Programming Concert Repertory

Programming repertory for a community instrumental ensemble can be a challenge for new directors.  Here are some things you may want to think about as you begin to program your first concert sets.

Overall level: Many works are graded, meaning they have a number assigned to them based on their difficulty.  In the United States, a 1-5 scale is used, where 1 is absolute beginner bands/orchestras and 5 is collegiate wind ensembles/orchestras.  Understanding where your band/orchestra fits in is important.  If you program too many difficult pieces, your players may become frustrated and you may not have enough rehearsal time to cover all of the issues in the pieces.  if you program material that is too easy, your musicians may not grow significantly by rehearsing the pieces and may become bored.

Instrumentation: Did you program a beautiful piece at the right level only to discover later it requires six horn players to pull off or has a beautiful exposed English Horn solo and you have no English Horn player?  What percussion is required— do you own all of the instruments required to cover the percussion parts?  Do you have enough players?  These are important considerations.  Sometimes you can make alterations or adjustments to make a piece work or some of the parts will be doubles of others, but a quick browse through the score will help you to decide which are vital.

Contrast and Content: Having a theme can really tie the pieces together.  I’ve seen some very creative themes, such as “Gods and Monsters”, “Fire”, “Fairytale Endings”, etc.  However, ensure that your theme allows for enough contrast.  I once went to a concert of nothing but Sousa marches.  I love Sousa, but the marches all have the same form and structure, and stay in the same few keys.  The result was an hour and a half of monotony that bored the audience.  Also, be sure the music is accessible.  If your audience is a normal “popular” community band audience, don’t program an hour of twentieth-century avant-guard works.  

There is much more that can be said about repertory planning, but this gives you a few good basic guidelines.  Best of luck in writing your first concert programs!