At 0:18 in the video, it is the composer, under the heading of "performance notes", that states the importance of the tempo. I do agree with those that cringe at the thought of inability to keep up that can result in a train wreck. Still, shouldn't a band attempt to fulfill his wishes in regard to the work?
There are concerns expressed by others over a
"train wreck", I think not so pesimistic. You are very aware of what your band is capable of and not capable of, just as I am aware of our community band. The fact that your director entertained that the band perform the piece is a good indicator he has confidence of the band's potential in doing a satisfactory performance.
I'm only an alto player, not the director. We do have, at this time, one percussionist but the band has contacts with a professional one that came to our aid at our last concert.
Similarly we have those who because of demanding schedules, cannot make every rehearsal, but toward the end make that last couple and the performance. That includes music teachers and Eastern New Mexico University student musicians.
For some reason, our own percussionist felt that a trip to Hawaii sounded like a better idea that being in Norton, Ohio. Go figure!
I know you are being facetious!
😉 We missed a couple rehearsals with a late Winter trip to the Philippines. 🏝️
Sadly, three others left the band this year for various reasons.
We have the exact same problem. Couple years ago, a very proficient trumpeter, doctors in music, just completed and passed her thesis, found music education employment in another state. A few years ago, she and I had a fun challenge at Walmart department store "bell ringing" a capella next to a Christmas donation kettle
(used to raise funds for Salvation Army social services). She did the north entrance, I did the south entrance.
We lost our first and second alto saxist during Covid. He was in his 90's and his friend was in his late 80's. Lost a trombonist and his trumpet wife due to declining health. Lost another excellent trombonist, a graduating high school student, now enrolled in college. But we gained a few, a new tenor saxist. A few others were introduced Monday before last, augmenting other sections.
Because employment is sparse in this small community, some stay for a bit then found better paying work elsewhere. The good thing is the area has historically been a good area for its school music programmes.
These are decisions for whoever is the director... is that you?
No, Steve is doing fine job without my help.
😉 Our community band has almost a half dozen mid-school and high school band instructors, we are not short of directors. In the past I have conducted my share of sectionals.
There's also the question of what the strings are going to play and what happens with the percussion parts.
We have one string bass player. She can play anything thrown her way, so she holds her own.
As a symphonic band, at times we play arranged parts from transcribed orchestral pieces. During concerts, it has varied through years, but Spring Concert we had maybe 40 players. So, the "strings" were covered.
If these things are your responsibility then you've got other things to consider that are far more pressing than what tempo you start out at. Bars 21 and 22 Plus 52 and 53 are bells and percussion. Is your ensemble going to just be silent for each of those those two bar sections? The tympani also plays a big part throughout.
We had maybe 5 percussionists at that concert. So, we have parts covered. Tympanies, bells, glockenspiel, xylophone, snares, bass drum, cymbals, percussionist "toys", all important parts were covered. In places, one percussionist used the trap set, which did a couple duties. Sometimes during shortages, another woodwind or brasswind player who has a lot of rests in their part may do double duty with a percussion "toy"
(castinettes, tambourine, wood block, triangle, and etc.)
Maybe these aren't your responsibility, however they need to be attended to immediately... otherwise what are your string players practicing? Who covers the missing bars?
Those questions are for
@ESJohn . We have enough of our own share of fun to take care of.
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