Band vs. String Orchestra

[pierso20]

This is a spin off of the other band vs. orchestra topic.

I feel that Band vs. Orchestra comparisons are a little unfair, considering an Orchestra, in many ways, is a string orchestra with a one-on-a-part wind band (without getting toooooo technical...pleasssseeee don't focus on that statement....) Orchestra LITERALLY has more option for tone color with the addition of the strings to wind instruments (I hardly consider saxophone a positive addition to band tone )

So, that being said, which do you prefer listening to or (for those who double on a string instrument) participating in more: A band or a string orchestra?

[Mark]

String players do not have to breath to drive their instruments ...

Thus they can eat Snickers bars during rests at rehearsals...

[pierso20]

String players do not have to breath to drive their instruments ...

Thus they can eat Snickers bars during rests at rehearsals...

And that is the true preference!

[Z-Tuba Dude]

String Orchestra vs. Wind Orchestra should be the real debate.
If a variety of colors is your argument, then yes, Wind Orchestras win hands down.
If it's about quality of music, then yes, String Orchestras have a depth of literature that the band world is trying hard to develop.

Give it another 100 years and ask again...

I think that the real issue at stake here, is not the instrumental group, but rather the literature that is written for that group.

STRING orchestra literature is not nearly as plentiful, as full orchestra.

My feeling is that the wind band may actually have an advantage over string orchestra, but neither comes close to full orchestra, in terms of the quality of the literature.