Trumpet (1) [straight mute, harmon mute, cup mute] (1)
This player should have big band, and improvising experience.

Trombone (1) [straight mute, harmon mute, cup mute] This player should have big band, and improvising experience. Better, if the player can also double of fluegalhorn.

Woodwind #1 (1) [flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, (possibly double on piccolo)] This player should have big band, and improvising experience.

Woodwind #2 (1) [clarinet, bass clarinet, tenor saxophone]

Woodwind #3 (1) [flute, clarinet, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone] It is desirable for this player to have big band, and improvising experience.

Violins (7-24) one of whom is designated 'concert-master'. These orchestrations contain three violin parts. String parts are typically performed with several players playing each part i.e. ten first violins, seven second violins, seven third violins, five violi, and four celli. The minimum number I use is 3,2,2,2,2 - a total of eleven. This produces a full and balanced, symphonic sound, as distinct from the sound of a string quartet, in which one player plays each part.

Violi (2-8)

Celli (2-6)

Bass Viol (1-4) At least one bassist should have big band and improvising experience, and be familiar with such songs as Stardust (Db), Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (Eb), and Latin dance rhythms (Meringue, Cha-Cha, Rumba, etc.)

Piano/Synthesizer (1) The pianist/synthesizer player should have improvising experience, and be familiar with such songs as Stardust (Db), Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (Eb), and Latin dance rhythms (the Meringue, Cha-Cha, Rumba, etc.)... With his synthesizer, he must be prepared to emulate a string section, piano, orchestra bells, Harpsichord, and (if no harp is used) a harp.

Drum (1) The drummer must have a trap-drum set (bass drum with pedal, sock cymbals, tom-toms, and snare drum) and miscellaneous percussion equipment (triangle, bird whistle, tambourine, etc.). He must have dance-band experience, and be familiar with the Fox-Trot, Lindy, American Waltz, Viennese Waltz, and such Latin dance rhythms such as the Meringue, Cha-Cha, and Rumba. If possible, he should own a drum synthesizer and amplifier which emulates the sound of a concert bass drum, and hand-held orchestra cymbals.

Harp (1 optional) A full-size orchestral harp adds elegance.

Guitar (1 optional) Depending on your vision for the evening, either an acoustic guitar, or electric (amplified) guitar may be an appropriate choice.

Vocalist (1 optional) For 'Continental' engagements, we are occasionally requested to omit our vocalist. However, our style integrates the vocalist as just another color in our palette of sounds; the orchestra never assumes a subservient role to the vocalist; the vocalist is never allowed to overpower the orchestra.

We do not use French Horns, oboes, or bassoons, even as 'doubles'.

Today's musicians are much better than they were twenty or thirty years ago. Generally, they have had much more varied musical experiences than was available in the past, and it is not uncommon for major "name" acts to hire local musicians wherever they appear, having one short rehearsal, and then expecting near perfection in the performance.

An experienced orchestrator can take advantage of this technical ability by writing music which plays naturally on each instrument. Other selections can be 'faked' i.e. played without written music. This is not done, nor is it possible to do it, within the traditional symphonic venue.

However, with a smaller number of musicians, and a different type of conductor (myself) - who conducts the orchestra, and calls the tunes 'on the fly' - more like a dance band than a concert orchestra - the results are surprisingly musical and of a high caliber.

The five 'wind' players and the three 'rhythm' musicians should have had 'Big Band' and improvising experience, and be able to play such songs as Stardust (Db), Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (Eb), and Latin dance rhythms (Meringue, Cha-Cha, Rumba, etc.).
The string instrumentalists are not expected to improvise, or to 'swing' ­p; only to be excellent sight-readers.