Parents ask us this a lot, usually after their child comes home from a CCA fair with two forms and no idea which to pick. Band or orchestra?
The short answer is that the difference comes down to one thing. Strings.
What is a band?
A band is a group of woodwind, brass and percussion instruments. There are no violins, violas or cellos, though many bands add a double bass to support the low notes.
When people in Singapore say band, they usually mean a concert band, also called a symphonic band, wind ensemble or wind orchestra. That is the kind of band you see at school concerts and at the Singapore Youth Festival. There are other kinds too:
- Marching band, which plays while moving in formation
- Military band, such as the bands of the Singapore Armed Forces
- Brass band, which uses only brass and percussion
- Drum and bugle corps, which mixes music with movement and visuals
A concert band includes flutes, clarinets, saxophones, oboes and bassoons in the woodwind section, trumpets, horns, trombones, euphoniums and tubas in the brass, and a percussion section covering everything from snare drum and cymbals to xylophone and timpani.
What is an orchestra?
An orchestra is built around a large string section: violins, violas, cellos and double basses. Woodwind, brass and percussion sit behind the strings, in smaller numbers than you would find in a band.
A symphony orchestra is the full size version, with a big string section. A chamber orchestra is smaller and often plays earlier music written for fewer players.
How the sound differs
This is the part most people notice first.
A band sounds bold, bright and punchy. With so many wind and brass players, it can be very powerful, and rhythm often drives the music forward. It is exciting to play in and to hear live.
An orchestra sounds lush and blended. Strings can play very softly for a long time and swell gradually, which gives orchestras enormous range. It is the sound most people link with film music, ballet and the great classical symphonies.
Neither is better. They are different colours.
The music they play
Orchestras have centuries of music written for them, from Bach and Mozart to film scores.
Bands have a newer repertoire, most of it from the last hundred years, and it is growing fast. Composers around the world write for band, including many in Asia. Bands also play arrangements of pop, film and musical theatre, so the variety is wide.
Band and orchestra in Singapore
Both are strong here. Concert bands are one of the most common music CCAs in secondary schools and take part in the Singapore Youth Festival Arts Presentation. There are also many community and youth bands.
Singapore has a healthy orchestra scene too, including school string ensembles and youth orchestras such as the Singapore National Youth Orchestra.
Which suits your child?
Here is a rough guide. Every child is different, so treat it as a starting point.
Band might suit your child if they
- love a big, energetic sound
- are drawn to brass, saxophone or drums
- enjoy a lively, social group
- like variety in the music they play
Orchestra might suit your child if they
- love soaring melodies and classical music
- want to play violin, viola or cello
- are drawn to film and ballet music
- enjoy a more formal setting
If your child wants to play flute, clarinet, oboe, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba or percussion, they can do either. Wind players in an orchestra usually have their own part, which is exciting but also more exposed.
The choice is not permanent
Reading music, counting, listening, tuning and following a conductor all carry over from one to the other. Plenty of musicians play in both at different stages. So pick the one your child is most excited about right now, and let them grow from there.
Questions parents ask us
Is a wind orchestra the same as a concert band?
Mostly, yes. Concert band, symphonic band, wind ensemble and wind orchestra are all names for a band of woodwind, brass and percussion. The names hint at size and style, but the instruments are the same family.
Does a band ever use strings?
Usually not, with one common exception. Many concert bands include a double bass to strengthen the low end. Some pieces also use harp or piano.
Can a wind player join an orchestra?
Yes. Orchestras need flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons, horns, trumpets, trombones, tuba and percussion. There are just fewer wind seats in an orchestra than in a band, so places can be more competitive.
