Two weeks…two long weeks of no rehearsal while my students were busy putting on a musical.
Last night we got back together to rehearse, despite our mutual exhaustion from 3-show-weekends, DST, and a new trimester.
And: they sounded better.
They had practiced individually, which helped. But perhaps more important was they started off listening harder, coming at the rehearsal fresh without a familiar notion of what they were going to sound like.
Most important: as tired as they were, they were excited to be back with their ensemble, and work at making music. They have committed to this group and were excited to begin again on following through with that commitment.
I personally get a little…on edge…when we have to cancel rehearsal; the payoff is often worth it in a renewed sense of ensemble and momentum.