Orchestra, Band, Wind Ensemble -- What's the Difference?

Orchestra

Orchestras are large ensembles comprised of a mix of instruments from different families, including strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion. Orchestral ensembles typically perform classical music. There are two types of orchestras: symphonic and chamber. Symphony orchestras range from seventy to one hundred musicians, depending on the concert hall. Chamber orchestras refer to smaller-sized groups of approximately fifty musicians or fewer.
Figure 1. Layout of typical orchestra.
Source: https://australiandiscoveryorchestra.com/section-sponsorship/

Band

In the musical world, band is an overarching term that can be used to describe school, jazz, or marching bands. I only have experience with a school band, so when I say "band", I am referring to a school band. Bands are large ensembles comprised of woodwinds, brass, and percussion. The size of the band varies depending on school district, but they usually contain about eighty to one hundred players. Bands play a wide variety of music, ranging from marches to arrangements of contemporary, pop-style pieces.
Figure 2. Layout and size of typical school band.
Source: http://www.rocky.edu/academics/academic-programs/undergraduate-majors/music/InvitationalHonorsConcert.php

Wind Ensemble

A wind ensemble is comprised of the same type of instruments as band, but it is more selective. Wind ensembles only have one or two players on a part, whereas bands could have four or five people on a part. Due to part distribution, they usually have about forty players. Since only one or two people can be on a part, wind ensembles have strict auditioning processes. A wind ensemble's repertoire includes original wind compositions, arrangements of orchestral pieces, and popular tunes.
Figure 3. Layout of typical wind ensemble.
Source: https://kaibu.deviantart.com/art/Ivy-Div-Band-Concert-Layout-137477984

Just to clarify...


Comments