An examination of flex scoring as a means to provide quality literature to small bands with limited instrumentation
Abstract
Small bands are limited in terms of repertoire. Incomplete or unbalanced instrumentation prevents small bands from accessing quality repertoire and or music of higher-grade levels. This in turn can have an effect on student growth in these programs. This project will explore various models of flexible scoring of quality repertoire as a means to fill the need for quality repertoire in small band programs. Published flexible arrangements, marketed to small band programs, have existed for over a decade. These arrangements take a piece of music and condense it down to its basic four to five-part voicings and provide parts for all instruments in all keys. This scoring allows directors to make substitutions without having to rewrite parts or have students transpose or seek out special permissions from composers and publishers if significant substitutions need to be made to adapt a work. This is done while striving to maintain the composer’s intent and essential features of the piece. Flexible scoring has recently come to the forefront in the wind band world due rehearsal size limitations many band programs faced during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic. As a response to this pandemic a group of wind band composers started the Creative Repertoire Initiative to promote this style of scoring to fill the need for adaptable works that can be performed by bands much smaller than the traditional large wind ensemble. Post pandemic, most band programs will return to the standard repertoire and scoring; small band programs, however, will continue to have the same challenges of instrumentation when selecting repertoire. This project will compare categories of adaptable music as defined by the Creative Repertoire Initiative, focusing on music in the flexible category and variations within that category. The quality and grade levels of selected pieces will be determined by comparing various state music educator association prescribed music lists (PML) and previous studies to determine wind band repertoire of high artistic merit. This project will select eight flexible arrangements that meet the criteria and make a comparative performance analysis of the flexible scoring and original score. This project will also seek to identify other quality works for wind band that are suitable for adapting to the flexible score model.
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- OU - Dissertations [9388]
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