis when deciding how many students to start on a particular instrument. These might include current needs in the band program, student instrument preference, etc. Be careful not to get blocked in to any certain number of students so decisions can be made based upon what is best for the students and the entire band program.
Another consideration is that these are numbers for the instruments that are started in beginner band. In grades 7-12, instruments such as piccolo, English horn, bass clarinet, contra-bass clarinet, soprano sax, tenor and bari sax and bass trombone, are then added to the band. In addition, at the high school level, consideration must be given to the need for marching baritone, marching horn/mellophone, sousaphones, and marching percussion.
Educate your administration and Board of Trustees on the difference between marching instruments and concert instruments. Educate them on the various functions of each instrument within the ensemble. They know sports, but they don't know band and it is your responsibility, as the expert, to provide the information they need to make sound decisions.
