From A Music Education Blog Collaborative, Joseph Abramo has initiated a discussion about the notion that modern society may eventually see the end of the “traditional ensemble.”  His argument is that there are more options available with the use of computers, keyboards, and other tone generators to create timbres that are not possible with the traditional ensemble.  While I agree that a composer can create more tone color with tone generators and samplers, it cannot replace what we consider to be “traditional” instrumentation.  The violin, flute, saxophone, and all others were considered new technologies when they were conceived.  Composers have used that form of new technology to create a vast array of tone color.  Think about what Stravinsky did with his use of tone color.  He radically changed the way modern music is composed.  Alternative ensembles are nothing new.  MIDI ensembles, laptop ensembles, and others are becomig more mainstream all of the time.

Interesting concept, though.