Which do you prefer - Band or Orchestra?

[Kayla]

I haven't played in any sort of quality orchestra outside of All-County Orchestra in high school, which has a big deal for the strings but they just asked wind players/percussionists to come. I like band a lot, but often I usually play bass trombone or percussion because there's too many tubas.

My all time favorite group to play in is brass choir (not brass band). I just love the overall sound and blend.

[imperialbari]

Both, as the experiences are often very different.

Klaus

[iiipopes]

I've never had the pleasure of orchestra on tuba. But I was a member of the chorus for a performance of Beethoven's 9th, so I understand sitting there forever with the tacit. My personality likes to stay involved. So I think even if I was given the opportunity for an orchestra gig, I'd like band better.

Besides, I drink beer, I like to have fun, and I can't stand concerts that are too serious. So probably concert band.

Although I'd really like the opportunity to play with a brass band to see what that's all about. I've been to the UK. I've heard brass bands in concert. I love the sound. I live only a couple hours' drive from the Kansas City Fountain City Brass Band, but have yet to attend a concert due to logistics and scheduling.

Maybe one day. In the meantime, damn, I have fun in band!

[hbcrandy]

Orchestra, I just like a lot of the literature better. Of course you might not get to play as much on some pieces but usually the parts are fun. My favorite part of playing in an orchestra is being the lone tuba player (or one of two). It might sound rather shallow but I just enjoy that when the audience hears tuba, it's my sound that reaches out and grabs them.

DITTO!

[bearphonium]

Band, for a variety of reasons, most of them listed here already.

[GC]

Brass band.

[Biggs]

Neither.

There's more to tuba life than orchestra and concert bands.

One of the wisest, most concise statements I've ever read on TubeNet. I couldn't agree more.

[Lew]

I prefer listening to orchestral music, but actually prefer listening smaller ensembles to either. I only liked playing in an orchestra when I played cello. On tuba my favorite is brass quintet, but between band and orchestra I prefer playing in a band. As others have mentioned the parts are usually more interesting, and certainly have fewer rests to count. I find the British Brass Band rep to be much more interesting than typical American concert band playing, especially when playing the Eb parts.

[wr4]

As a 'consumer', orchestra. With the Boston Symphony (plus 2-3 semi-pro orchestras in between) down the road, fuggedaboudit!
However, as a player, orchestra put me off for decades (4 of them). Way too many measures of rests.
The ideal as a player is band arrangements of orchestral pieces.
Brass instead of strings = motivation

[Kevin Hendrick]

... as a player, orchestra put me off for decades (4 of them). Way too many measures of rests.

A hint on the rests -- count 'em in binary (you can count up to 31 on one hand, and over a thousand with both).

[scottw]

When I was able to play string bass, I always enjoyed being in the thick of things in orchestra, as opposed to counting rests for tuba and feeling like a 5th wheel amongst playing the entire piece.
But, I have always enjoyed both tuba and band more than bass and orchestra.
I have to say, though, that beginning late in life playing in a brass choir [7 years ago] has been the most fun I have had, and the best challenge. The music is interesting, difficult, and there is only one on a part. You also need to have a very good grasp of "blend and balance" if you are to do it well. Very similar to wind ensemble, but w/o the out-of-tune saxes!