As I’ve worked hard to disengage from my ensemble, and allow them to take more ownership of the music, I realized something.
Don’t make eye contact.
The truth is, a conductor who has a strong a relationship with his or her ensemble can express much musical direction directly through the eyes. Even with my hands at my sides, I discovered that my facial expressions were shaping the music. And if I want to be offstage with them singing effectively, that’s really bad news.
So. Don’t make eye contact.
Where early in the year I was working hard to look up, physicalize my conducting, engage directly, and create a bond, now I have to stand still and look down.
It feels terribly weird – but it’s only by disengaging in this way that I can empower my singers to engage in the music directly, with true ownership.