In my view, many of the same characteristics are needed for a conductor of amateur groups as for professional, but perhaps not in such concentrated form.
One key difference is that amateurs play for enjoyment, and if they stop enjoying themselves they will stop playing or go elsewhere. That means that the conductor of an amateur group has to go about his business more by encouragement. That doesn't mean avoiding criticism, but concentrating the criticism on a specific point rather than on the player in general, and where possible asking for something to be played differently without implying it was wrong before - after all there are many different approaches to music making! I have no time for amateur conductors (or amateur groups for that matter) who aren't genuinely trying to produce the very best performance they are capable of. I would much rather play with a group of lesser ability that is trying to improve than a better group that has become lazy and complacent. In other words, a professional *attitude* needs to be brought to rehearsal and performance irrespective of the quality of the players. Regards Jonathan West _______________________________________________ post: horn@music.memphis.edu unsubscribe or set options at http://music2.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
