Conducting
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I conducted the 8th & 9th grade full orchestra playing Rossini's "Barber of Seville" (arranged by Richard Meyer) in the Hollidaysburg Area Junior High School spring concert. At the left is a video from the concert.
At the beginning of my junior high placement, my conducting had some definite weaknesses that I worked hard to improve. I was showing a clear beat and giving cues, however I mostly mirrored the beat with my left hand, and had a lot of tension. I also used a higher ictus than was appropriate for orchestral conducting. After spending a lot of time focusing on my conducting in this setting, I feel that it has definitely improved. My left hand is doing much more than just mirroring the beat now, and all of my gestures have become more musically expressive. In this video I showed dynamics, musical phrasing, clear cues, and less tension in my shoulders. I also had the opportunity to conduct several songs at the Foot of Ten Elementary School spring chorus concert. You can view "One-Eyed Jack" by Nancy Telfer at the left. |