Conducting and Rehearsing the Instrumental Music Ensemble

Scenarios, Priorities, Strategies, Essentials, and Repertoire

John F. Colson

Conducting and Rehearsing the Instrumental Music Ensemble is the most comprehensive guide on the rehearsalprocess for conducting instrumental music ensembles. Ideal for the advanced instrumental music conductor seeking to look beyond basic conducting technique, this work breaks the multidimensional activity of working with an ensemble, orchestra, or band into its constituent components.

Advanced students of conducting will find within the full range of conducting activities:

• Chapters on the infrastructure of the rehearsal, the rehearsal environment, 10 rehearsal essentials, score study, music imagery, inner singing, and rehearsal procedures (with an emphasis on an integrated approach to rehearsing)
• The technical priorities of intonation and tuning, rhythm patterns, ensemble sonority (tone, balance, blend, color and texture), and articulation
• The musical priorities of tempo and ensemble precision, phrasing and the musical line, style and interpretation, dynamics and musical expression
• Emphasizing the expectations of 21^st-century conductors, the challenges of conducting and rehearsing contemporary music, preparing conductor profiles and self-evaluations, and moving from the rehearsal process to concert performance

Conducting and Rehearsing the Instrumental Music Ensemble is a great resource for teachers and students of conducting, as well as current conductors wishing to further hone their skills.

Scarecrow Press

Pages: 520 • Trim: 7 x 10

978-0-8108-8260-7 • Paperback • August 2012 • $124.00 • (£95.00)

978-0-8108-8261-4 • eBook • August 2012 • $117.50 • (£91.00)

Subjects: Music / Instruction & Study / Conducting, Music / Instruction & Study / Techniques

Courses: Music; Applied; Introductory

Conducting and Rehearsing the Instrumental Music Ensemble

Scenarios, Priorities, Strategies, Essentials, and Repertoire

Paperback

eBook

Summary

Conducting and Rehearsing the Instrumental Music Ensemble is the most comprehensive guide on the rehearsalprocess for conducting instrumental music ensembles. Ideal for the advanced instrumental music conductor seeking to look beyond basic conducting technique, this work breaks the multidimensional activity of working with an ensemble, orchestra, or band into its constituent components.

Advanced students of conducting will find within the full range of conducting activities:

• Chapters on the infrastructure of the rehearsal, the rehearsal environment, 10 rehearsal essentials, score study, music imagery, inner singing, and rehearsal procedures (with an emphasis on an integrated approach to rehearsing)
• The technical priorities of intonation and tuning, rhythm patterns, ensemble sonority (tone, balance, blend, color and texture), and articulation
• The musical priorities of tempo and ensemble precision, phrasing and the musical line, style and interpretation, dynamics and musical expression
• Emphasizing the expectations of 21^st-century conductors, the challenges of conducting and rehearsing contemporary music, preparing conductor profiles and self-evaluations, and moving from the rehearsal process to concert performance

Conducting and Rehearsing the Instrumental Music Ensemble is a great resource for teachers and students of conducting, as well as current conductors wishing to further hone their skills.

Details

Scarecrow Press

Pages: 520 • Trim: 7 x 10

978-0-8108-8260-7 • Paperback • August 2012 • $124.00 • (£95.00)

978-0-8108-8261-4 • eBook • August 2012 • $117.50 • (£91.00)

Subjects: Music / Instruction & Study / Conducting, Music / Instruction & Study / Techniques

Courses: Music; Applied; Introductory

Author

John F. Colson is Professor Emeritus of Music at South Dakota State University. He has also been the Conductor and Music Director of the South Dakota State University-Civic Symphony Orchestra for 34 years.

Table of Contents

Preface
Part I: The Rehearsal Scenario
Chapter 1: The Rehearsal Scenario: Infrastructure and Process
Chapter 2: Creating the Rehearsal Environment and Climate
Chapter 3: The Ten Essentials of the Rehearsal Process Scenario

Part II: The Conductor In The Rehearsal Process
Chapter 4: Conducting Technique
Chapter 5: Score Study, Music Imagery and Inner Singing
Chapter 6: Rehearsal Segments and Procedures
Chapter 7: An Integrated Approach to Rehearsing

Part III: Technical Priorities And Teaching Strategies
Chapter 8: Intonation and Tuning
Chapter 9: Rhythms and Rhythm Patterns
Chapter 10: Ensemble Sonority: Tone, Balance, Blend, Color and Texture
Chapter 11: Articulation and Bowing

Part IV: Musical Priorities And Teaching Strategies
Chapter 12: Tempo and Ensemble Precision
Chapter 13: Phrasing and the Musical Line
Chapter 14: Style and Musical Interpretation
Chapter 15: Dynamics, Nuances and Musical Expression

Part V: The Conductor In The 21st Century
Chapter 16: Conducting and Rehearsing Contemporary Music
Chapter 17: Conductor Profile and Self-Evaluation
Chapter 18: From Rehearsal Process to Concert Performance

Appendix A: Score Study and Program Building with Standard Repertoire [Online]
Appendix B: An Outline of Conducting and Rehearsing Problems
Appendix C: An Outline of Technical Problems Encountered in the Ensemble Rehearsal Process
Appendix D: Instrumental Techniques, Intonation Problems/Solutions and Special Effects for Individual Instruments plus Contemporary Music Special Effects and the Notation Bibliography
Appendix E: Conducting/Rehearsing Videos Recommended
Appendix F: Student Project Evaluations (Conducting/Rehearsing)
Appendix G: Listening and Score Study Analysis Assignment Forms

Addendum I: Creating a Rehearsal Process (Lab) Environment in the Conducting Curriculum
Addendum II: Possible Class Activities, Discussions, Demonstrations, Projects and Assignments for Advanced Conductors

Bibliography
About the Author

Reviews

In music education, few subjects are as challenging to teach as conducting. Music majors might be given just one semester of technique, and even more extensive music programs face limitations in preparing students to conduct. Though most textbooks provide beginning basic baton technique, instruction on more advanced topics, such as developing rehearsal strategies and ensemble technical and stylistic capabilities, is often quite limited. (There is just not enough time to thoroughly prepare each student for what is a career-long learning experience.) Such topics are at the very heart of Colson's book, which includes clusters of chapters on rehearsal scenarios and processes, teaching strategies, stylistic approaches, and ongoing professional development. Colson (emer., South Dakota State Univ.) aims this study at those who are inexperienced in applying the basic baton skills they have learned. Accordingly, it will help people who are preparing for student teaching or internships, or entering the first years of their professional conducting careers. Rich in content, clearly and meticulously organized, and easy to read, this book will be helpful for any inexperienced conductor facing the professional podium experience for the first time. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates, graduate students, professionals.
— Choice Reviews

Designed specifically for the advanced instrumental music conductor, this volume goes beyond the basic materials and breaks new ground in conducting and getting the most out of your orchestra. The 18 chapters are arranged into five parts: The Rehearsal Scenario; the Conductor in the Rehearsal Process; Technical Priorities and Teaching Strategies; Musical Priorities and Teaching Strategies; and the Conductor in the 21st Century. The author adeptly addresses such issues as the infrastructure of rehearsal, with an emphasis on an integrated approach; technical priorities (e.g., intonation, rhythm patterns, articulation); and musical priorities (e.g., tempo, style and interpretation, dynamics). Conductors will be especially interested in his chapter on the expectations of twenty-first century conducts, which addresses the challenges of conducting contemporary music and modern-day concert performances. Nine appendixes conclude the work and provide outlines of rehearsal problems and technical problems, evaluations, creating a rehearsal process, and class activities and discussions. A work on the cutting edge of instrumental music, this book will be a valuable addition to university libraries with advanced music programs.
— American Reference Books Annual

[The book is] a comprehensive and successful advanced conducting course. . . .Is this book a worthwhile read for anyone who is not an aspiring conductor? I think it is. Basically it's all about achieving a good musical performance; whichever side of the podium you are, the fundamentals are the same.
— International Trombone Association Journal

Conducting and Rehearsing the Instrumental Music Ensemble contains insights in education that have been accumulated through years of conducting experience and it's intended for advanced instrumental conducting courses within the curriculum. ... Colson's writing is clear and very detailed. His concepts are beneficial for students and professionals.
— NACWPI Journal

Conducting and Rehearsing the Instrumental Music Ensemble is a richly detailed and well-organized book that is intended to be a study guide for the maturing conductor. . . .This extensively researched book can be used either in an intermediate college course or as supplemental self-study material.
— International Trumpet Guild