concertband

A concert band is a large instrumental ensemble that centers on woodwinds, brass, and percussion. It is typically non-professional or semi-professional and is common in schools, universities, community groups, and municipal organizations. The ensemble’s primary function is concert performance in seated venues, rather than field or parade work typical of marching bands.

Standard instrumentation includes a range of woodwinds (piccolo, flutes, oboes, clarinets, bassoons, and often saxophones), a brass section (trumpets, horns, trombones, euphoniums, tubas), and a percussion battery (timpani, mallet percussion, snare, and auxiliary drums). Some groups also use piano, harp, or double bass. The exact makeup varies by region and repertoire, and concert bands commonly range from about 40 to 100 players.

Repertoire spans original wind-band works, orchestral transcriptions, and contemporary commissions. Classic wind-band literature features Gustav Holst’s First Suite in E-flat major and Second Suite in F minor, Ralph Vaughan Williams’s English Folk Song Suite, and Percy Grainger’s Lincolnshire Posy. In recent decades, composers such as John Mackey, James Barnes, and David Maslanka have expanded the wind-band canon with new works that emphasize the ensemble’s blend and color.

The term “concert band” distinguishes this format from marching bands and other wind groups. Related terms include wind band, symphonic band, and wind ensemble, which can reflect differences in size, repertoire, or regional usage. Concert bands play a central role in music education and community arts, offering ongoing performance opportunities and repertoire exploration for players of varying ages and skill levels.