Conducting Music: the Past and Present
Conducting has evolved over the centuries from being just a means of keeping time to its own art form. The early form of conducting is called cheironomy. The first form of conducting can be traced back to the Middle Ages. Before an actual conductor was established, a tempo was indicated mostly by the lead violinist by gestures or even tapping sounds from their bow (Guion). In the Christian church, the person giving the tempo to the ensemble would hold a staff to bang on the floor to indicate tempo, the staff also gave indication to his rank in the church. As music became more musically involved, the person holding the staff would move it up and down to indicate beat, essentially acting as an early form
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Concert conducting is more musical and emotional. In the concert environment, conductors, also called directors, will mostly use a baton and hand motions to indicate rhythm. Directors spend an extended amount of time studying the score of the music to be intimately aware of how to conduct, often listening to recordings or other ensembles playing the piece to get a sense of how the music flows together. When the ensemble comes together to learn how to play the piece, the conductor is ready to teach and answer any questions the ensemble may have in regard to the music. While teaching, the director will often tell a musician how to play a specific part in the music in order to get the desired sound the director imagined during the score study time. A director can express their own individual style through the flow of music. Directors add emotion to a piece of music by using cues to effect intensity, volume, tempo, and style (Gumm). Conductors do not just conduct notes on a page, they influence a group of people who are putting their mind and body into the music and guiding the musicians into the perfect synchronization. To add artistry to conducting, one first has to audiate a musical performance of the piece that is to be conducted. The conductor has to feel the music and move with it, imagining what the ensemble would need to see in order to …show more content…
The conductors, also called drum majors, use the more technical aspects of conducting. Drum majors can either be in control of a high school band or college band. On a field with a band spread out, it is hard to convey emotion. Mostly, drum majors use straight patterns and cues to direct the band. Marching band music is typically made to not have many tempo changes or ritardandos, gradually slowing down. If there is a tempo change it is accompanied by a cue, along with any intensity builds or style changes. Most drum majors are in sync with the lead percussionist to get tempo for the rest of the band to follow. Drum majors are responsible for keeping the band together on the field (Drum). All cues for a drum major goes along with what the band is either marching or playing. Drum majors get judged at competitions for style, form, execution, and, if there is more than one, whether or not they are in sync. Both types of conducting has their challenges, from getting an ensemble to respond to the style of conducting made by the director, to getting the band to stay on beat in a marching
Elana Sanguigni April 18, 2016 Honors Music Term Paper. The Wind Ensemble and Concert Band reflect a rich history. The formation of the Concert and Wind Ensemble bands dates back to the Middle Ages and Medieval Times. The Concert Band and Wind Ensemble have evolved over the years, due in part to significant historical events, music combinations, individuals, and progress.
...ssence, Adam Burke’s perception on directing and theatre production is very useful insight. He expressed that importance of a director being a true leader. A director must navigate the cast and crew to a particular vision and keep them on that path. In addition, a director must be professional and maintain a positive attitude when it comes to dealing with opposition from a crewmember in the production. Essentially, Adam Burke expresses that a director must stay ahead, in regards to funneling the cast towards the appropriate vision and talking dealing with any problems that arise. Additionally, if there are any mistakes during the performance, it is okay because the audience does not expect a flawless production. In fact, it’s the exact opposite. Overall, I thought Mr. Burke did an exceptional job answering our questions and I would like to thank him for his time.
Being a pianist presents itself a variety of opportunities, two common ones being playing in a jazz ensemble/band, or accompanying a choir. One may choose to be one, the other or both at the same time. However, there are distinct comparisons and contrasts between the two. Both are vastly different from each other, each harboring distinct qualities, yet there are similarities between the two.
They argue that there is not much to marching band. In truth, there is a lot to marching band. A person must be able to play the song on their instrument. Some instruments are even heavy. Then that person must learn the drill. After that they have to put the drill and music together. Some bands even memorize their music. These bands will do this at least three times. They will also practice basic marching. If a person works hard, they could even get a scholarship for college. In most schools a student can get a gym credit for marching band like other sports. Unlike other sports there is not a bench. Everyone plays the whole time. Finally, there is no quarters or innings. A band gets one shot to be the best. That is why marching band is a
“Leaders must be close enough to relate to others, but far enough ahead to motivate them.” --John Maxwell. Drum Majors and Section Leaders are renowned for their ability to lead by example, poise, and demeanor. As band camp begins, the Drum Major assists the directors by teaching the incoming marchers basic marching skills and help refresh the rest of the band members on their marching as well. The Section Leaders help their section be comfortable with our challenging music before the band rehearsals and help their section refine their marching skills. Both positions require leadership skills, confidence, and dedication to be successful and I believe that I have what it takes.
Most people assume that being in the band makes you non athletic. A lot of people don’t realize what it takes to be in marching band though. There is a lot of practicing involved in planning a show and getting it as close to perfect as possible. A lot of the time there is more practice involved in marching band than
I enjoyed watching the way the conductor conducted the choir and I noticed how much effort goes into conducting. At first I thought that he was just waving his hands in the air, but then I realized that there was a pattern to it and that not only keep it on beat but it also did other things as well. I like how when the choir was singing that different parts of it would stop and other parts would keep going and then it would switch and the parts that stopped would start again and the ones that were just singing would then stop.
Throughout this semester of college, I have observed three separate Elementary General Music teachers. Each of the teachers had their own personalities that each reflected upon their teaching. They all came from different areas of study, but all still manage to be successful, each with their own pros and cons.
By being responsible for the processing, understanding, and relaying many different key and time signatures simultaneously throughout the ensemble will increase my understanding of many core fundamentals of music, specifically in the area of music theory. Additionally, I would be provided the opportunity to be familiar with all parts, whilst knowing who is responsible for specific tasks within marching band. Learning and growing in my comprehension of these areas would assist me with planned career path of a Music Teacher. Holding the position of Drum Major would also provide deeper understanding as to what a Music Teacher’s responsibilities entail. Reading the various pieces for all the instruments and parts, while conducting the right time signatures at the right moments, and making sure everyone is following their drill sheets are just some of these responsibilities. The skills I will learn as Drum Major (if given the position) will provide me with an advantage when I lead an ensemble of my
In your early childhood have you ever needed direction for something you understood, but needed guidance on how to do it? This is the life of a musician under a conductor. Musicians look to the conductor, as a child looks up to his or her mother and father. Conductors specialize in educating, teaching, and instructing Musicians to become better players. Without a conductor a music ensemble could not be successful.
marching band in the halftime show and during rehearsals, but as the above list demonstrates,
Music is a basic part of everyday life. What makes music unique is its ability to create an emotional response in a person. A music education program should develop the aesthetic experience of every student to its highest potential. Aesthetics is the study of the relationship of art to the human senses. Intelligence exists in several areas, which includes music. The concept of aesthetics allows us to see into ourselves, which in turn helps the development of the intelligences. Not only are these intelligences brought up greatly in music education, but they can be transferred to other areas as well, allowing students to grow more through their other subjects.
Children love music and recognize it very early in life. Mothers singing lullabies to her newborn baby, toddlers banging on a pot in the kitchen, preschoolers singing their favorite nursery rhyme, music is an important part of a child’s life. Music does many things, it can bring back a memory or a feeling, it can sooth and relax, and it teaches. Music also teaches children; Language, listening skills, and communication to name a few of the concepts children learn through music. "Scientists are confirming what teachers have long suspected: Music not only touches people's souls, it also shapes growing minds. When children sing or play music they become better readers, thinkers and learners. The more we discover about how the brain works, the more we recognize how crucial music is to children's learning." Elizabeth Lloyd Mayer, Ph.D., a psychoanalyst at the University of California, Berkeley.
The classroom embodied the stereotypical music classroom with its various instruments scattered around the room. Every inch of the wall and door was covered with music notes while chairs encircled the room. Besides the teacher’s desk, there were no other desks in sight. The students had to sit on the ground in the center of the room away from the instruments. Even when playing instruments, the students sat on the ground. Although the setup was very different from a general classroom, it was appropriate for the kinds of lessons that the teacher taught the students. The teacher did not hand out any worksheets or assigned homework so the students did not need any desks for writing. Since the classroom was already small and cramped, having desks in the class would have impeded on the activities that the students performed.
We need to move on from what has happened in the past. Continuing with what is happening in the present and future is what needs to be focussed on. My opinion, along with many others, believe strongly in this theory. We feel as though what has happened earlier on is over with, and should not be worried about now, while others still feel guilt from the actions our ancestors may have taken, which would be the complete opposite point of view regarding this source. This excerpt is stating that history has taken its toll on our society in a negative way and our job is to stop dwelling on it and instead, restart with a fresh mind.