Making Music

In my somewhat lengthy career I have had the opportunity to serve as the conductor of bands ranging from the beginning elementary level to one recognized as among the most talented in the world. Among them all, there is the common thread that perhaps one of the most important things we do is to teach them how to play musically and then to let them do it. We want our musicians to play the music technically correct, but it is our responsibility as their conductor to make sure that doing so will result in a performance we will not want to listen to if there is no emotion or musicality included in their presentation. This can hold true at all levels of proficiency. (Think of them playing Mary Had Little Lamb in a 'box-like' fashion or with emotional phrasing and direction.) I ask the performers to shape the phrases they are playing as they think it should be. The performers are then more committed to what they are doing. This will include each phrase having a direction, a change in the dynamics in the line, a musically pleasant quality of tone, intonation, and dynamic direction. When they do that, it is seldom I have to suggest they alter what they are doing to make it more musical.

Please understand that this is not taking away the composers' intentions. It is, rather, enhancing what they have written. You will be surprised what happens when you let all of your performers have the opportunity to put themselves in the musical shape of the composition. They then have personal ownership in what they are doing and are not just recreating what you have told them to do. The interest level in the rehearsal will be vastly improved and the final performance with be spectacular!