Stick Time: Become A Coaching Staff of One

The day after a football game, the team's coaching staff reviews game film.  The line coach studies the performance of the big guys up front.  The running back coach examines the performance of the ball carriers.  The quarterback coach scrutinizes the passer.  They then consult with the head coach and make corrections as necessary to the players in their area.

 

As conductors, we don't have the luxury of a coaching staff to help us ferret-out challenges.  In a sense, however, we can direct our listening as if we are playing different “coaching” roles.  With that in mind, listen to this performance three times, focusing your listening toward a different item each time. For instance, isolate a single voice part, or zero-in on vowel color, then perhaps you could listen for the effect of the vibrato, or the evenness of the balance (either between the sections or within a single section).

 

All you need now is a clipboard and a whistle . . .