One school calls its advanced band "wind ensemble" and the lower or training band "symphonic band." Other schools have all kinds of titles like "Wind Symphony," "Concert Band," and "Symphonic Winds." There are also the obvious titles such as "Beginning Band," "Intermediate Band," and "Advanced Band." These titles can appear to come from all over the place.

One is tempted to believe there is a systematization to this variety. The simple explanation is really that there is no reason other than a band director's personal taste. "It does not matter—it is the director's choice," says MENC mentor Ron Meers.

The next time you see a variety of titles, think of them instead as inspiration for coming up with your own set of organizational terms. For example, you might base your title on the tradition of Military Bands or what Americans call Concert Band. You could use terms like Symphonic followed by Concert to align with the level and sophistication of literature.
 

Thanks to MENC member Shawn Satterthwaite for bringing up this interesting question.

—Paul Fergus, February 4, 2010. © MENC: The National Association for Music Education