Stick Time: Conducting Study 4

Today, let’s observe three things about this colleague’s work in this short clip.  First, note the gesture used for the inhalation of air – it brings the visual focus to the area where the singer needs to place energy for the breath.   Then, a crescendo is shown using a pulling/stretching movement that is also done low, to reinforce support.  Finally, the conductor reinforces the vowel shape, ostensibly to prevent singers from creating a crescendo by shifting vowels.  Take a moment in your rehearsal today to see how your gestures affect the sound the choir makes.