Let’s just say there were some embarrassing moments.
It has been almost 30 years since I played in an orchestra and my ensemble skills were never very strong. Besides learning my part, what are the things I need to work on to improve my leadership and “followership” skills in an orchestra?
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Playing chamber music plus orchestra and weekly lessons may be a bit more than I could chew. My original plan was to do one major concerto a year: Bruch, Mendelssohn, and so on. I may have to reevaluate my priorities.
I have found it easier to understand what the conductor expects from the first stand than from far behind somewhere. It is not all a burden--or actually it is not a burden at all.
Don't be sad about the concertos you may not have time for. In my experience it is much more rewarding for an amateur to play orchestra and/or chamber music than to practice concertos which you will never get to play with orchestra anyway.
Interesting re John Georgiadis, Malcolm. I'm curious about how much impact Pro leaders can have. I've heard that at times the big UK bands follow the leader and pretty much ignore the conductor. I remember seeing the last night of the proms in the late 90s with a last minute programme alteration (Jupiter from planets to replace short ride in a fast machine). The leader was almost out of his seat beating time with his scroll. I don't know if that was the Albert Hall acoustic, the conductor losing it, or lack of rehearsal...but that was amazing leadling (also something of a digression on my part!)
Thank you for all your advices.
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In other words, you have to prepare much like the CM does. Come to the first rehearsal of every set with the part learned, if possible.
You should take particular note of the way that the CM plays. Imitate their articulation, bow placement, etc. since you have the communicate it to the rest of the section too. Breathe with the CM.
Orchestral leadership skills can often be built through chamber music. (It's one of the reasons that pro orchestras sometimes require principal candidates to play chamber music with other orchestra members as part of the final round of auditions.)
Is your CM a pro, or another amateur?