IGSMA - Southern Division

Suggested Ensemble Classification

Classify An Ensemble

Please enter the requested information below. Then click the "Calculate" button to see the results of your entry. The data you enter will not only help you classify an instrumental ensemble, but will build a reference data base for others to search in the future. You can scroll down to see how this program was developed.

Title
Composer
Publisher
Collection
Arranger
Instrumentation
       

In the eight categories below, select the phrase that best describes this ensemble.

Ensemble Type
Meter
Key
Rhythm
Articulation
Dynamics
Range
Counterpoint
   
 
   
 

Classifying An Instrumental Ensemble

In the late 1980’s, the IGSMA discovered that keeping a suggested instrumental ensemble list was quite time consuming
and expensive. Glenn Knobloch, band director Mascoutah Middle School, developed a one page method of classifying
wind ensembles using a point system.
This point system has been incorporated into this data base and is to be used by you, the director, as a starting point
to the classification of wind ensembles. The data base will calculate your responses and give you a classification. In
addition, this data base will then stores your entries and allow you to print a report of your ensembles and their
classifications for future reference.

The classifications and point values that Glenn developed are as follows:

Instrumentation

Rhythm

Range

1. Duet 1. whole; half; quarter 1. under an octave
2. Trio 2. dotted-quarter; eighth 2. octave
3. Quartet 3. dotted-eighth & sixteenth; eighth & sixteenth 3. octave plus
4. any other configuration 4. eighth-triplet; sixteenth 4. two octaves plus

Meter

Articulation

Counterpoint

1. Simple 1. Slurs, easy tongue 1. rhythmically together
2. Simple - with change 2. tongue and slur combination 2. melody with accompaniment
3. Compound or Cut-time 3. fast sixteenth; grace notes 3. melodic line switches from line to line
4. Simple to Compound 4. switch from eighth to eighth-triplet; trills 4. canon; two against three (rhythmically)

Key (concert pitch)

Dynamics

Points (sum of points from each category selection)

1. F, Bb, Eb 1. p, f, mp, mf Class A 32 - 28
2. change of keys 2. pp, ff, accents Class B 27 - 23
3. C, Ab, accidentals 3. cresc., dim. Class C 22 - 18
4. G, D, Db, Gb, others 4. fp, sfz, other Class D 17 - 13
    Class E 12 - 8

 

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