Wind Music and Terminology. A Critical Review of an Immanent Phenomenon

During the last decades of wind music research, a few publications focussed on terminology. Elmar Walter wrote a dissertation about Blas- und Bläsermusik. In his talk at Oberwölz, Raoul Camus stated: “A band is a Band is Band”. However, he seemed to hesitate because he referred to Joseph Manfredo who, in his awarded dissertation, asked: “What is a Band?” In my lecture, I will bring this topic to the fore again and deal with the terminology used to designate a group of wind instruments, and I will come up with some suggestions for definitions. I will try to find an answer to questions such as: When is a band a symphonic band, or even a symphonic wind ensemble or “only” a community band? When I say: “I will try to find an answer”, I must admit that I cannot guarantee to find an acceptable one: Are these terms filled with a substance – what makes the difference? – or are they simply a grandiloquent absurdity? Do pretentious terms refer to “better” musicians or music? I will present my paper in English, but I will also deal with band designations in German, in French and my native language – Luxembourgish.