Honesty is the best policy

Tonight at our second rehearsal with interim music director, Don Glassel, something interesting happened.  He questioned whether or not he could make an observation about our performance - while he was on the podium.

He posed the question "Can I make an observation?"

It kind of shocked me that he asked.  I mean, as a musician, even in the 5th grade, I was taught that you don't mess around with the person on the podium.  They are truly in charge.  And, having gone thorugh the student teaching thing in both a high school and middle school setting, I know that you NEED them to believe that you actually are in charge (even if you're not feeling it).

But it got me thinking that Don might be in a bit of an awkward position, considering he is one of us, but is now leading us - only temporarily!  But, I contend he is doing a great job so far and should not be afraid to observe things and call us out on how we're doing.

His observation was that we, as a group, tend to slow down.  He did what I probably would have done and said "Maybe it's me...", but several of the ensemble members nodded in agreement that we do, indeed, tend to slow down.

So, I title today's post "Honesty is the best policy" and encourage Don to be honest with us.  It's all too easy when you're in the massive quilt of the band to be unaware of what is actually going on.  Playing an instrument requires an insane amount of multitasking, with attention to detail.  And sometimes it's hard to do all those things after a full day of work, in the middle of the week, on cold winter nights.  But, you can't fake any of it.  That's why the conductor is there to call you out on it!

Stay honest Don!  And ensemble, let's try to look up more often (I'm guilty of it too).  If we all try, maybe it will catch on!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year fellow musicians and readers (I think there are one or two of you - I actually got some comments - yay)!

I was thinking about this the other day, and I believe this January marks my 5th year with the band. Crazy how time flies along with fingers and tongues on all those barn burners we've performed. I could get into them, but that's not what this blog post is about!

This is about the new year. For us, it begins under a new (interim) director - Don Glassel. Well, he's not technically new, he's been our associate conductor for a while now, and I am personally excited to have him take the helm. Afterall, we're used to working with Don already from time to time, so it's comforting (like a cup of hot chocolate). But, we're not used to working with him for an entire program's worth of music. That's where I'm excited.
I don't know Don very well personally, but I know he has spent some time under the baton of the great Miles Johnson. Miles "Mity" Johnson was the director of the St. Olaf Band for many years, before Tim Mahr took the helm. Now, I have studied under Tim Mahr, and got to play under Mity once or twice, so, really, in the way of music, Don is like a cousin of mine.

Don did a great job in his first full rehearsal. As a musician, I really appreciate his attention to musicality. A first rehearsal back after break is always a bit rusty, and you tend to really just read through stuff and not pay attention to dynamics and such. But, Don is a stickler for those quiet moments and will not settle for a pianissimo coming out as a "mezzo whatever". I love that. It's good for us.

The folder has some interesting numbers in it already, and it sounds like we're getting the super hard pieces next week. Can't wait! Stay tuned.