14.6 Small ensemble: contest preparation and music selection  (Page 2/2)

It is advisable to first form ensembles of the largest nature possible. For instance:

1. Mixed octet

2. Boys' octet

3. Madrigal

4. Girls' sextet

Your students will have more confidence when there are two to a part. You will have a better chance of obtaining a better tone quality with groups of this size than with smaller groups, particularly when you are working with inexperienced students. Enter the following groups only when sufficient talent is available to form ensembles of high quality.

1. Mixed quartet

2. Girls' trio

3. Girls' quartet

4. Boys' quartet

Music of excellent quality is also more readily available for the first list of groups than the last.

Selection of music for small ensembles

In addition to the points made earlier in this chapter, there are some factors that one needs to take into consideration when choosing pieces specifically for small ensembles.

1. You should choose the music your groups will perform. This is mentioned again in this discussion because students in small ensembles will often want to suggest pieces that they have heard or know. What they do not know is whether or not their particular group has the right voices to perform that piece. This does not mean that you would not consider any compositions that the students might suggest. The final decision, however, must rest with the director, not with the students. The director should be qualified to judge whether or not the music is suited to the ensemble.

2. It must be remembered that music that is usable with a large choir may not necessarily be suited to a group of eight voices. This includes four-part compositions that one might assume to be easy for eight voices. Many times one or two characteristics will preclude the use of such a piece for a small ensemble. For instance, a piece that is very dramatic in nature and demanding vocally, would not be a good choice for a small ensemble entry in contest.

This does not mean that some music that is successful with a large group cannot also be successful with a small group. An example of this is Suddenly There Came a Voice from Heaven by G. Aichinger and edited by Payson (published by Frank Music Corp.), or Three Shaker Songs by Michael Czaj-kowski (published by G. Schirmer, Inc.). If the students do not read well and a great deal of time is necessary to prepare a piece for performance, it is advantageous to program a work on the choir program and then use the piece with the mixed double quartet in a contest. This is also a helpful suggestion if small ensemble rehearsal time is at a premium.

3. Do not overchallenge a small ensemble for a contest. This is so important it needs to be repeated here. The results of overchallenging—poor tone quality, lack of precision, poor intonation, poor blend and balance—will be even more apparent with a small ensemble than with a large one.

4. Be careful of choosing divisi repertoire with small groups. Smaller ensembles, such as mixed octets and boys' octets, have more clarity and tonal security when performing four-part music.

5. Always be more conservative in the selection of contest music, but even more in the selection of contest music for small ensembles. Do not make the mistake of rationalizing that these are the best students, consequently they will be able to do even more difficult repertoire than the concert choir. Remember, they will be under considerably more pressure in a small group and quite conscious of the fact that much of the ensemble's success hinges directly upon their contribution.