[Menvi-discuss] Advice on onductor signals during choir rehearsal

[Sandra Gayer]

Hello,
I'm A Soprano Singer and Braille Music Teacher. I'd just like to echo
what has been said. Listening and knowing the score, as many parts as
you can read and listen for, will be your greatest friends in your
endeavour. Seeing the conductor isn't everything. I have been in big
productions where there are too many people and the stage too big for
everyone to see the conductor so all cast members are encouraged to
get to know the music as well as possible. This is easier said than
done, especially when there is an orchestral score involved. It will
help you when you are expected to move around thestage in relation to
each other and the orchestra. Trust me when I say that the music will
sound different, depending on which instrument is nearest to you. This
is where getting the hang of different parts or lines will come in
handy, as well as your own.

Coming and cutting off seem hard but, again, knowing the score in the
first place will help you. It's not as if the conductor is going to
change their mind about how long a beat is, every rehearsal. If the
pieces you're performing are, as it were, contemporary, with constant
time signature changes, it can be difficult, at first, to get your
inner metronome going. As Julie said, listening to the people around
you will help too.

HTH,
very best wishes,
Sandra.

On 2/16/23, Kaiti Shelton via Menvi-discuss <menvi-discuss at menvi.org> wrote:
> Hello,
>
> I pretty much exclusively go by the breath, and I talk with the director of
> the choir so that I have the information straight from the source. I take
> notes and use them when I practice. In the choir I just joined recently, all
> performances are off book for all singers, so I'm on even ground in the
> sense that we all just use music for rehearsal and memorize for performance.
> We also have rehearsal tracks available for the entire choir, which also
> help. This is what works for me in addition to braille music,but I agree
> working with those around you and the conductor to find a way that works for
> you.
>
> All the best,
> Kaiti Shelton, MT-BC
> Music Therapist-Board Certified
>
>
>> On Feb 15, 2023, at 9:12 PM, Jeanie Willis via Menvi-discuss
>> <menvi-discuss at menvi.org> wrote:
>>
>> Hi,
>>
>> I saw an article some time ago about a baton that could create haptic
>> feedback to a wrist or ankle band (or multiple) worn by a blind user in a
>> choir or orchestra.  I'm not sure how far this was along in development
>> and
>> suspect it will not be cheap but it was an interesting approach to this
>> issue.
>>
>> The idea was that you would get your info straight from the conductor in
>> real time.  The concern with anyone tapping you, etc was that it will
>> always
>> be in relay a second behind the conductors movement.
>>
>> I think it was on one of my other lists that I saw this, so can ask if
>> anyone remembers where it came from if anyone wants further info.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Menvi-discuss On Behalf Of Kelsey Nicolay via Menvi-discuss
>> Sent: Wednesday, 15 February 2023 10:13 AM
>> To: menvi-discuss at menvi.org
>> Cc: Kelsey Nicolay <piano.girl0299 at gmail.com>
>> Subject: [Menvi-discuss] Advice on onductor signals during choir rehearsal
>>
>> Good afternoon,
>> I've been away from music for a while, but am once again singing in my
>> community choir under a new director (much better than the way things were
>> last time I sang with the group). I was unable to secure braille music
>> transcription for this season, but am hopeful I will be able to have my
>> music transcribed for the fall. I am therefore only using the words which
>> I
>> was able to get brailled. I have spoken with the person who sits next to
>> me
>> and she agreed to help me with the signals the conductor is giving for
>> when
>> he wants to slow the group down, cutoffs, etc. that I cannot see. She
>> suggested maybe having her touch my leg when the director cuts the choir
>> off
>> at the end of a piece, but I don't want her signals to draw attention, so
>> is
>> there a standard to follow for this or can we come up with our own system
>> based on our unique needs? I've been out of the choir world for several
>> years, so I'm sure things have changed considerably. My neighbor does a
>> good
>> job of explaining what the director is doing during warmups when he adds
>> gestures to encourage a certain technique and will help me when needed,
>> mainly by having me place my hand over hers as she does the motion. She
>> also
>> reads the notes to me for a specific section of music we are working on,
>> but
>> we're unsure how to go about indicating the conductor's nonverbal cues.
>> Any
>> suggestions on this would be greatly appreciated.
>>
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-- 
Sandra Gayer DipABRSM, LRSM.

Soprano Singer
www.sandragayer.com

Broadcast Presenter
www.rnibconnectradio.org.uk/music-box.html

Actor
www.visablepeople.com

Voiceover Artist
www.archangelvoices.co.uk/content/sandra-gayer