People love to share this memeified list of tempo definitions. I can’t say I agree with the sentiment, though.
If my choir needs to watch me every second, I’ve done something wrong in the rehearsal process.
If my choir watches me every second, they are seriously limited in their ability to emote, and to connect with both each other and the audience.
And if my choir only knows what tempo markings mean by watching me, then I have not given them the musical autonomy they need to continue making music when I’m not around.
It’s a funny meme, ha ha, but it’s also a sign of the autocratic approach to music making that I think limits the reach of choirs.
My goal as a conductor is to work as quickly as possible through the following stages.
- Active conductor, watched actively.
- Active conductor, watched in periphery.
- Passive conductor, available if needed.
- Absent conductor, watching from offstage.