Never mind that more students statewide play off the grade 1 and 2 lists than every other list combined on an annual basis. They should have fewer playable selections and fewer entertaining selections, so that they become "overplayed" and then removed from the list 10-15 years later because the judges are tired of them.
And never mind that many of the "legacy" pieces on the Grade 1 and 2 lists do NOT have limits on range or instrumentation, and for many developing bands, they're not appropriate because of this. In a middle school band with four clarinet players, you really shouldn't be playing three-part music if you can help it. That limits your choices. Maybe two thirds of the Grade 2 list is off the table BEFORE you even start.
Your attitude is EXACTLY why the list and process needs reform.
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