Orchestra conductor (Dirigent)
Information on this skill...
A conductor is the leader of an orchestra, choir or other type of music company. Another word for conductor is also called conservatories of conducting when we speak of a professional conductor, who has received training at a conservatory. In order to become a conductor, a course at the conservatory will have to be followed. It is the conductor who determines how a certain composition should be played. As a conductor you are not only an orchestra leader but also an important person with regard to the rehearsals. A conductor is recognizable to the audience by his baton, which is an important part of the work. With the baton, the conductor not only indicates the tempo of the music but also the emotion that belongs to the score (piece of music). The baton only became popular in the mid-19th century and was invented in the 17th century because a conductor with a stick always stomped on the floor to indicate the measure. For the stick it was quite normal to indicate the size with the hands. Nowadays, most conductors prefer to use a baton, because it is more visible to the musicians. Most conductors also play a musical instrument themselves and should therefore be seen as an all-round musician. Conducting as a conductor is a specialization that must suit the musician or conductor, because leading an orchestra or other type of music company is different from participating in an orchestra or music company. The most important task as a conductor is to perform a beautiful composition. In order to achieve this, a conductor will need to have management skills, because all orchestra members must do exactly what the conductor wants. If a certain part does not run well, in most cases this will be immediately audible.
A conductor is therefore an orchestra leader and musical director and can be seen as a manager. This is the case, as conductors are usually responsible for directing different musicians or musicians. Think, for example, of various violinists, trombonists, flautists and percussionists. All these different musicians can only make music in the right way if there is a conductor. As a conductor, you may be responsible for directing amateur orchestras or for directing professional orchestras. In general, orchestra members within an amateur orchestra are considered musicians. Musicians within a professional professional orchestra are more likely to be regarded as musicians. Another word for professional musicians can also be professional musicians. A conductor may also be responsible for directing a choir. In that case, a conductor will have to deal with different choir members, such as different singers and/or singers.
WORKING AS A CONDUCTOR
As a conductor you usually have to deal with different musicians and / or musicians, who regularly meet to hold rehearsals. This is important, because most musicians practice the composition at home. During the joint rehearsals, it is the conductor who will ensure that all musicians play in the right way, so that there is interplay. It is also the conductor who will alert musicians to possible mistakes. Optimizing the interplay is generally not easy. That is why it is so important that all orchestra members regularly hold rehearsals together. In most cases, several rehearsals will be held before the conductor and the orchestra members will be satisfied.
CONDUCTING
A conductor will use both hands during his conducting work. With the right hand, a conductor generally indicates the beat of the music and with the left hand the expression or character of the music. How exactly a conductor performs his conducting work can differ per conductor, because everyone has their preferences with regard to conducting. It is not the case that conductors are only responsible for indicating the correct notes or measure. Conductors are also responsible for bringing music to life by indicating the right expression. This relates, for example, to the loud or soft performance of certain pieces of music. Expression can also involve speeding up or decreasing the music tempo.
CONDUCTOR CHARACTERISTICS:
- Being able to lead
- Being able to stimulate people
- Must have insight and knowledge in the music
- Be stress resistant
- Have a good cultural knowledge
- Have a good condition
WHAT DOES A CONDUCTOR DO:
TRAINING TO BECOME A CONDUCTOR
There are various possibilities to be trained as a conductor. Most amateur conductors follow a course of one or two years up to the profession of conductor. Professional musicians follow the training during or after their training at the conservatory. For the conductor training, there are different directions possible that all have their own specialization, such as choir conductor or orchestra conductor. The different parts that are learned during the training include conducting technique, rehearsal technique and the knowledge of scores. Accounting is also important as an entrepreneur.
COMPANIES WHERE A CONDUCTOR CAN WORK
In general, conductors should be regarded as entrepreneurs. Conductors are generally responsible for directing and accompanying various orchestras. This can differ per conductor, because professional musicians usually have to deal with a permanent conductor. Conductors may also be responsible for directing a professional orchestra. In that case, the term Kapellmeister may also apply. Professional orchestras occur, for example, within the Ministry of Defence and the police.
COMPETENCES CONDUCTOR
As a conductor you are the leader of an orchestra and you radiate this. The authority as a conductor is very important to get everyone on board, so that the conductor plays as the conductor wishes. As a conductor you will often rehearse with the musicians and adjust the orchestra if necessary, so that the real performance goes as it should. In a general sense, a conductor must have good communication skills, because you are dealing with different musicians or musicians. Inspiration and motivation are also important words for a conductor. Generally important words are connecting, collaborating, insight, performance, professionalism, planning, passion, energy organizing and creativity.
LABOUR MARKET PERSPECTIVE AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS A CONDUCTOR
The labour market perspective of a conductor is generally reasonable. Most conductors start as conductors with small local music associations or choirs and grow when they have built up sufficient name recognition. Networking as a conductor is therefore very important to become known to the various music associations. As a conductor, it is hard work and constant learning to be asked for the large professional orchestras. In a general sense, a conductor does not really have to deal with a possible labour market perspective. This is the case, because most conductors must be regarded as entrepreneurs. An entrepreneur will have to determine his own labour market perspective by building a good name.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT AND SALARY OF CONDUCTOR
As a conductor you are usually self-employed and you rent yourself out to the orchestras at an hourly rate. As a conductor, you determine the terms of employment yourself. The income of a conductor is highly dependent on the conductor himself. Is it an amateur conductor or a professional conductor? As a professional conductor, the income can be high, but this is not feasible for most conductors, because the supply of orchestras is very limited and there are quite a lot of conductors.
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