Total Musicians: Tools to Help Your Ensemble Members Develop Skills as Individual Players

For most school-age band and orchestra students, much, if not all, of their instrumental music experience comes from performing with the larger ensembles – concert band, marching band, jazz ensemble, and string or full orchestra. While playing in these ensembles, the young musicians not only develop technical expertise, but also develop other valuable musical skills such as listening, balancing, blending with other members of their section (as well as the rest of the ensemble), phrasing, group intonation, and being part of the total “team.”

Although these are all valuable and necessary attributes in becoming a successful “ensemble” musician, there are other musical aspects to acquire in order to become a “total” musician. These skills include individual expression and interpretation, endurance, confidence as a soloist or as a member of a very small group, and individual responsibility.

Aside from participating in solo and ensemble activities organized through school programs and state Music Educator shows, a great way to develop these more individual skills is to perform in a smaller group as a member of a duo, trio, or quartet with colleagues in band or orchestra, or at home with family and friends. Here are several popular series that are specifically designed to help fulfill these needs:

• Pop Duets for All
• Pop Trios for All
• Pop Quartets for All
• Movie Duets for All
• Movie Trios for All
• Movie Quartets for All

There are several benefits to utilizing these books as tools in developing total musicianship. Not only are these arrangements fun and self-motivating, they are versatile and educational.

Benefits for Students:

1. Each book contains popular material students will quickly recognize including themes from Star Wars , Harry Potter , and more. Both series are playable by any number or combination of like or mixed brass, woodwind, string, or percussion instruments.
2. Students can advance into more difficult arrangements with each book progressing from grade 1 to grade 4—the layout, measures, and paging are the same for each instrument.
3. With no page turns required, the songs and measures are consistent, which makes finding rehearsal points quick and convenient.
4. Alternate octaves are included to best suit individual instruments and mixed ability levels.

Solo performance, as well as performing in a small group, along with larger ensemble experience, go a long way in the development of total musicianship for all students. Best wishes for a great year!