Extending the Discussion: Making the Grade: What Makes a Piece Difficult for Less Experienced Ensembles?

Abstract

Rawlings recommended that music teachers should select pieces for large-ensemble adjudicated events that not only challenge student musicians but also help ensure student success and promote a positive experience preparing for and participating in the event. Ideally, the selections should balance the strengths of the ensemble with the challenges of the selections—a task that can be difficult for directors with less experienced ensembles. Aspects of instrumentation and scoring, such as range, number of parts, exposure, and the use of specialized equipment or instruments, can make a piece more or less challenging for young performers. Technical demands such as executive skills, rhythms, harmonies, tonalities, and structural issues can challenge these students as well.

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