December 10, 2024

Someone once said that there are three stages to a conductor’s career. In the first stage, conducting is easy (when one has no idea what is really involved). In the second stage, conducting is impossible (once the realization of the responsibilities sets in). In the third stage conducting is easy again (the value of experience).
 
My experience has been a bit different. I have never found it “easy”. If the third stage truly awaits me, I look forward to that, but I’m not holding my breath.
 
Having said all that, there is something to be said for experience. There is only so much about the art of conducting that can be taught, and there is only so much we can do in our quiet study time to build experience or compensate for lack thereof. Nothing can replace what a conductor learns standing in front of an orchestra.
 
The opportunity to do multiple performances of a work in succession is turbo-charged learning at any stage in one’s career. I have had such an opportunity with the Flint Symphony, The Flint Institute of Music and Nutcracker, which we did this weekend. We do two performances in the season, but more significantly, this was my 4th season conducting this production for them.
 
Settling in to a production on a multi-year basis presents a conductor a unique opportunity for self-reflection musically, even for those of us who have been doing this a while. It is a chance to consider and re-consider possibilities, strategies, techniques, seek new levels of refinement and engagement. I suppose there is a limit to this kind of opportunity, but I haven’t hit it yet.
 
There can also be an inspiration factor from watching and participating in the evolution of a production over multiple years. Each year builds on the past, even with new individuals involved on stage or in the pit. The production as a whole is like a living, breathing organism looking to find its best place from year to year.
 
It was a joy to be in the pit with the Flint players again, and the production, under Tara Gragg's artistic direction was, as always, beautiful and memorable.

I must admit, I am always pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming audience reaction to Nutcracker.  Our two sold-out houses responded with a visceral level of joy, appreciation and excitement that one does not normally encounter in the classical arts.  It surprises me, but it shouldn’t… the movement, the color, the drama, the visual splendor and that music, that glorious music, all together make the  miracle that is Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker. What's not to love? 
 
 
NEXT UP
 
December  15,  2024
 
Lansing Symphony Orchestra
Holiday Pops
Wharton Center for the Performing Arts
East Lansing, Michigan
3:00 p.m.

#FIM #Flint Symphony