Incorporating Wind Excerpts in the School Band Curriculum
Robert Bruns · Music Educators Journal · 2010
^TM^ rofessional musicians and college stuI J dents commonly study orchestral ex1^ cerpts, but a similar practice has yet I to be implemented in the band field. (In this article, the term band will be understood to include the wind ensemble.) Due to their widespread use in orchestral auditions, excerpts have been incorporated as a tool for musical development. Many college professors regularly assign excerpt study as part of their curricula. In addition, professional musicians teach master classes based solely around the playing and interpretation of these passages. Because of the limited number of professional bands in the United States today, musicians may not think of wind excerpts as a vehicle for technical and musical growth. A well-considered approach to wind literature, however, will open up new material for technical development in an authentic musical context. Additionally, band students at the high school and college levels can reap important musical benefits by adopting the methodology of our orchestral colleagues.