Figure 1.--This 1903 portraits shows 15 youths of different ages holding mandolins, violins and guitars--a string ensemble. The group is not identified, but we would gues it was formed at a high school. The names of the youths pictured in the portrait ng men seen in the photograph are written in pencil on the back. The names include: Leonard Skarie, David Stickney, Reid Edwards, Will Weigand, Paul Johnson, Hugo Nelson, Reuben Paulson, Russell Nelson, James Parker, Foster Parker and Lloyd Edwards. Also written on the back is "June, 1903", presumably at the end of the school year. The main image was printed on a piece of 13 1/2" by 10 1/2" photographic paper. The photographic paper is affixed (and covers) a 13" by 10 1/2" piece of fairly heavy cardboard stock.

An ensemble is a small music group which has a single unifying feature such as the particular genre performed or the instruments used. Some ensembles have a mix of instruments, but are much smaller than orchestras. They differ from orchestras both in the this specialization and in size. There are many types of ensembles. Choirs and bands might be considered ensembles, but we have addressed them separately in HBC. Ensembles might include certain types of instruments such as string ensembles. Ensembles specializing in music genre might include medieval, classical, jazz, and many other specialties. In recent years ensembles reflecting ethnic music from America's increasing diversity have become popular. For children and youth not yet ready for orchestral performance, ensembles allow them to hone their skills as well as pursue musical genre of particular interest. There are different types of ensembles. We note commercial groups. his includes both family groups and organized groups. An example of family groups is the McGibeny family and more recently the King family. The organized groups declined in the early-20th century as child labor laws came into play. The final commercial group wehave ned is the D.Z. Phillips Boys' Band. None of the commrcial groups were girls bands. There are also school groups. These have increased in the 20th century. This would be mostly high school groups. Ensembles are organized at many secondary schools and even more so at universities. The first music first composed for small ensembles was written by German Baroque composers, including music for strings, brass, and woodwinds, as well as choirs, pipe organ, harpsichord, and clavichord. We are not sure when Americans began to organize ensembles in which children participated. We begin to see them in the late-19th century as secondary schools became well established. Chamber music was one of the most important types of musics performed by ensembles. Ensemble groups are small enough that a small number of interested individuals can organize and in which they can participate. Chamber music is seen as more intimate because of the small size of the groups than symphonic works requiring large uniforms. It also brings music to aider audience as many people can not attend symphonic performances held in large cities.

Created: 7:29 PM 2/16/2010
Last updated: 12:18 PM 12/7/2024