North Jersey Area Band Percussion Ensemble Procedures

The following procedures for our N.J.A.B. percussion ensemble were adopted at our meeting of 9/18/2000.

Mission Statement of the NJAB

The purpose of Music Education is enhanced by the preparation, audition and performance of selected students within the selected Northern New Jersey Schools. This enhancement includes: The preparation for audition, The rehearsal of advanced band music, The exposure to advanced conductors and The performance of said music in a concert setting.
Pursuant to this statement, it seems that our percussion students "preparation for audition" section far out-ways the "rehearsal of advanced music", and "performance of said music in a concert setting" sections. Because of this, we propose the formation of a percussion ensemble to augment the N.J.A.B. groups listed in article VI of our constitution/bylaws. The addition of this group will serve to "balance" all the sections of our mission statement for our percussion students.
Standard Percussion Instrumentation of the N.J.A.B. According to Article VI of our constitution/by-laws, the standard percussion instrumentation of the N.J.A.B. is:
  • 2 Snare Drums
  • 2 Timpani
  • 2-4 Mallets
  • 4-6 Traps
The conductors are usually given discretion over this number, and some students do double, but the working number of percussionists would most likely be between 10 and 14.

Selection of Conductors and Music:
A committee of interested band directors, who are percussion experts, will run the ensemble. Ed Argenziano, from Morris Knolls, has offered to direct this year's ensemble. In subsequent years, a rotation of all interested percussion experts will be used.

The ensemble's program will consist of one (1) longer piece or two (2) short pieces. Total duration should be 5-10 minutes. The group would perform between the Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble on concert day.

Rehearsal Schedule and Equipment:
The rehearsal schedule, contingent on weather and conductor input, will be the following:

  • Monday rehearsal 6:30-7:30
  • Thursday rehearsal 4:00-5:00
  • Friday rehearsal 2:30-3:30
  • Saturday rehearsal **set-up of equipment for concert in "pit" and final rehearsal to be done after the ensembles have finished their run-throughs. Then the ensemble could perform for the students.
The rehearsals have been grouped so as to make the moving/set-up of equipment the easiest and to minimize disruption to the conductors rehearsal plan. The Saturday set-up/run-through would allow for the equipment to be set (in the pit) for the concert the following day. Performance in the "pit" will negate the need for another stage set-up and make for a quicker and easier transition on concert day.

Student Selection:
All students selected to perform with the N.J.A.B. bands will perform with the percussion ensemble. The ensemble director would assign parts based on student audition scores and the nature of the parts available. At the conclusion of the auditions in December (when a final instrumentation is determined) the ensemble director will be responsible to choose a piece from a predetermined "short list' and mail it to the students. The students would be responsible for preparing their parts prior to the first January rehearsal.

Any questions regarding the organization of this ensemble can be directed to Matt Paterno at (973)-633-3107