what is the similarities and differences of the organization and purpose of a band and orchestra?

Answer 1

In general, a band is composed of winds, brass, and percussion. An orchestra is composed of strings, winds, brass, and percussion. The exact orchestrations vary depending on the genre of the work they are performing. In both the organization is by instrument.

Most "classical" (Baroque, Classical, and Romantic) composers composed for orchestra. The function was [what is today referred to as] art music, such as symphonies. Bands were not really in existence during this time, because many of the traditional band instruments were still in their infancy. That is not to say there were not small wind ensembles that would perform, because there were.

Military bands were early forms of the current band. They were largely brass and percussion with a few winds. Their primary function was march and military music. Their function was similar to the function of the military bands today, such as the Marine Corp Band. As popularity of certain instruments grew so did the sections. There were variations on this such as a swing band.

Today, the lines are blurred. Many works are written for symphonic band which is a wind version of an orchestra. There are many "classical" works edited for bands or wind ensembles. Orchestras still have primarily the same function of playing more traditional works and modern art music.

Answer 2

There are a lot of blurred lines and grey areas surrounding this terminology. Officially, a 'band' consists of instruments of only one family of instruments. So, a brass band will comprise all brass instruments (plus some percussion). However, this rule is broken more times than it is kept; a military band will comprise woodwind, brass, percussion and perhaps some double basses to bolster the bass line. The word 'band' is seldom used to describe a group of string instruments alone - that will nearly always be a 'string orchestra'.

In the jazz world, a 'big band' will usually comprise saxes, trumpets, trombones, jazz guitar, bass and drums/percussion and so many instrumental families are represented here. A 'band' in the rock/pop world can mean almost anything. After all, a boy or girl band has no instruments at all (usually)!!

An 'orchestra' will nearly always contain a string section (violins, violas, cellos, double basses) and this, I think is what you really need to remember. No violins, violas or cellos, then call it a 'band' (double basses don't count for this particular purpose). Add those instruments and then it's an orchestra.

Another fly in the ointment: 'band' is often used colloquially in the music profession to mean 'orchestra'!

It's somewhat confusing, I know but I hope I've helped a little.

Answer 3

The orchestra and band are similar in that both use the woodwind, brass and percussion families as part of their instrumentation.

The orchestra is different by adding the string family to the other three.

There are variations in each organization. You can have a chamber orchestra (smaller number of instruments) and a string orchestra (strings only) among other variations.

Under the term band you find brass band (no woodwinds), jazz band (smaller,heavy on brass,adds guitars,etc.), concert or symphonic band (plays specially written literature) and wind ensemble (smaller band,usually 1 to 2 on a part, much like a chamber group).

Sometimes you hear both band and orchestra used generically to indicate any group of performing musicians regardless of instrumental or vocal make up.

Musician, composer, teacher.

Answer 4

orchestra has strings : violins, violas and double bass.