If you’ve ever walked into the music wing at Frelinghuysen, you’ll notice three very different music rooms, each with its own incredible energy. First is the band room, which is loud, dynamic, and full of exciting energy. Second is the choir room, which has a fun, collaborative vibe where everyone feels connected and entertained. Then there’s the orchestra room—calm, focused, and beautifully peaceful. As someone who is lucky enough to be a part of all three of these groups, I can honestly say they each offer something special. But for me, the band room feels most like home. The style of music, the balance, the tone, and the overall vibe just hit differently. Full disclosure, though: I’ll admit I am just a little biased toward our band instruments!
The Diversity of Music
For starters, let me get this out of the way: I love being a part of all of these ensembles. Our school is incredibly fortunate to have such excellent programs across the board. However, when it comes to the types of music that personally speak to me, band music tops my list, closely followed by choir music. Our band pieces this year are incredibly exciting. For example, the 6th-grade band is playing a wonderfully familiar tune, “Handclap,” arranged by Johnnie Vinson. It has a great rhythm and even a drum kit part, played by one of our own Falcon Press writers, Hudson Uffer! Meanwhile, the 7th grade is tackling “Byzantine Dances” by Carol Britten Chambers, which features highly expressive percussion and an amazing saxophone solo. In the 8th-grade band, we are playing “Mil Estrellas” by Jorge Vargas. Let me just say that song is so good, I have it on loop 24/7! Over in Orchestra, the repertoire is equally impressive but showcases a different kind of skill. The 6th graders are playing “Avatar” by Doug Spata. It is an intense, dramatic instructional piece featuring fiery ostinatos that explore the extreme ranges of the instruments. (Fun fact, though: despite the title, the song doesn’t actually reference the movie or its elements!) The 7th graders are playing “Piddlin’” by Shirl Jae Atwell, which is neat and unique because it features a powerful, driving energy. Then, the 8th grade is playing “Adagio Cantabile” by Beethoven – truly, a lovely piece. However, it has that “soft lullaby energy” that relaxes the audience so much that it might make them start wanting to count sheep. As for the choir, I’m not going to spoil what they are singing because I want the audience to be surprised, but the music will bring you a lot of nostalgia. Our vocal program always puts on a stellar show, and the music they are working on right now is fantastic.
Balance and Tone
Another reason the band program stands out to me is its incredible balance and tone. Balance refers to the relative volume levels between different instruments or sections to ensure they complement each other. Tone refers to the unique quality and character of the sound. Because of the nature of the instruments, a band features a staggering variety of voices. While a traditional string orchestra beautifully blends five core voices (Violin 1, Violin 2, Viola, Cello, and Bass) to create a rich, classic sound. Meanwhile, with band, there are a staggering twenty voices! Those are Flute 1, Flute 2, Oboe, Clarinet 1, Clarinet 2, Clarinet 3, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, Alto Saxophone 1, Alto Saxophone 2, Tenor Saxophone, Baritone Saxophone, Trumpet 1, Trumpet 2, Trumpet 3, French Horn 1, French Horn 2, Trombone 1, Trombone 2, Euphonium/Baritone (which is NOT the same instrument), Tuba, and Mallet Percussion. Now that right there is what I call an extremely well-balanced ensemble. This incredible teamwork is exactly why the 8th-grade band has brought home first place at the Dorney Park competition for the past four years! The choir achieves similar magic with fewer moving parts, showcasing a lot of vocal skills. While standard choirs feature four voices, our talented Frelinghuysen singers blend seamlessly into two or three parts (Soprano, Alto, and Baritone/Bass) to create gorgeous harmonies. This is a really talented choir that won’t sound the same now with Ms Erlenborn sadly leaving us to pursue her doctorate at Rutgers University. Ms. Erlenborn, your kind, heart-warming spirit will truly be missed here at Frelinghuysen!
Finding the Right Fit
Every music program at Frelinghuysen is awesome in its own way. If you play strings, there is this really cool discipline that comes with mastering the bow and getting your tuning exactly right. And with choir, using your own voice as the instrument takes a ton of control. But honestly? Nothing tops the energy of the band. There is just something so satisfying about putting your trombone together, hitting that first warm-up note, and knowing you’re ready to rock. With all the different music styles, the huge sound, and the mix of instruments, the band program is definitely my favorite. It is an amazing experience that totally fits my style. We are lucky to have three great choices here, but when you pick your classes for next year, do yourself a favor and come join the band!
