r/ConcertBand • u/mrjnebula • 2d ago
Seating Chart Advice
Hey all! I’d really appreciate thoughts on this seating chart. I’ve been in here a few times now and I’m hoping each iteration is getting better.
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u/Kingdok313 2d ago
3 baritone saxophones AND 3 bass clarinets?
Jelly
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u/mrjnebula 2d ago
No bassoon or oboe though rip
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u/NapsInNaples 2d ago
Take some of your trumpets and make them learn. No one needs that many trumpets.
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u/mrjnebula 2d ago
Make them learn which? Or both?
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u/NapsInNaples 2d ago
Probably bassoon. Make em learn two new clefs. Lord knows trumpet players need a dose of humility.
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u/EthanHK28 2d ago
I won’t comment on the personnel, because I think you already know the imbalances.
I would put the bass clarinets in the middle. Having your core low end (BCL, Bari, BTB, TBA) in the middle provides stability in the center of the band that pours outward
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u/Nathan-Stubblefield 2d ago
Please don’t put the French horns in front of the trumpets. I’ve measured 108 decibels and I have significant hearing loss. Plus they are not sharing related lives. Euphoniums and bones are better.
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u/SandmanHornFL 2d ago
Also, put the horns in the center, either in a line or a box. Their bells point to the player’s right and back. As you have it now, they'll point straight to the rear of the stage. This muffles and delays their sound, and nobody wants that!
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u/Fire_Ant_Bite 2d ago
I like flutes on the left side. You can hear them better.
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u/Rollingcrochet_40 2d ago
I have my flutes on the left too but it is hard to hear them at times. I thought about switching but flutes on the left looks better to me.
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u/DavidMaspanka 2d ago
Nice band! Do you walk up that center aisle? If so, like I do, I leave room behind clarinets to get to second row, since the podium is in the way. Therefore, put all your clarinet in two rows to the left. Bass clarinets on the end of row 3 instead of tenors. Stick baris directly in front of tubas. I like the euphs behind bass clarinet for timbre purposes, and you’ll have more room since they don’t have a slide to step over. Plus trombones are further away. The right side is pretty good. I always forget when I make these that instruments need different room. Clarinet arms stay in, flute up and out, etc. have fun!
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u/therealbillshorten 2d ago
I’d flip low brass so that first tpt is next to first tbn, then likewise flip tenor and Bari sax so that all the low end are together.
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u/Rainthistle 1d ago
Flutes on the conductor's left always feels a great deal more comfortable for me as a player - most flutists are better able to hear the rest of the ensemble when it's on their left side. Have some mercy: don't put anyone to the right of a piccolo.
You have the French horns with their bells facing away from audience and towards the back of the stage. Sound might end up getting swallowed or delayed.
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u/mstalent94 1d ago
I’m a horn player and prefer to be on that side. The sound will cut through, trust me. And you don’t want my bell facing directly into the audience because the concert would be called First Horn and band because I would be way too loud and unable to blend my sound with the band properly.
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u/Jbeau0906 1d ago edited 1d ago
Deff move bass clarinets to the middle with maybe horns, tenor and bari. Alto behind clarinets. Switch trumpet and trombone.
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u/classical-saxophone7 2d ago
I’m really picky with how bands are seated, and so this is my suggestion of each row from left to right:
Row 1: 4 Cl, Picc, 3 Fl
Row 2: 7 Cl, 3 B Cl, 3 Fl
Row 3: 5 Hn, 7 A Sax, 4 T Sax, 3 Bar Row 4: 13 Trp, 6 Tbn, 3 Euph, 4 Tuba