Whats instrumental ensemble??

Question

I got my High school schedule. I have Orchestra, Which I auditioned for. But I also have a class called Instrumental ensemble?

Answer 1

Generally, in orchestra there are more instruments/more players than in an ensemble, which is for small-scale music. The class gives you a chance to play music in a smaller group than orchestra.

Answer 2

When I was in high school, we had the same thing... Orchestra was strings and a few select winds, brass, and percussion.

Instrumental ensemble was a group of a bunch of winds, brass, and percussion- no strings.

As the student body grew (and band enrollment grew), we split it up into Concert Band and Symphonic Band... SB was by audition and was the "select" group.

I changed high schools halfway through to a bigger school, and they had Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Orchestra, and Instrumental Ensemble... WE was the "select" audition-only symphonic group, CB was more remedial, Orchestra was still strings and a few winds, and IE was actually a chamber music program.  Chamber music is small groups, and usually a mix of strings and winds (and brass), such as flute, clarinet, french horn, violin, cello (for example)... although the instrumentation differs.  Think classical combos instead of jazz combos.

SO: if you're going to a small school, it may be a generic term for "band", and if you're going to a bigger school, it may be a very select group that will be a GREAT experience for you.  I would call your instrumental director  and ask, or wait til your first day of class and see how it goes- you might really dig it!  And if it's not for you, usually you have the first week to change your classes.

Good luck, and hope you have fun! :)

Answer 3

I suspect that it is a select group, but why don't you call the school music teacher or guidance department and ask.

Answer 4

it sounds the sam to me. maybe in instrumental ensemble, they'd teach you how to use all the intruments used in an orchestra.