Holy crap

[benefitz]

I'm going to be standing in front of a full symphony orchestra one week from tomorrow to conduct part of Tchaikovsky's 5th symphony. I just listened to a recording, and I can barely even follow along in the score. This is terrifying. There are 17 staves to follow at one time! I don't have the first clue how to go about preparing for this. Eek

Comments

[jonsonite]

First things first: Repeat the Ben Gesserit litany:

I will not fear. Fear is the Ben killer...

[benefitz]

I can't believe I remembered that was a reference to Dune.

[pussyofdoom]

Wow. That's pretty fucking awesome. Albiet nervewracking. What class is this for? And how do I sign up?

I'd say focus on conducting entrances, tempo changes, and major (not every little crescendo) dynamic changes. Don't worry about the small stuff.

Have fun and good luck!

[benefitz]

This is for "Advanced Conducting." It's the intro level graduate conducting class, and the students have a broad range of experience. There are a few people like me with minimal experience, and then we've got a guy on sabbatical from his university job as an orchestra conductor, and a handful who've been conducting professionally for years. It should be an interesting class. The instructor changes every few weeks. We have a couple weeks with the orchestra prof, then we conduct the orchestra. A couple weeks with the band guy, then conduct the band. Likewise for choir, opera, and musical theater.

Thanks for the suggestions.

[misshepeshu]

DUDE. That's 1) hella awesome, and 2) hella terrifying. Break a leg! Or an arm! Or, uh fingers! Whatever the damn hell it is that conductors are supposed to break to signify good luck.

[benefitz]

Thanks. I need it.

[misshepeshu]

Remember: whatever doesn't kill you has a probability of maiming you for life.

(Hugses and reassurances and good wishes galore.)

[troglodyteking]

Are there any equivalent to office hours or any other way of getting additional help from someone on this? I'm sure the professor would love to try to help you prepare better for it. Asking something like, "I'm enjoying the class and learning a lot, but I just have no clue how to prepare myself for this!" should be totally reasonable, right?

[benefitz]

Actually, I did that today. I have an appointment with the prof this Friday. Good suggestion.