Rehearsing

Critical Connections for the Instrumental Music Conductor

John F. Colson

Following on the heels of his Conducting and Rehearsing the Instrumental Music Ensemble, John F. Colson takes students to the next level in conducting practice with Rehearsing: Critical Connections for the Instrumental Music Conductor. Colson draws together the critical connections for those seeking to become fully capable and self-assured instrumental music conductors. As he argues, too often conductor training programs treat the problems and challenges of the rehearsal—perhaps the single most critical element in any effort to achieve competency as a conductor—as secondary.

Colson supplies the missing link for conductors looking for advice that allows them to complete their training for reaching complete competency as a conductor. He demonstrates throughout the specific connections that the advanced conductor must know and regularly employ—connections that few, if any, other works on the art of conducting address or bring together. One connection, for example, illustrates the joining of music imagery, inner singing, and conducting technique to score study. Throughout, these connections describe the nitty-gritty of what it really takes to stand up in front of an instrumental music ensemble and successfully rehearse in order to achieve its highest performance level.

Also, Colson argues and demonstrates the pitfalls of the commonly mistaken assumption among instrumental music conductors that score study alone is sufficient to prepare them for the rehearsal process. This grave error is regularly belied by the fact that a number of other steps precede the actual rehearsal process, from the use of instrumental pedagogy during the rehearsal process to teaching through performance concepts. Colson’s work addresses the entire rehearsing process thoroughly and authoritatively.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 312 • Trim: 6⅜ x 9¼

978-1-4422-5078-9 • Hardback • July 2015 • $129.00 • (£99.00)

978-1-4422-5079-6 • Paperback • July 2015 • $76.00 • (£58.00)

978-1-4422-5080-2 • eBook • July 2015 • $72.00 • (£55.00)

Subjects: Music / Instruction & Study / Conducting, Music / General, Music / Instruction & Study / Exercises

Rehearsing

Critical Connections for the Instrumental Music Conductor

Hardback

Paperback

eBook

Summary

Following on the heels of his Conducting and Rehearsing the Instrumental Music Ensemble, John F. Colson takes students to the next level in conducting practice with Rehearsing: Critical Connections for the Instrumental Music Conductor. Colson draws together the critical connections for those seeking to become fully capable and self-assured instrumental music conductors. As he argues, too often conductor training programs treat the problems and challenges of the rehearsal—perhaps the single most critical element in any effort to achieve competency as a conductor—as secondary.

Colson supplies the missing link for conductors looking for advice that allows them to complete their training for reaching complete competency as a conductor. He demonstrates throughout the specific connections that the advanced conductor must know and regularly employ—connections that few, if any, other works on the art of conducting address or bring together. One connection, for example, illustrates the joining of music imagery, inner singing, and conducting technique to score study. Throughout, these connections describe the nitty-gritty of what it really takes to stand up in front of an instrumental music ensemble and successfully rehearse in order to achieve its highest performance level.

Also, Colson argues and demonstrates the pitfalls of the commonly mistaken assumption among instrumental music conductors that score study alone is sufficient to prepare them for the rehearsal process. This grave error is regularly belied by the fact that a number of other steps precede the actual rehearsal process, from the use of instrumental pedagogy during the rehearsal process to teaching through performance concepts. Colson’s work addresses the entire rehearsing process thoroughly and authoritatively.

Details

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 312 • Trim: 6⅜ x 9¼

978-1-4422-5078-9 • Hardback • July 2015 • $129.00 • (£99.00)

978-1-4422-5079-6 • Paperback • July 2015 • $76.00 • (£58.00)

978-1-4422-5080-2 • eBook • July 2015 • $72.00 • (£55.00)

Subjects: Music / Instruction & Study / Conducting, Music / General, Music / Instruction & Study / Exercises

Author

John F. Colson is professor emeritus of music at South Dakota State University. He has been the Conductor and Music Director of the South Dakota State University – Civic Symphony Orchestra for 34 years. He is the author of Conducting and Rehearsing the Instrumental Music Ensemble: Scenarios, Priorities, Strategies, Essentials, and Repertoire (Scarecrow 2012).

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Connection One: Conducting and Rehearsing
Connection Two: The Right Hand vs. The Left Hand
Connection Three: Music Imagery, Inner Singing, and Conducting Technique
Connection Four: Score Study, Rehearsal Planning and Rehearsal Preparations
Connection Five: Instrumental Pedagogy during the Rehearsal Process
Connection Six: Watching and Listening by the Ensemble
Connection Seven: Listening and Musical Sensitivity by the Conductor
Connection Eight: The Use of Rehearsal Time and Rehearsal Pacing
Connection Nine: Multitasking and Awareness in the Rehearsal Process
Connection Ten: Conductor Demonstrations, Modeling/Imitation, and Feedback
Connection Eleven: The Communication – Conducting, Verbally, and Musically
Connection Twelve: The Essence and Spirit of the Music
Connection Thirteen: “Words to Live By”
Connection Fourteen: Re-Hear-Sing
Connection Fifteen: Teaching through Performance Concepts
Connection Sixteen: Symphony Orchestra, Concert Band and Smaller Ensembles
Connection Seventeen: “Think Musically ALWAYS”
Connection Eighteen: Trust and Leadership
The Coda: Connecting the Conductor Competency Chain
Appendix A: Conducting/Rehearsing Projects for the Rehearsal Process Lab Environment
Appendix B: Equipment Needed in the Rehearsal Process Environment
Appendix C: A Continuum for the Advanced Instrumental Music Conductor
Appendix D: Video Creation and Reviewing Instructions
Appendix E: Videographic Scenarios and Teacher Assessment
Bibliography
Index
About the Author

Reviews

Rehearsing presents a compelling argument for each of the connections discussed in a clear and focused manner. Of particular note are chapters Teaching through Performance Concepts and Words to Live By, both of which contain phrases to use during rehearsal to solve problems and make connections quickly and succinctly.
— Pan Pipes (Journal of Sigma Alpha Iota)

Rehearsing

Critical Connections for the Instrumental Music Conductor

John F. Colson

Rehearsing

Critical Connections for the Instrumental Music Conductor

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