Advanced Instrumental Conducting class story (music/conducting friends, you might like this): Before Spring Break, Dr. Chau instructed our class to prepare the entire first movement (14 pages) of Schuberts Unfinished Symphony to conduct in our 3 person symphony in class (there really are only 3 or 4 people in the class). However, before class, I just didnt feel like printing out the entire 1st movement, so I only brought 4 pgs. to class. Of course, I had only listened to the first few pages like, 2 times, and barely even looked at it (mainly because I didnt want to do anything school related over Spring Break...even though I really should have.... ;)) Anyway, when it was my turn to get up and conduct my 3 person symphony, I was just thinking I would get through maybe a few measures and Dr. Chau would stop me and make me go back and do it again, better....4 pages later, he hadnt stopped me and I was still conducting! Then, all of a sudden, I was just looking at a blank music stand...no score...gah! I was beginning to get a little nervous, because I didnt want him knowing that I didnt have the rest of the score. I thought about stopping, but figured I might as well see how far I can get without even knowing the music AT ALL...haha. I couldnt help but chuckle at myself. This was just too funny and ridiculous. Luckily, Dr. Chau was sitting at the piano plunking out some parts, so he no suspicion at the fact that I wasnt flipping through my pages (unless he thought I had it memorized...haha...yeah right). I had no idea what the rest of the music was supposed to sound like. When do I give cues? What are the dynamics? Articulations? So I really just muffed my way through it. I had fun with it, and I actually gave some very accurate cues and showed dynamics as best I could, mainly by listening to what the musicians were doing. Like I said, Ive never seen this score in my life. The further along I went, I kept asking myself, when is the movement going to end? So I just listened and predicted every ending sounding cadence, pretending like it was the last one. Finally, I got all the way to the end! All 14 pages (that I didnt even have!)!! I gave the best cut off I could, not having a clue what note value the last chord was. The only feedback I got was that I couldve cut off the last note with a little more clarity and I could work a little more on cuing. Haha...nothing too harsh! Other than that he said it was very good! Then...I told him that I had only brought the first 4 pages. He seemed actually pretty impressed. He asked, How did you know when the end was then? And I just told him(laughing a little), I dont know. I was listening and feeling the music or something. And then he said, Good, good! Hahaha I kinda felt like a really awesome musician today! ;) Not for being completely unprepared (cause thats actually really embarrassing) but for being completely in tune with the musicians! It was awesome! Heres what I learned: Dont be intimidated by a score! The score is there to tell you whats happening, but honestly, Ive never conducted so comfortably in that class. Now, if I can combine the score part and conducting with just as much enthusiasm as I did today.... :D The End
Posted on: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 19:24:02 +0000
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