There is a romantic notion that orchestra conductors are those individuals removed from the concerns of normal people and who wield their magical batons unfettered by any other considerations than that of their own genius. In certain circles that may be the case but that has not been my experience. My job as conductor is as a part of a web of interlacing relationships and responsibilities not unlike those of a modern era race car driver. Auto racing is a team sport. There is an owner who provides financial backing, engineers and mechanics who design, build and fine-tune the car. Yes, eventually someone has to get behind the wheel and actually drive the car, but there is a strategy which has been developed beforehand and the driver is receiving instructions as he drives. This is analogous to my work as the orchestra conductor for Disney on Classic. I drive the car but this work is highly collaborative, not only with producers, musicians and singers but also lights and sound personnel and stage crew. The Disney on Classic tour is a complex operation with as many people "behind the scenes” as there are on stage.
1 comment:
Great post, Brad. Very cool to hear about your insight from behind the wheel. Especially since that's a view that very few get to enjoy.
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