MANAGING THE CONCERT Ch. 17: Planning and Managing The Concert Administrative Issues Marisa Bouwkamp

Organization: Cue Cards Great way to stay organized Keeps you focused before and after you step on stage Determines the length of time needed for each section of the concert. Announcements/ verbal program notes Entrances/ Exits from stage Performance

Cue Cards: Example Before the Concert: Concert programs: finished and placed outside the auditorium Ushers: Organize a meeting Doors unlocked Equipment Baton Tuner Scores Announcement Cards

Cue Cards: Example Warm-up Double check wardrobe Line-up for stage entrance Lock the room when you leave You may not want students to leave valuables in the room

Cue Cards: Example Concert Begins Bring down house lights Opening announcements On Stage List of soloists to acknowledge List of announcements for the audience

Announcements Topics Concert etiquette Upcoming dates: class trips, deadlines, concerts Extra-curricular opportunities/ private lessons Requests for parent help Student Achievements Special events Thank-yous Mistakes in the program Presentation Keep it brief Small amounts in between ensembles or pieces. Put in concert program or run on a powerpoint prior to the concert.

Tuning Before: Tune each individual or in sections Use regular tuning sequence with one common tone source Strings: enlist help from experienced players On Stage: Concertmaster: have them enter from stage right and bow. Tune A first then direct students to move to D, G, C, and E No concertmaster: use a visual cue to signal the tuning note

Student Etiquette Moving on stage Change of Ensemble Emergencies Seated in the Audience Have seating reserved to avoid issues during the concert Posture and Instrument Position Rest, Standing, and Playing Position

Conductor Stage Etiquette Entrance: After the group has settled and tuned Carry only a baton, have music on podium opened Dont look at the ground Acknowledge the audience Applause Be gracious Gesture to soloists and ensemble Turn to the audience, smile, bow (head down). Bow after every piece but only after the other acknowledgments

Conductor Stage Etiquette Beginning a piece: Make eye contact with timpanist and players who begin the piece Lift hands in the conducting ready position Ending a piece: Conductors hand and players instruments should stay up until the last note has decayed Lower hands in a way that reflects the style of the ending

Aural Program Notes Teaching Audiences What We Teach Our Students Comments should be short and objective Help guide listeners to find something to which they can relate Allow students/ administration to participate Topics: Introduce themes and motive build layers in a thickly textured piece break down harmonies show how a theme transforms introduce unusual instruments

References Feldman, Evan, Ari Contzius, and Mitchell Lutch. Instrumental Music Education: Teaching with the Musical and Practical in Harmony. New York: Routledge, Print Phillips, Kenneth H. Directing the Choral Music Program. New York: Oxford UP, Print. Nimmo, D. (2002). Programming the perfect concert. Teaching Music, 10(3), Retrieved from ?accountid=39473 Music Education Blogs: preparation/