input...band or orchestra

[Rock'n Robin]

In our state, you have to have at least one "arts" credit in HS. Well, none of my kids got any kind of drawing or artistic gene. DD#1 will be able to get her credit with choir. DD#2 is pretty sure she won't. She just tried out for the jr. jazz choir at her school and didn't even make the first cut. She is very depressed as she is the only girl in her girl scout troop that didn't get to go to the second audition (which was dance--she has 7 years of dance, I wish they'd done that one first!) They audition for HS choir and only 25 9th grade girls make it, so her odds seem nonexistent. And it's not something she can fix, either--she smiles big and is loud, but has pitch issues--not horrible ones, but solos are completely out. She does sing well with a group, which is why I thought she had a shot this year.
Sure it's early--5th grade--but orchestra starts this year and band next year. I know band starts out so slowly and is so very boring in jr. high--DD#1 tried it and quit after a year. But DH for some reason doesn't want her to do orchestra at all. DD#2 actually was looking forward to being in band and being in the flag corps, which they have where I work--but we found out they don't have that here where we live. Maybe she can start one when she gets there?
Right now she feels like she isn't good at anything she likes--she loves to sing, and likes basketball but has trouble making shots (is awesome at defense). She is very smart and in the gifted program but right now that isn't any comfort. She also takes piano lessons.
Any input on which is a better choice, band or orchestra? The only rush is that the orchestra instrument fitting is tomorrow night!
Robin M.

 

[greenyskp]

being a music major, music teacher, flute player and general music officenado.. I say join band. Then you have the opp. for Marching Band later on, which is AMAZINGLY fun. I always thought the orchestra seemed less 'bonded' Band was like a huge family. Orchestra seemed stuffy... lol My band friends were lifelong friends and im still friends with many of them. I really really loved band in high school and middle school. Best times of my life. Good Luck!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I agree-band. Mostly for that reason, also no flag corp now-who's to say there won't be one 4 years from now. DS is a music major, and it always amazed me how close the band was. Four years later, he still visits his high school band teacher when he's home from college (the opportunity to show off his newest skills or his newest horn doesn't hurt.)

 

[spacemountain]

I also say band. You do become very close and make great friends and the music you get to play is better.

 

[golfgal]

I would say that since orchestra starts this year, let her start orchestra and have her play this year. If at the end of the year, she doesn't like it, she can try band next year. Most music stores rent instruments and if she switches to band next year, they will most likely transfer any rent paid this year on an orchestra instrument to what ever band instrument she takes next year.

Every school program is different. Our high school orchestra was very good and very popular, but then so was our band. Our orchestra was always tops in the state and our marching band won several national titles as well. Either was a good choice at my high school. Where we live now the orchestra is TERRIBLE but the band program is EXCELLENT. Our marching band is one of the best in the state and the football team has a hard time getting enough members because everyone is in marching band (300 kids our of a school of 850 kids).

I was in orchestra and as much as I love orchestra music, I won't encourage my kids to join the orchestra here because the program is so bad. They are all in the band and loving it, though.