Our friend MJ Wamhoff with the Delta College Symphonic Band, originally presented this content at the California State Music Conference (CASMEC) on February 18, 2022. It was such a great presentation we collaborated with him on a flex piece.
The challenges from the last two years of pandemic and slowly returning to performances, presents us with many issues and opportunities to explore new music. Many of us have seen decreased numbers in our ensembles. Flex arrangements make it possible for us to play interesting and challenging music with fewer players. Flex arrangements are being developed at a rapid pace and are providing much needed repertoire for many band directors.
Playing a flex arrangement is really like playing chamber music. Flex arrangements seem to fall into three categories: Quartet, Quintet, and Sextet. You’ll want to hear all of the parts, so think about what instrument combinations you want to hear on each part.
Most arrangements have a few problems with the “translation” from full ensemble to the flex format. There are times when instrument ranges don’t work well and must be adjusted. Some arrangers seem more thoughtful than others but it is still important to make adjustments to make this work for your band.
Based on your instrumentation and strengths in your individual band, you’ll need to make critical decisions as to what combinations you want on each part. Often, it’s trial and error, but keep working until you find what works. For MJ’s break down continue to read here
Let’s consider the quintet, or SSATB.
Part 1 soprano voice: Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Trumpet.
Part 2 soprano voice: Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Trumpet.
Part 3 alto voice: Clarinet, Trumpet, Alto Sax, Horn.
Part 4 tenor voice: Trombone, Euphonium, Tenor Sax, Bassoon.
Part 5 bass voice: Tuba, Euphonium, Trombone, Bassoon, Bass Clarinet, Baritone Sax, Double Bass.
What instruments sound good together?
Part 1: Flute and Clarinet are always a good sound.
Part 2: Flute, Clarinet plus, if you have one, an oboist
Part 3: Horn and Alto work well here, but clarinet and trumpet (flugelhorn) are nice additions.
Part 4: Trombone, Euphonium, Tenor Sax, Bassoon, any combination of these work well
Part 5: Tuba, Euphonium, Trombone, Bassoon, Bass Clarinet, Bari Sax, Double Bass, any combination of these work well.
In my band, because I only have one trumpet player, I do not have any trumpets on the first or second part. My first and second parts are covered by both clarinet and flute on each part. The trumpet voice would not blend well in parts one or two.
With some of our flex arrangements I have created parts that weren’t published with the arrangement. Oftentimes there are only parts for flute provided in the first part so we always add a part two for flute. In our case, someone usually gets on Sibelius and writes out a part and transposes it for the part we need.
The mistake I first made was placing all of the flutes on part one followed by all the clarinets on part two, etc. I struggled with getting a good sound from the band until I decided to become an orchestrator. In flex arrangements I have personally made, I included flute for third part and clarinet on parts three and four.
Best advice for flex arrangements: consider what instruments work well together. Like great composers do when orchestrating their pieces, play the sounds you’d like to hear.