Concert Band vs Symphonic Band
Concert band and symphonic band are two names that refer to a group of musicians performing together in western music. However, these two names have the same meaning in general parlance, i.e., there is no difference between concert band and symphonic band. Both refer to an ensemble playing woodwind, percussion and brass instruments. In addition to these two names, this is also known as wind symphony, wind band or wind orchestra.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Difference
2. What is Concert Band/Symphonic Band
3. Instruments Used in Concert Bands/Symphonic Bands
4. Comparison – Concert Bands vs Symphonic Bands
5. Summary
What is a Concert Band/Symphonic Band?
As mentioned above, there is no difference between concert band and symphonic band. However, in some institutions like schools and universities, the term symphonic is used to refer to a more advanced band whereas concert is used to refer to the normal band.
Concert band or symphonic band typically refers to an ensemble playing woodwind, percussion and brass instruments. The main element of these ensembles is the woodwind section. This is why it is also known as wind band, wind symphony, wind orchestras, wind ensemble. These bands usually play includes wind compositions, light music, transcriptions of orchestral compositions and popular tunes.
Instruments Used in Concert Bands/Symphonic Bands
Woodwind Instruments
A wind instrument is an instrument which produces sound by the vibration of reeds in the mouthpiece or by the passing of air across the mouthpiece. Clarinet, oboe, bassoon, flute, and saxophone are examples of woodwind instruments.
Percussion Instruments
A percussion instrument is an instrument in which the sound is produced by striking or scraping by a beater or hand or striking against another similar instrument. Different types of drums, xylophones, etc. are examples of percussion instruments.
Brass Instruments
A brass instrument is an instrument that produces sound by vibration of air in a tubular resonator in sympathy with the vibration of the player’s lips. These instruments are typically made of brass. Trumpet, trombone, cornet, tuba and euphonium are some examples of brass instruments.
Figure 01: A full concert band—Indiana Wind Symphony in concert, 2014
What is the difference between Concert Band and Symphonic Band?
- Concert band and symphonic band are two names that refer to ensemble playing woodwind, percussion and brass instruments.
- Although these two are synonyms, some schools use these two terms to refer to two types of bands. In such cases, concert band refers to the normal school band whereas symphonic band refers to a more advanced band.
Summary – Concert Band vs Symphonic Band
There is no difference between concert band and symphonic band. Both these terms refer to an ensemble playing woodwind, percussion and brass instruments. This is also known as wind band, wind symphony, wind orchestras, and wind ensemble. The main constitute of this band is the woodwind instruments.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Concert Band” By Mark Kimpel – Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons by SreeBot. (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia