Rehearsing: Critical Connections for the Instrumental Music Conductor

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Following on the heels of his Conducting and Rehearsing the Instrumental Music Ensemble, John F. Colson takes students to the next level in conducting practice with Rehearsing: Critical Connections for the Instrumental Music Conductor. Colson draws together the critical connections for those seeking to become fully capable and self-assured instrumental music conductors. As he argues, too often conductor training programs treat the problems and challenges of the rehearsalperhaps the single most critical element in any effort to achieve competency as a conductoras secondary. Colson supplies the missing link for conductors looking for advice that allows them to complete their training for reaching complete competency as a conductor. He demonstrates throughout the specific connections that the advanced conductor must know and regularly employconnections that few, if any, other works on the art of conducting address or bring together. One connection, for example, illustrates the joining of music imagery, inner singing, and conducting technique to score study. Throughout, these connections describe the nitty-gritty of what it really takes to stand up in front of an instrumental music ensemble and successfully rehearse in order to achieve its highest performance level. Also, Colson argues and demonstrates the pitfalls of the commonly mistaken assumption among instrumental music conductors that score study alone is sufficient to prepare them for the rehearsal process. This grave error is regularly belied by the fact that a number of other steps precede the actual rehearsal process, from the use of instrumental pedagogy during the rehearsal process to teaching through performance concepts. Colsons work addresses the entire rehearsing process thoroughly and authoritatively.

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Rehearsing presents a compelling argument for each of the connections discussed in a clear and focused manner. Of particular note are chapters Teaching through Performance Concepts and Words to Live By, both of which contain phrases to use during rehearsal to solve problems and make connections quickly and succinctly. * Pan Pipes (Journal of Sigma Alpha Iota) *

Author Bio

John F. Colson is professor emeritus of music at South Dakota State University. He has been the Conductor and Music Director of the South Dakota State University Civic Symphony Orchestra for 34 years. He is the author of Conducting and Rehearsing the Instrumental Music Ensemble: Scenarios, Priorities, Strategies, Essentials, and Repertoire (Scarecrow 2012).