Bravo, MSU Concert Orchestra
26/11/14 21:41
Someone once told me that we, as musicians, should have at least 100 life-changing musical experiences each year of our lives. I had one today:
The collegiate group I heard tonight is made up primarily of non-music majors – undergrads vigorously pursuing other degrees, but searching out an opportunity to continue musical creativity. I’m watching the intensity of their concentration as they perform, the intimacy of affirming glances with the conductor, the genuine desire to be music-makers. Authentic. Profound. Harmonious.
But even more than these tremendous young musicians, I’m watching their conductors. These incredible men, so commandingly shepherding their ensemble, their ensemble, through the experience of presenting the product of so many weeks together, but a lifetime of practice. I’m overwhelmed by the immensity of difficulty in acquiring the physical language that brings about those musics I experienced tonight. It takes a lifetime acquiring the language, the mind, and the will to bring about such music-making. Graceful, sensitive conductors are miraculous. I think of the year I spent, so incredibly lucky to be a fly on the wall of their studio, watching their struggles and successes. And I ache for a musical world in which composers and conductors find community and camaraderie in being music-makers together, rather than so divorced in our musical spheres.
I was reminded tonight of those incredible musicians with whom I was able to spend these last few years. Until tonight, I never realized how much I miss those dedicated hours of passionate discussion, tender disagreement, and exchange of ideas with incredible faculty and my inspiring peers, my fellows grad students. I was blessed with some truly tremendous experiences during the last few years, one of the most profound being those many hours I spent with these conductors. I only hope I can approach my side of the craft with as much tenderness and strength.
Bravo, MSU concert orchestra!
The collegiate group I heard tonight is made up primarily of non-music majors – undergrads vigorously pursuing other degrees, but searching out an opportunity to continue musical creativity. I’m watching the intensity of their concentration as they perform, the intimacy of affirming glances with the conductor, the genuine desire to be music-makers. Authentic. Profound. Harmonious.
But even more than these tremendous young musicians, I’m watching their conductors. These incredible men, so commandingly shepherding their ensemble, their ensemble, through the experience of presenting the product of so many weeks together, but a lifetime of practice. I’m overwhelmed by the immensity of difficulty in acquiring the physical language that brings about those musics I experienced tonight. It takes a lifetime acquiring the language, the mind, and the will to bring about such music-making. Graceful, sensitive conductors are miraculous. I think of the year I spent, so incredibly lucky to be a fly on the wall of their studio, watching their struggles and successes. And I ache for a musical world in which composers and conductors find community and camaraderie in being music-makers together, rather than so divorced in our musical spheres.
I was reminded tonight of those incredible musicians with whom I was able to spend these last few years. Until tonight, I never realized how much I miss those dedicated hours of passionate discussion, tender disagreement, and exchange of ideas with incredible faculty and my inspiring peers, my fellows grad students. I was blessed with some truly tremendous experiences during the last few years, one of the most profound being those many hours I spent with these conductors. I only hope I can approach my side of the craft with as much tenderness and strength.
Bravo, MSU concert orchestra!
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