Discussion Panel: Page 10

The thing that intrigues me about this question is that it is directed to conductors. It is certainly true that conductors, especially Music Directors, often do get to plan programs, but there is no necessary connection between conducting and programming. Most of us have served as cover conductors for a number of years, and you […]

So music directors talk about visions for seasons, eh? For me, the programming process sometimes makes me feel like one of Frank Herbert’s Guild Navigators, trying to find a safe path through the information overload of an infinite array of options. So maybe it IS a matter of vision, though not in the sense meant […]

Programming is planned on many different levels, both short-term and long-term. The most important consideration is the music which the orchestra needs to play. At its foundation, an orchestra must play the core Classical/early Romantic repertoire regularly in order to stay in shape musically. Developing a unified conception of style in these works lays the […]

The programming of a season is one of the most complicated but ultimately one of the most satisfying challenges of working as a music director. Many factors go into the selection of repertoire: 1. Pieces that are especially interesting to the players, often including works they have not done before. I receive a large number […]

Orchestra musicians are always curious about how a particular program or series gets put together. We realize that the Music Director consults with the Artistic Administrator and other staff members, and perhaps a Board Programming Committee, to finalize the season. But Music Directors often talk about a vision for tying a season together. Ann served […]

My home orchestra has some of the best-behaved musicians on the continent, so I’ll have to think about this one. In general, I find orchestras are always on their best behaviour at concert-time, those little annoyances that make our leadership life difficult are essentially rehearsal-related. As important as contract negotiations and other non-musical administrative matters […]

Wow, you’re really asking us to put our feet in it this time… But with all the obvious caveats about generalizing and stereotyping, I’ll try to wade in… 1. Everyone coming to work prepared. It never ceases to amaze me that ANY professional musicians show up to a first rehearsal not having looked at their […]

Thinking back on all of the orchestras I have conducted, there are attitudes which stand out among players with whom I have worked. The orchestral musicians who seem happiest are those whose motivation for making music comes from within themselves. Those people who come to rehearsals and performances playing their best, giving their all because […]

I must say that no one has ever asked me this question before, and I spent a good deal of time thinking about it. What are five things that I feel could change about behavior of musicians that would help create a better work environment? (as much as I pondered this, I could only come […]

That’s a great question. I think I have a somewhat broad assessment of this question because in living memory I’ve played in orchestras as an Orchestral Keyboardist, and I have also appeared as a Guest Soloist as well as conducting. You notice different things from the three different situations. Here would be a short list: […]