Conducting is the art of directing a musical performance, such as an
orchestral or choral concert. It has been defined as "the art of
directing the simultaneous performance of several players or singers
by the use of gesture." The primary duties of the conductor are to
interpret the score in a way which reflects the specific indications
in that score, set the tempo, ensure correct entries by ensemble
members, and "shape" the phrasing where appropriate. Conductors
communicate with their musicians primarily through hand gestures,
usually with the aid of a baton, and may use other gestures or signals
such as eye contact. A conductor usually supplements their direction
with verbal instructions to their musicians in rehearsal.The conductor
typically stands on a raised podium with a large music stand for the
full score, which contains the musical notation for all the
instruments or voices. Since the mid-19th century, most conductors
have not played an instrument when conducting, although in earlier
periods of classical music history, leading an ensemble while playing
an instrument was common. In Baroque music from the 1600s to the
1750s, the group would typically be led by the harpsichordist or first
violinist (see concertmaster), an approach that in modern times has
been revived by several music directors for music from this period.
Conducting while playing a piano or synthesizer may also be done with
musical theatre pit orchestras. Communication is typically non-verbal
during a performance (this is strictly the case in art music, but in
jazz big bands or large pop ensembles, there may be occasional spoken
instructions, such as a "count in"). However, in rehearsals, frequent
interruptions allow the conductor to give verbal directions as to how
the music should be played or sung.Conductors act as guides to the
orchestras or choirs they conduct. They choose the works to be
performed and study their scores, to which they may make certain
adjustments (such as in tempo, articulation, phrasing, repetitions of
sections), work out their interpretation, and relay their vision to
the performers. They may also attend to organizational matters, such
as scheduling rehearsals, planning a concert season, hearing auditions
and selecting members, and promoting their ensemble in the media.
Orchestras, choirs, concert bands, and other sizable musical ensembles
such as big bands are usually led by conductors.The principal
conductor of an orchestra or opera company is sometimes referred to as
a music director or chief conductor, or by the German words
Kapellmeister or Dirigent. Conductors of choirs or choruses are
sometimes referred to as choral director, chorus master, or
choirmaster, particularly for choirs associated with an orchestra.
Conductors of concert bands, military bands, marching bands and other
bands may hold the title of band director, bandmaster, or drum major.
Respected senior conductors are sometimes referred to by the Italian
word, maestro, which translates as "master" or "teacher".
orchestral or choral concert. It has been defined as "the art of
directing the simultaneous performance of several players or singers
by the use of gesture." The primary duties of the conductor are to
interpret the score in a way which reflects the specific indications
in that score, set the tempo, ensure correct entries by ensemble
members, and "shape" the phrasing where appropriate. Conductors
communicate with their musicians primarily through hand gestures,
usually with the aid of a baton, and may use other gestures or signals
such as eye contact. A conductor usually supplements their direction
with verbal instructions to their musicians in rehearsal.The conductor
typically stands on a raised podium with a large music stand for the
full score, which contains the musical notation for all the
instruments or voices. Since the mid-19th century, most conductors
have not played an instrument when conducting, although in earlier
periods of classical music history, leading an ensemble while playing
an instrument was common. In Baroque music from the 1600s to the
1750s, the group would typically be led by the harpsichordist or first
violinist (see concertmaster), an approach that in modern times has
been revived by several music directors for music from this period.
Conducting while playing a piano or synthesizer may also be done with
musical theatre pit orchestras. Communication is typically non-verbal
during a performance (this is strictly the case in art music, but in
jazz big bands or large pop ensembles, there may be occasional spoken
instructions, such as a "count in"). However, in rehearsals, frequent
interruptions allow the conductor to give verbal directions as to how
the music should be played or sung.Conductors act as guides to the
orchestras or choirs they conduct. They choose the works to be
performed and study their scores, to which they may make certain
adjustments (such as in tempo, articulation, phrasing, repetitions of
sections), work out their interpretation, and relay their vision to
the performers. They may also attend to organizational matters, such
as scheduling rehearsals, planning a concert season, hearing auditions
and selecting members, and promoting their ensemble in the media.
Orchestras, choirs, concert bands, and other sizable musical ensembles
such as big bands are usually led by conductors.The principal
conductor of an orchestra or opera company is sometimes referred to as
a music director or chief conductor, or by the German words
Kapellmeister or Dirigent. Conductors of choirs or choruses are
sometimes referred to as choral director, chorus master, or
choirmaster, particularly for choirs associated with an orchestra.
Conductors of concert bands, military bands, marching bands and other
bands may hold the title of band director, bandmaster, or drum major.
Respected senior conductors are sometimes referred to by the Italian
word, maestro, which translates as "master" or "teacher".
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