Page 19 - 2017-BMR-December

Bringing the Music to Life

Don Haynes, Jr.

Here in the great state of Texas, we and enthusiastic young people. I Think on that for a moment. Allow me
music educators enjoy great support of am often moved by these fabulous to emphasize some key elements that
parents, community, administrators, youngsters who hunger for the I believe truly help bring the music to
and of course, the best students on opportunity to make exciting music life. My fellow conductors, you cannot
campus. We do a marvelous job of on the concert stage. They seem to shortcut the number one element. It is
teaching young musicians to make enjoy being in the ensemble, making a must!!! You must know the score
music. Yes! They do some pretty a musical contribution when it’s time extremely well. Study it, and learn it
amazing things with their musical for them to play. They embrace the so that you may use your gestures to
talents. Many of our middle school and music making experience and cherish show the ensemble and the audience
high school groups perform the finest this rewarding activity. Performing in what the music is doing.
wind literature written. Through music, a group becomes the most wonderful • Learn the gestures that show
we invite our students to embrace high bonding session musicians get to phrasing, style, lyrical lines,
standards, practicing and mastering experience. Therefore, it becomes my crescendos, accents, etc.
excellence. In essence, we teach them job to inspire, motivate, and encourage • Learn the gestures that “help” your
to love music—a passion that we too them to bring the printed music “to ensemble breath and enter together
embrace—not only as a profession, but life.” It is my personal challenge that every time. (Don’t make them guess…
as a major love of our lives. That part I accept the moment I step on the that can’t be fun for them)
of our job we do very well, but what podium. • Practice a variety of gestures in
about the music? Are we doing justice I know that effective score study, front of a mirror. (Video tape yourself
to the composer’s work? What is your special insights, and appropriate in rehearsals)
approach to the art of conducting your conducting on my part will help them • Learn to use facial gestures that
fine musicians? ... and the music itself? bring the music to life. By the way, show the musicians intensity, joy, love,
Like many of you reading this young musicians just love it when you sadness, etc. (the great conductors
article, I was fortunate to have an give them a story behind the work. don’t have a problem doing this, why
excellent conducting professor. I encourage you to share with the should we?)
During my undergraduate studies at ensemble the composer’s intent and • Practice chorales with your band,
The University of Texas, Austin in any historical significance represented using a variety of gestures, changing
the 1970s, then conducting professor by the composition. I contend that things each time you play the chorale.
Dr. Bill Moody would state his beliefs just as a movie director works his (Look for ways to be creative) Make
and desires for his young aspiring craft at every level, offering creative yourself “get out of the score”, Look
music students. One of my favorites ideas, and motivating the actors to up, and make eye contact more often.
was, “The conductor’s number one produce ‘”their magic,” so must a I like to smile at soloist’s right after
responsibility is to get the tempo music conductor work his craft to they’ve presented a nice solo. The rest
right”. This conductor agrees whole bring the music to life. The biggest of the group sees that and they feed on
heartedly. And now, I am adding differences, of course, are our art form that, believe me.
my personal favorite belief: As a is done live and our passion is all in • Plan ahead, plan how you will cue
conductor, I believe it’s our job to the music. Unlike the movie makers, major entrances and practice them at
“bring the music to life.” we get one chance to successfully pull home first.
As I travel across the country to off a selected work. • Know when to get out of the way
conduct and clinic bands, I am quite During that musical performance, of the players (esp. a long solo)
fortunate to work with many energetic what is the job of the conductor? • Learn how to use dynamic

Bandmasters Review • December 2017 17 Texas Bandmasters Association