The Art of the Conductor

Conducting is an art form in and of itself. Much like a painter needs his/her paintbrushes, a conductor needs his/her baton(s). Who else is going to keep a whole mess of people in time? It's some type of black magic and sorcery for sure... Speaking of sorcery..

Here is Mickey Mouse as the Sorcerer's Apprentice. Why did I put a picture of Mickey Mouse? To make a connection. Stay with me here:
I know he was working under a Sorcerer, but I think he was trying to learn to be a Conductor. Have you seen this movie? (Disney's Fantasia for those of you that did not know). He is working with music and keeping items in time and letting them know when to come in? Tell me I'm wrong!

I'm sure if Mickey knew Nan, he would leave the mean, boring, old Sorcerer, to study under the nice, fun, young (and super hip) Nan, one that wouldn't get mad at him for being creative--but one that is all about creativity and F U N!

Some of you might be thinking: "Okay Holly, that's all fine and dandy, isn't conducting just waving a stick and looking good? I mean how hard can it be?" and to you I say nay-nay, Dear Reader, please be patient and don't be silly!

Conducting is a hard, complex job that not all people can master. The word 'Conductor' is defined as "the art of directing the simultaneous performance of several players or singers by the use of gestures."  By the USE OF GESTURES. GESTURES, PEOPLE.

They're not TELLING people what to do, they're GESTURING to them to let them know what to do. Not only that, they need to follow and keep track of the music...of ALL the sections?! Okay, sorcerers, slow down. But of course, this is all on top of waving a little stick and looking good. You weren't completely wrong, but you were wrong enough for me to fight for these everyday musical Sorcerers.

How many Harry Potter fans do we have out there? You know the part when Harry goes into Ollivander's to get his wand and he's told that "you don't choose the wand, the wand chooses you"? It is very much the same for conductors. You don't choose the baton, the baton chooses you. When you hold the right baton in your hand, you know....or so I'm told. (I'm not a sorcerer...or a wizard for that matter). Wait there's not just one kind of baton? haha NOPE.

But, but, but let's not forget that a baton is not just a stick Conductors wave around for funsies, they serve a purpose. Let's talk about the technical definition really quick: "A baton is a stick used by conductors to enlarge and enhance the manual and bodily movements associated with directing an ensemble of musicians." SEE, not JUST any old stick, but a stick that enlarges and enhances things. How magical!

I bet some of you don't even realize how many different styles and sizes of batons there are..(look that up, it's fascinating). Sure, any amateur could run out in the yard and grab a stick and be fine with it, but a conductor will use something that fits them and their style of conducting perfectly....some even have a snazzy little case or might only even pull it out for special conducting occasions....BECAUSE THEY'RE PRECIOUS. --->



I don't want to get to involved with this discussion. You should hear it first hand from a professional who can tell you a lot more than I could tell you now....

IN FACT, you have an opportunity to hear it first hand from Nan herself--at Nan's talk on the art of conducting and more importantly, about being a Conductor!

Nan Talk- "The Art of the Conductor"

Thursday, November 1

7:00pm

PARC Building

(did I mention it is FREE?) 

Well, it's FREE.

See you there!

Fun Facts Courtesy of Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baton_(conducting)