The Avon Echo

By TaniLynn Leong

On stage under the classical lights or standing in a field with a roaring crowd? What is truly the best performing art? What does it take to succeed? Is it all talent? Are hours of practice the key? Between Orchestra and Band, performing arts students at Avon High School debate who is the best ensemble.

Orchestra and band are two distinct aspects of music with some similarities. Students from Avon’s top orchestra and marching band come together on the argument. James Butler, a student in Symphony Orchestra, and Coen Budde, a student in marching band, both contest on the different benefits of each group and the directors.

“I think they’re each good at what they do,” Butler said. “Mr. Powell is good at Orchestra, but Mr. Harloff is good at specializing with Band.”

Butler is in the highest-ranking orchestra and makes a good claim on the argument. He said that any instrument is hard, but some are exceptionally more technical. As a celloist in symphony, he sees both band and orchestra working together. He gives us insight on how the class is and the atmosphere compared to band.

“Orchestra is the best,” Butler said. “It doesn’t feel like a class, it feels more like a professional rehearsal that were doing.”

Butler said that compared to an orchestra, band is a completely different. He said strings can paint strong emotions, but band can achieve the tone more efficiently. While band instruments bring out powerful feelings with big emotions such as depression. Butler said symphony is better at producing feelings, and really sounds like professionals that can paint a picture in the listener’s mind.

“I believe that music is designed to paint a picture in your brain,” Butler said. “If I want to paint a sunset with a deep tone, I will use strings.”

Budde said that what makes him want to keep playing is the connections and people. He stated that the orchestra notes with band produce more of a lively tone. Budde said orchestra groups all together give a mature tone and is overall an opportunity for playing in the future.

“I fell asleep at a orchestra concert,” Budde said. “I definitely want to be a part of symphony orchestra at some point though.”

As a trumpet, Budde can be a part of the symphony orchestra as a band member. He said that it might take lot of practice, but just getting the runs in gives you the edge to be a part of the top groups.

“It’s long days about 12 hours for marching band in the summer,” Budde said.

“You practice the instrument more and get comfortable with the details of your instrument.”

Both Butler and Budde give good points, but they both state that what makes the groups so good is practice. Butler said that although talent may be a part of their success, practice is what makes them great. They both stated that starting out was hard, but what really helped them were the directors pushing them to the limits.

Butler said, “My favorite quote is from Ludwig von Beethoven, and it says to play a wrong note is insignificant to play without passion is inexcusable.”