Ever had a go at conducting?

[Alison]

I haven't. It looks easy but imagine it ain't.

[EdgeleyRob]

Only in my front room when alone.
It's a doddle I think.
So is playing Alkan on an imaginary piano.
How difficult can these things really be ?

[pastoralguy]

I used to lead semi pro orchestras for shows which usually lasted a week. Often, on the last night, the music director would want to go on stage to share the bows with the cast. As leader, I got to 'conduct' a chorus of the 'big tune' followed by the play out music. To be honest, I suspect I was following them rather than the orchestra following me because we all knew the music so well.

The nearest I came to actually conducting a full performance was when a music director was stuck on a de-railed train. Fortunately, the chorus director came to the rescue.

[Petrushka]

Yes, sort of! The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra museum has an exhibit that lets you choose a piece, stand on a rostrum and conduct. The music reacts to your movements. I chose Johann Strauss' Annen Polka and came to grief in the very first bar!

Believe me, it is not easy!

[Beef Oven!]

Done it. It’s easy. All you need is a pouf and a knitting needle. Best to draw the curtains, though.

[Nick Armstrong]

Done it. It’s easy. All you need is a pouf and a knitting needle. Best to draw the curtains, though.

I'd pictured you more on the back deck of a No 38 Beef.

(Minus the pouf and the knitting needle. Mind you London's changing)

Ding ding any more fares please!

[Beef Oven!]

I'd pictured you more on the back deck of a No 38 Beef.

(Minus the pouf and the knitting needle. Mind you London's changing)

Ding ding any more fares please!

I can’t help think that somewhere in all this, I’m being insulted.

[Nick Armstrong]

I can’t help think that somewhere in all this, I’m being insulted.

[Alison]

Yes, sort of! The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra museum has an exhibit that lets you choose a piece, stand on a rostrum and conduct. The music reacts to your movements. I chose Johann Strauss' Annen Polka and came to grief in the very first bar!

Believe me, it is not easy!

Can remember the main theme but must confess can't remember how that polka starts!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Many times - mostly theatre pit orchestras, choirs and youth bands, but I was extremely nervous on the first occasion.

Although my memory isn't great for everyday life, I prefer to conduct without a score when possible.

Know the score and you will feel confident, which is everything in this situation.

[BBMmk2]

I have but only brass bands. It's completely different when your in front of real ensembles, rather than on your own. You do need to know what's in front of you

[Pulcinella]

A few times!

College orchestra at Uni: forgot to bring the orchestra in after the cadenza in WAM VC5; thank goodness the leader was more on the ball than I was!
Then a period (as a graduate student in Canada) as interim organist/choir director in a cathedral: sounds grand but was only Sunday services.
More recently, chorus and orchestra: Finzi In terra pax, JSB Magnificat, Dvorak Te Deum.

Agree with Alpie re knowing the score/being confident.
These choral concerts were with a scratch orchestra, with just one full rehearsal the afternoon of the evening concert.
So I had to have faith in their playing, and really just concentrate on the choir (which I had rehearsed), at least once just using the vocal score to conduct from.

Most 'conducting' nowadays done in my head, though I still have two sharply pointed batons I could dig out!

[Suffolkcoastal]

Taken over a few rehearsals, both orchestral & choral. Am confident enough if I know the piece.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I have but only brass bands.

At least there's only one clef to worry about.

[ahinton]

No, never - and that was several times too often...