One of my goals as a conductor this year (I always set three personal goals alongside my students) is to back away. Give the ensemble more autonomy, more control, more time without me in front of them in concert.
It must be working, because when a sick kid kept me away from a concert last night, my students gave two excellent performances, according to all accounts.
It’s a challenging task – conductors are used to being in front of their ensemble in rehearsal, and the ensemble gets used to the security of their conductor in front of them. But with diligence and conscious effort, we can prepare the ensemble to perform without us.
That’s a good thing!
What are your strategies for empowering your students to sing without a conductor?