Klarinet Archive - Posting 000746.txt from 1999/10

From: "David B. Niethamer" <dnietham@-----.edu>
Subj: [kl] Everyone's a conductor! (was: something interesting) ;-)
Date: Sun, 24 Oct 1999 21:47:01 -0400

on 10/20/99 1:09 AM, Nicholas Yuk Sing Yip wrote:

>One of my careers in music is to become a music
>teacher and start a music program at a primary or secondary school. As
>part of the program I would like to direct an ensemble, either band or
>orchestra.
> Well, it starts like this. I have been waiting to conduct an ensemble.
>The time had not come yet til' now, because my schedule was busy with
>GE's, and requirements to fill as work. However I got my chance to do it
>with my college band director. Two weeks ago, he gave me the score to the
>"Sussex Mummers Christmas Carol" by Grainger. Now, I have performed this
>piece before a couple of times. I had most of this piece in my ear. I
>took the score home and marked it up, with dynamic markings, where to
>phrase, etc.. For the last two weeks I was practicing it with me
>conducting while looking at the score. Unfortunately I did not have the
>recording, but figured that I did not need it since I thought I had most
>of it in my ear comfortably.
> I had it all prepared, to go, for today. I was all ready to go,
>stretched, and prepared mentally and all, then I stepped on the podium for
>the first time. Boy, did half of mind go BLANK!
(SNIP)
>With the band not knowing
>this piece very well and my mind half- blank, most of us were lost, so I
>just kept going, thinking in my mind what were to happen if I were to
>stop. What would they say? What would I say since it is not my band. I
>stopped anyway and my band director asked them what they wanted more of
>from me.
> We continued on, and boy it got more interesting. Talk about intonation
>and balance problems and lack of support. I heard it all over the place.
>(^_^)
(MORE SNIP)
> We continued on to the end, only to see that trumpets before the piece
>was finished, even though they had no more to play. However we made it to
>the end TOGETHER!
> This was one interesting experience and I know I have alot more to
>learn. However, it was fun and I would like to continue on.

Sounds like you should have a long and successful career as a
professional conductor!! ;-)

David
(who sees far too many conductors with lots of training and experience
behaving like this!)

David Niethamer
Principal Clarinet, Richmond Symphony
dnietham@-----.edu
http://members.aol.com/dbnclar1/

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