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What are good numbers to start off with

Posted by EMC on 9/3/2025, 4:33 pm

Beginners number 130

High Woodwinds?
Mid and low woodwinds
High brass
Mid brass
Low brass
finally
Percussion

Re: What are good numbers to start off with

Posted by Quick Step on 9/11/2025, 8:13 pm, in reply to "What are good numbers to start off with"

12 Flute
2 oboe
2 bassoon
25 clarinet
10 alto sax
10 Horn
25 trumpet
18 trombone
8 Baritone
8 Tuba
10 percussion

Re: What are good numbers to start off with

Posted by Respectfully on 9/4/2025, 7:18 am, in reply to "What are good numbers to start off with"

It's the fourth week of school - are you planning for next year, or do you still not have instruments in the kids' hands?

Re: What are good numbers to start off with

Posted by Questioning the respect on 9/4/2025, 1:55 pm, in reply to "Re: What are good numbers to start off with"

Can we normalize not using "Respectfully" to make disrespectful or unhelpful comments? This comment did not help in anyway - neither does mine.

Re: What are good numbers to start off with

Posted by Yeah... on 9/4/2025, 9:51 am, in reply to "Re: What are good numbers to start off with"

Not for everyone. For most this is only the second week...and we all know that the first week is chaos, so that makes this week the first "real' week.

Re: What are good numbers to start off with

Posted by Respectfully on 9/4/2025, 1:43 pm, in reply to "Re: What are good numbers to start off with"

Not "for most" .. nearly no one starts the last week of August anymore. Something like 75% of districts are DoI and start earlier now, if I remember my article correctly.

We've been in school here since August 12.

Re: What are good numbers to start off with

Posted by Balance the group on 9/3/2025, 6:36 pm, in reply to "What are good numbers to start off with"

Build your "perfect world" ensemble.

Take the number of beginners / number in perfect world ensemble.

Multiple each section by the result.

This gets you where you need to be.

So let's say my "perfect band" is 57 players, and 11 of them are clarinets.

130/57 = 2.28

11*2.28 = 25.08.

I should start 25 clarinets.

Re: What are good numbers to start off with

Posted by MS on 9/10/2025, 1:50 pm, in reply to "Re: What are good numbers to start off with"

Are you using elasticy to calculate that number?

Re: What are good numbers to start off with

Posted by Jeremy Lindquist on 9/3/2025, 5:52 pm, in reply to "What are good numbers to start off with"

Hey!

A long time ago, Nathaniel Neugent developed an excel spreadsheet with recommended percentages of each instrument based upon total enrollment.

The spreadsheet is adjustable so you can alter it to fit your program’s current needs.

Please email me at jlindquist@coppellisd.com and I’ll send it over.

I have used it for YEARS at Coppell North.

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