Most of you will know I am an amateur conductor. And considered to be quite a good one. Don't worry. I'll only spend minimal time listing some of my accolades and achievements, because that's not what this article is about... But I feel people will want to know I know what I'm talking about. Having conducted well over 100 times for groups such as the River City Youth Brass Band, and the Carnegie Mellon Pre-College Ensembles, and receiving high marks from the greats like H. Robert Reynolds and Robert Page, and receiving numerous compliments from members of professional groups like the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, I feel I have the right to mention and talk about conducting seriously...
Now, on to the "meat and potatoes", so to speak. A popular and common debate in our field today is women leading the symphony. You may have your opinions and reasons, hopefully in favor of these magnificent Maestra.
Back in October, and before in July I had the rare opportunity to see The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses in concert. What I had expected was something like the Video Games Live concerts. Fantastic playing by stellar musicians (our Pittsburgh Symphony is really one of the best in the world, no I'm not biased ;) ) and vivid gameplay videos to spark childhood memories. However, some of these I've seen on YouTube and unfortunately there seems to be more "leading the orchestra" rather than true conducting.
I went to the shows, imagining to be blown away by the music and the video, but bracing myself for rather uninspired conducting. My first thought when Maestra Noone walked on stage was. "How interesting, I've never seen a woman conduct a symphony before..." It took about four bars into the Overture for me to realize I was in for a treat being able to see this amazing musician working her magic. She was energetic, and lively, and breathed the music... She was the music, as every conductor strives to be. I walked away from that concert filled with nostalgia and, was surprisingly inspired, despite not thinking I would be at first.
A similar experience came with an equally energetic conductor in October when the show returned for its "Second Quest" At the podium was the show's orchestrator, Susie Benchasil Seiter. Though Noone had left the pulse more often, both women commanded the PSO with power, grace, and energy. Both represented the score on the page as well as any male conductor could have (perhaps even better...), and I rank them among the best conductors I've ever had the privilege to watch. They're not the best women conductors I've seen... They're some of the best conductors I have seen, period.
It should make no difference what they are or anything like that... They're fantastic conductors who command their orchestras like any professional, and in my case, left me inspired and awe-struck, hungry for bettering myself at their craft so I can one day be as good as them. And that my friends, is what it's all about. Inspiring the next generation of musicians so that the symphony may live another day.
John is an independent arranger, copyist, freelance musician and conductor residing in Western PA. He performs with the NSSB and RCYBB frequently, and can be seen at the podium sometimes in both ensembles...
Now, on to the "meat and potatoes", so to speak. A popular and common debate in our field today is women leading the symphony. You may have your opinions and reasons, hopefully in favor of these magnificent Maestra.
Back in October, and before in July I had the rare opportunity to see The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses in concert. What I had expected was something like the Video Games Live concerts. Fantastic playing by stellar musicians (our Pittsburgh Symphony is really one of the best in the world, no I'm not biased ;) ) and vivid gameplay videos to spark childhood memories. However, some of these I've seen on YouTube and unfortunately there seems to be more "leading the orchestra" rather than true conducting.
I went to the shows, imagining to be blown away by the music and the video, but bracing myself for rather uninspired conducting. My first thought when Maestra Noone walked on stage was. "How interesting, I've never seen a woman conduct a symphony before..." It took about four bars into the Overture for me to realize I was in for a treat being able to see this amazing musician working her magic. She was energetic, and lively, and breathed the music... She was the music, as every conductor strives to be. I walked away from that concert filled with nostalgia and, was surprisingly inspired, despite not thinking I would be at first.
A similar experience came with an equally energetic conductor in October when the show returned for its "Second Quest" At the podium was the show's orchestrator, Susie Benchasil Seiter. Though Noone had left the pulse more often, both women commanded the PSO with power, grace, and energy. Both represented the score on the page as well as any male conductor could have (perhaps even better...), and I rank them among the best conductors I've ever had the privilege to watch. They're not the best women conductors I've seen... They're some of the best conductors I have seen, period.
It should make no difference what they are or anything like that... They're fantastic conductors who command their orchestras like any professional, and in my case, left me inspired and awe-struck, hungry for bettering myself at their craft so I can one day be as good as them. And that my friends, is what it's all about. Inspiring the next generation of musicians so that the symphony may live another day.
John is an independent arranger, copyist, freelance musician and conductor residing in Western PA. He performs with the NSSB and RCYBB frequently, and can be seen at the podium sometimes in both ensembles...