Any band directors out there with experience in student driven arrangements?
I have a small concert band next year with odd instrumentation and am trying to look at it as more of a large chamber group or even garage band in terms of philosophy and the student experience. I want to push the musical decision making down to the performer level so their ears and creativity are developed to a higher degree than with the "old school" approach where composers, arrangers, and directors make all the real decisions. If you've tried going down this road, I'd love to hear from you. If you just think this sounds nuts, feel free to keep it to yourself. ;-)
I'm planning to start the year listening to whatever students bring in that moves them "instrumentally." That doesn't exclude vocal music, it just can't depend on the words for it's impact. Pop will certainly be a part of this, but, in the age of the internet, I usually get a surprisingly broad range of styles and eras represented with such exercises.
Then we'll select pieces for performance based on the group reaction to these pieces and perhaps things that I bring in that tie some common threads together. I'll be working to shape a group consensus so some ideas don't "win" and others "lose." Tricky at times, but usually doable.